Senior Category/Contracts Manager

ML6 Search + Talent Advisory; Mississauga; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

ML6 Search + Talent Advisory represents a leading homebuilding organization in the GTA seeking a commercially minded Senior Manager, Strategic Sourcing & Category Management. The role focuses on evolving procurement, cost optimization and supplier collaboration across Engineering, Product Development and Manufacturing.

You will lead end-to-end sourcing, develop BOM and cost models, and influence design and build decisions to drive value.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in strategic sourcing or procurement in a complex manufacturing environment.
• Experience with BOMs, cost drivers and supplier negotiations.
• Proven ability to develop cost models and should-cost analyses.
• Strong Excel and PowerPoint skills; ability to partner across functions.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of strategic categories and supplier relationships.
• Lead RFQs, tenders, evaluations and contract awards.
• Develop BOM insights and cost optimization opportunities.
• Build cost models and scenario analyses to guide decisions.
• Partner with Engineering, Product Development, Operations, Manufacturing.
• Drive cost reduction, standardization and scalable procurement processes.
• Monitor market trends and supplier performance.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

BOM analysis

Cost modeling

Supplier management

RFx / RFP

Cross-functional collaboration

Data-driven decisions

Should-cost analysis

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

ERP systems

Job description

Our client is a leading organization within the residential homebuilding industry and is seeking a commercially minded and analytical procurement professional to join its GTA operations.

Reporting to the Vice President, Procurement, the Senior Manager, Strategic Sourcing & Category Management will play a key role in evolving the organization's procurement function and supporting new approaches to how homes and building components are designed, sourced and delivered.

This is an opportunity for someone who understands how complex products are designed, costed, sourced and manufactured, and who can bring that expertise into a highly collaborative and evolving environment.

The successful candidate will bring experience from a complex manufacturing, engineered product, industrial, automotive, building products, infrastructure or similarly sophisticated environment. You will have a strong understanding of bill of materials (BOMs), product and component costing, strategic sourcing, supplier management and cost optimization.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Manage a portfolio of strategic categories, commodities and supplier relationships, ensuring effective sourcing strategies and reliable execution.
• Lead end-to-end sourcing initiatives, including RFQs/RFPs, tendering, supplier evaluation, negotiations and contract awards.
• Develop a detailed understanding of product structures, materials, components and key cost drivers, using BOM and cost analysis to identify opportunities for optimization.
• Build and utilize cost models, should-cost analyses and scenario planning to support sourcing decisions, supplier strategies and broader business initiatives.
• Partner closely with Engineering, Product Development, Construction, Architecture and Manufacturing teams to evaluate new products, materials, specifications and building methods.
• Apply a strong commercial lens to design and product decisions, identifying opportunities for value engineering, cost reduction, standardization and improved scalability.
• Analyze make-versus-buy opportunities, supplier capabilities and alternative sourcing strategies.
• Develop business cases and recommendations that balance cost, quality, supply reliability, customer value, constructability and sustainability.
• Prepare and present cost models, sourcing strategies, supplier recommendations and trade-off analyses to senior leadership.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders to improve service, innovation, quality and execution.
• Support initiatives related to advanced manufacturing, prefabrication, modular construction and new approaches to homebuilding.
• Monitor market trends, material costs, supplier performance and emerging technologies to identify opportunities and mitigate risk.
• Drive continuous improvement across sourcing processes, supplier strategies and procurement practices.

What You'll Need to Be Successful:

• 7+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, commodity management, supply chain, engineering, project management or a related discipline.
• Experience within a complex manufacturing, engineered product, industrial, automotive, building products, infrastructure or similarly sophisticated environment.
• Strong understanding of bill of materials (BOMs), product/component costing and the key drivers that influence product and material costs.
• Experience managing direct materials, commodities, engineered components or complex supplier categories.
• Demonstrated experience leading sourcing initiatives, supplier negotiations, RFx processes and contract awards.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, with the ability to analyze cost breakdowns, develop cost models and make data-driven recommendations.
• Experience partnering cross-functionally with Engineering, Product Development, Operations, Manufacturing and Supply Chain teams.
• Strong understanding of should-cost analysis, value engineering, make-versus-buy decisions and cost optimization.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, stakeholders, timelines and initiatives simultaneously.
• Strong analytical skills with advanced proficiency in Excel and the ability to communicate complex information clearly through PowerPoint and executive-level presentations.
• A naturally curious and improvement-oriented mindset, with an interest in new materials, technologies, manufacturing methods and supplier models.