Procurement Category Manager (NON-IT Categories)

Co-operators; Guelph; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Canadian financial services co-operative is seeking a Procurement Category Manager for NON-IT categories. This role involves developing category strategies, conducting negotiations, and delivering cost-saving initiatives. An ideal candidate has 6-9 years of experience and a related Bachelor's degree, focusing on stakeholder management and strategic sourcing efforts.

Benefits

Training and development opportunities

Flexible work options

Holistic health programs

Paid volunteer days

Comprehensive total rewards package

Qualifications

• 6-9 years of relevant experience in procurement.
• Experience in Financial Services or Insurance Industry is an asset.
• Globally recognized Procurement certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute Category Strategies for NON-IT categories.
• Lead contract negotiations and manage compliance.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and track savings.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Data analytics

Market analysis

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Science, Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Procurement

Master’s Degree

Tools

Procurement tools

Job description

Procurement Category Manager (NON-IT Categories)

Company: CGL
Department: Enterprise Procurement
Employment Type: Regular Full-Time
Work Model: Hybrid
Language: This role operates in English.
Additional Information: This/these role(s) is/are currently vacant

The Opportunity:

We are a leading Canadian financial services co-operative committed to being a catalyst for a sustainable and resilient society and our team is essential to deliver on this strategy. That’s why we prioritize our people, to ensure we provide a strong culture and development opportunities which enables our team to thrive and to live our purpose. The best part is that you will work with people that care passionately about you, our clients, and our communities. Our national Procurement team aspires to provide support and expertise to our business partners to enable their success. We think innovatively and work collaboratively to deliver flexible and sustainable solutions and are committed to adding value beyond expectation.

Our national Procurement and Workplace Services team aspires to provide support and expertise to our business partners to enable their success. We think innovatively and work collaboratively to deliver flexible and sustainable solutions and are committed to adding value beyond expectation.

As the Category Manager (NON-IT Categories) you will be responsible for supporting the development of Category Strategies, and for developing and executing key Strategic Sourcing initiatives across a variety of NON-IT related spend categories including, Claims, Professional Services, Staff Augmentation, Marketing, Human Resources, Facilities and Real Estate, and Business Operations. This role will focus on executing strategic, tactical and operational sourcing and procurement initiatives, including providing support with developing category and sourcing strategies, running competitive procurement events, negotiating contracts, ensuring compliance with procurement policies, driving cost savings, and supporting process improvement.

How you will create impact:

Category Strategy Development and Strategic Sourcing Execution

• Provide support in developing and implementing Category Strategies for NON-IT spend categories aligning with organizational objectives.
• Proactively conduct market research and share knowledge, insight and advice with businesses, contributing to the development of the annual pipeline of sourcing initiatives, integrating with the financial planning process.
• Lead initiatives to optimize sourcing processes, improve service levels, and reduce total cost of ownership.

Negotiations and Contract Management

• Lead contract negotiations to secure favorable terms on cost, quality, and delivery timelines.
• Work with internal Subject Matter Experts (SME) to ensure contract compliance and mitigate risks.
• Manage contract renewals, amendments, and ensure continuity of supply.

Cost Management and Savings Initiatives

• Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities through vendor consolidation, renegotiation, value engineering.
• Working closely with Finance, and track and report on savings achieved against annual targets.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to align category strategies with business needs.
• Provide procurement insights and market intelligence to influence decision-making.
• Develop and maintain relationships with vendors, ensuring strategic partnerships and performance monitoring.
• Conduct regular supplier performance reviews, track Service Level Agreements (SLAs), and drive improvements in supplier performance.
• Identify new supplier opportunities and manage Request for Proposals (RFPs) and competitive bidding processes.

Data Analytics and Reporting

• Use data analytics to monitor category spend, identify trends, and support decision-making.
• Regularly report on category performance, savings, and risk assessments to senior management.

How you will succeed:

You have an innovative mindset to improve operational efficiencies and ability to influence change, with a primary focus on client needs.

You use critical thinking skills to recognize assumptions, evaluate arguments, drawconclusionsand proactively propose solutions.

You have strong communication skills to clearly convey messages and explore diverse points of view.

You build trusting relationships and provide guidance to support the development of colleagues.

To join our team:

• You have a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Science, Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, or in a related field. Having a Master’s Degree is an asset.
• You have 6-9 years of relevant experience. Having Financial Services and/or Insurance Industry experience is an asset.
• Having a globally recognized Procurement certification is an asset.

Functional Knowledge

• You are proficient in procurement tools, and the ability to collaborate with technical and business stakeholders.
• You have demonstrated expertise in spend analysis, market benchmarking, and Request for Proposal (RFP) development to identify cost-saving opportunities and ensure competitive pricing.
• You have knowledge of procurement processes, contract negotiations, and vendor management, with a specific focus on NON-IT categories.
• You have familiarity with budgeting, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), and risk management to assess supplier capabilities and drive value.
• You have knowledge of compliance frameworks, and the ability to understand and navigate security and privacy requirements to align procurement activities with organizational policies and regulatory standards.

Business Expertise

• You demonstrate strong stakeholder management skills key to collaborating with business stakeholders, ensuring procurement decisions support business objectives and deliver measurable Return on Investments (ROI).
• You have a strong understanding of financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting to manage category spend effectively.
• You showcase the ability to assess market trends, evaluate innovation opportunities, and manage change for maintaining a competitive edge and supporting organizational agility.
• You have experience in aligning category strategies with overall organizational goals and driving value through cost optimization and risk management.
• You have expertise in market analysis and supplier negotiation to secure competitive contracts and ensure long-term vendor performance.

What you need to know:

• You will travel occasionally.
• This role involves direct contact with clients and/or service providers in their environment.
• You will be subject to a Criminal Record and Consumer History Background Check as a condition of employment, in the event you are the successful candidate.

What's in it for you?

Training and development opportunities to grow your career.

Flexible work options to support personal and family needs.

A holistic approach to your well-being, with physical and mental health programs and a supportive workplace culture.

Paid volunteer days to give back to your community.

In addition to our competitive salary and incentive programs, eligible employees also benefit from a comprehensive total rewards package including group retirement savings plans, pension and benefits (e.g., health and wellness, dental, disability and life coverage), mental health support and an employee assistance program.