Senior Category Specialist

OLG; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 66,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading gaming organization based in Ontario is looking for a Senior Category Specialist to drive strategic sourcing efforts. This role requires 3-5 years of relevant sourcing experience and a degree in Supply Chain or Business. You will analyze data to inform business decisions and manage vendor relationships. The position offers a flexible work environment, competitive compensation, and benefits including a public service pension plan.

Benefits

Flexible Work Environment

Public Service Pension Plan

Access to online learning programs

Performance-based incentives

Qualifications

• 3-5+ years sourcing experience, preferably in the Information Technology domain.
• Experience with spend analytics and identifying savings opportunities.
• Knowledge of Procurement Law is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Support the development of the overall category strategy through data analysis.
• Manage existing contracts to ensure supplier performance.
• Participate in various sourcing events to select vendors.

Skills

Strong analytics skills

Excellent stakeholder management

Contract negotiation skills

Problem solving skills

Strong communication skills

Education

University Degree (Supply Chain or Business)

SCMA Certification

Tools

Excel

Job description

Range:

66,400.00 - 99,600.00 CAD

Job Description:

Senior Category Specialist

GAME ON – OLG needs you

We’ve said GAME ON, and we mean it – OLG is rapidly transforming its organization to better serve Ontarians by delivering great gaming experiences through our digital, retail lottery, and land-based gaming channels. Over the course of fiscal 2023-24, OLG delivered a record $2.4 billion in net profit to the Province of Ontario. OLG is now expanding our horizons even further, with a new strategic direction that builds on successes to date as a world class gaming entertainment leader with a globally admired omni-channel platform.

We are ready to take this game to the next level and need a passionate Senior Category Specialist to support the category management team to drive informed business decisions in the assigned category area(s) by bringing category expertise and assisting in the development of a specific category strategy in line with the needs of the organization. Actively contribute to a positive, productive, and innovative work environment to build strong, collaborative relationships with both internal and external stakeholders. .

YOUR ROLE IN THE GAME

Reporting to the Director Category Management, you will be empowered to:

Category & Specification Strategy

· Supports the development of the overall category strategy for assigned category area(s) through fact-based research and in-depth qualitative analysis of the category.

· Responsible for analyzing data to identify trends, creating and interpreting fact-based reports, and supporting the category management team in developing and executing strategies to achieve operational and financial excellence, mitigate risk and improve supplier performance.

· Performs research in support of these efforts, such as gathering internal and external data comprised of historical spend, budget forecasts and operating plans, economic and market trends, and supplier performance.

· Supports the strategic sourcing efforts by participating in the various steps of the process, as directed by the Category Manager and/or Director.

· Develops sourcing strategies for assigned sourcing events, such as SSRs, RFIs, RFQs and low risk RFPs.

· Develops insights about assigned categories, supplier relationships, and performance that informs business decision making.

· Develops the negotiation strategy and supports the negotiation of commercial agreements with suppliers through an end to end Source to Contract methodology.

· Supports the Category Manager in meeting with the divisional stakeholders by providing necessary reporting and insights on the assigned category area(s).

· Provides insights to support the Category Manager in maintaining and updating the Category Sourcing Plan for the assigned category area(s) to ensure strategies remain relevant to industry trends.

· Uses tools and techniques to profile; benchmark; research and assess the market for assigned category area(s); risks; competition; trends and new opportunities in order to ensure Category Plans remain relevant.

Supplier Selection

· Responsible for the execution of assigned sourcing events (SSRs, RFIs, RFQs and low risk RFPs) within assigned category area(s) to select vendor(s) for contract negotiation. Leverage alternate approaches to best support an efficient and transparent procurement process such as eProcurement tools & technology.

· Recommends the favorable sourcing approach, taking into consideration feedback from the divisional end users, the overall category strategy, market insights and previous sourcing events, and conducts / coordinates the selected tendering approach on their behalf to drive optimal third-party vendor relationships based on requirements.

Supplier & Contracts Management

· Supports the management of existing contracts in assigned category area(s) to ensure supplier performance, contract compliance, and optimization of contract terms.

· Throughout the execution of assigned contracts, ensures that the necessary evidences of changes, amendments or any significant events or shortcomings on the front of performance of contractual obligations are addressed, retained for records and are resolved in accordance with the policies in place in the organization.

Relationship Management

· Participates in relevant division business planning and review sessions to stay aligned with their priorities, current state of affairs, and upcoming changes.

· Supports operations improvement projects, including cost reduction, optimization, cost/benefit analyses · Stays up to date with market trends in assigned category area(s) to ensure the business is being supported in the right way, by the right vendors.

Continuous Improvement:

· Foster a culture of continuous improvement by leveraging LEAN type thinking to encouraged and recognize opportunities to generate and implement innovative ideas.

Culture of Engagement:

· Foster an environment that encourages employee engagement and motivates team members to perform at their very best.

· Lead business users through the sourcing process by demonstrating strong procurement knowledge and necessary meeting management skills.

· Focus on personal career development and pursuing opportunities to increase relevant knowledge and skills.

· Support OLG talent management succession planning strategy, by making sure capable people are identified and have action plans in place that align to individual and organizational needs.

WHAT YOU NEED TO PLAY

Work Experience: · 3-5+ years Sourcing experience with identified category, Sourcing experience in the Information Technology domain will be an asset. · 2+ Years Procurement Management Experience · Experience with spend analytics and identifying savings opportunities · Knowledge of Procurement Law and/or Procurement practices are an asset.

· Experience in reviewing competitive documents against vendor proposals is an asset. · Sound knowledge of all OLG Operations in relation to Procurement and contractual requirements and/or government procurement would be an asset.

Education: · University Degree (Supply Chain or Business preferred) · SCMA Certification an asset · Knowledge of the source to contract process · In depth knowledge of sourcing within applicable category

Critical Skills: · Strong analytics skills, including using Excel to analyze procurement spend · Skilled qualitative analysis, including in market research to identify trends and opportunities · Strong problem solving skills · Skilled in contract negotiations and editing · Excellent stakeholder management skills to lead cross functional teams · Strong negotiation skills · Excellent organizational skills. · Excellent written and oral communication skills. · Results oriented individual with superior customer service skills and proven ability to work in a team environment.

Negotiation and Influence : ability to negotiate and influence effectively while being open to perspectives and maintaining strong relationships

Strategic Thinker : strong strategic and critical thinker with ability to delve into unique challenges and find creative solutions

Collaboration & Fun : inclusive and collaborative work style while creating fun and excitement in our work

Integrity and Trust : do what's right and operate with transparency and openness

PERKS OF JOINING OUR TEAM

• Part of a Bigger Picture: socially responsible company that gives back all its profits to the province and people of Ontario
• Flexible Work Environment: to help balance both work and life
• You Matter: family friendly work practices and hybrid work
• Freedom to Innovate: supports new and better ways to be successful
• Be your Authentic Self: environment that values diversity as a source of strength
• Learning Galore: 24-7 access to robust online learning programs
• Public Service Pension Plan: participate in a major defined benefit pension plan sponsored by the Government of Ontario
• Variable Pay Program: performance-based incentives to share in our success (Permanent OLG Employees Only)

Learn about OLG – GAME ON!

OLG’s purpose is to contribute to a better Ontario by delivering great entertainment experiences for our customers. We are a multi-billion-dollar organization with a wide array of business lines including, lottery, land-based casinos, digital lottery and casino, horseracing, and charitable gaming. OLG is amidst a massive transformation focusing on being customer obsessed and bringing our digital business to a whole new level.

The key to our success is our people. Our culture will be grounded in true, positive partnerships that embrace trust, clarity, and openness in all that we do. We are supporting and empowering employees and teams across the organization through greater accountability, leadership development and growth opportunities. OLG is embracing more flexible work options and family friendly work practices including hybrid work.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential elements of our culture and cornerstones of the Five Truths that OLGers Live by. At OLG, our employees have the space to be themselves and use their perspectives and skills to benefit the people and the Province of Ontario.

While we are re-shaping and growing our business, we are unwavering when it comes to living our purpose, and ensuring our business delivers meaningful benefits for the people of Ontario. OLG’s net profits are reinvested back into the province, contributing to the quality of life for Ontarians.

To learn more about OLG go to our website at www.olg.ca

We look forward to hearing from you, interested applicants please apply online by August 26, 2025.

OLG is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing employment accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Please contact Human Resources at [e-mail] if you require accommodation at any time throughout the hire process .

We thank you for your interest in this opportunity; however only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

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Personal information is collected by the Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corporation (OLG) and/or its third party service provider(s) under the authority of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation Act, 1999, SO 1999, c 12, Sch L and the Employment Standards Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 41 (as amended) and will be used for the purpose of determining qualifications for employment with OLG and for recruitment modernization initiatives. The information will be managed in accordance with all applicable laws, OLG’s Protection of Privacy Policy (the Policy) and related policies and procedures. For any questions about this collection, please contact [e-mail], 800-70 Foster Drive, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, P6A 6V2.