Senior Procurement Specialist

Toronto Police Service; Toronto; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A municipal police service in Toronto is seeking a Senior Procurement Specialist. The successful candidate will lead high-value procurement projects, supervise staff, and ensure compliance with procurement regulations. Candidates should have extensive procurement experience and a degree in a relevant field. Strong negotiation and project management skills are essential. Join a commitment to public service in a diverse community-oriented environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of eight years of senior procurement experience including two years in a leadership role.
• Advanced understanding of procurement practices and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex procurement initiatives for goods and services.
• Negotiate with vendors and manage procurement processes.
• Supervise Procurement Specialist(s) and provide training related to purchasing.

Skills

Strong project management skills

Excellent negotiation and communication skills

Knowledge in business law and procurement law

Experience with proposals and tendering processes

Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Office, and Excel

Education

University degree in Business Administration, Commerce, Economics or related field

Designation with SCMA or NIGP preferred

Tools

Online purchasing systems

Financial systems

Contract management and procurement systems

Job description

The Toronto Police Service is looking for a candidate that shares our corporate values: Service at our Core Do the right thing Connect with Compassion Reflect and Grow.

The Toronto Police Service is the fourth largest municipal police service in North America. With over 5,000 officers and approximately 2,500 civilian employees, we are dedicated to delivering best-in-class police services, in partnership with our communities, by being where the public needs the Service the most, by embracing partnerships to create safe communities, and by focusing on the needs of the City.

The Opportunity

Are you a passionate public procurement leader seeking a great opportunity in providing professional expertise, by advising on all procurement activities within a centralized, electronic procurement environment? Do you have strong knowledge in the industries standards and best practices to achieve the goals of fair, open and transparent procurement practices? If so, we are excited to share with you an opportunity as a Senior Procurement Specialist for Purchasing Services with the Toronto Police Service.

What can I expect to do in this role?

As the Senior Procurement Specialist, you will be responsible for leading complex procurement initiatives for the acquisition of goods and services, including construction requirements. Reduces the organization's overall annual procurement costs through the effective consolidation of requirements, maximization of process efficiencies and the use of electronic purchasing technology.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Leads strategic, complex, high dollar value and/or high-risk procurement projects that have a material impact on the Service.
• Provides leadership and advice to the Service as it relates to procurement in areas such as, construction, information technology and policing equipment.
• Leads negotiations with vendors that have successfully achieved the necessary scores to be considered for award. These negotiations involve complex contract terms and conditions, pricing structure and service delivery models.
• Subject matter experts of the CETA and CFTA agreements and ensures adherence; knowledgeable in the industries standards and best practices; ensures compliance with the Service s financial by-laws; and benchmarks to achieve the goals of fair, open and transparent procurement practices.
• Oversees and leads strategic acquisitions for the Service, such as through the establishment of new Rosters and Prequalified vendor lists for services that are repeatedly utilized by the Service.
• Provides analytical and problem-solving support and/or manages the various purchasing methods and processes on a range of proposal or bid solicitations that are high-valued, complex and specialized.
• Provides support staff of Purchasing Services with direction, oversight, guidance, problem solving support, day-to-day counselling and assigns tasks, as required.
• Responsible for supervising Procurement Specialist(s) and completing the annual performance appraisal.
• Chairs proposal evaluation committees to ensure the process is open, fair, transparent and defensible.
• Develops and implements Service-wide training programs and policies related to purchasing.
• Delivers policy interpretation, advice and recommendations on procurement practices, planning methods and processes to clients.
• Provides guidance and consultation to clients on their operational and long-range business plans for procurement; validates business requirements and develops procurement plans and strategies.
• Identifies and assesses legal risks associated with procurement in order to minimize/mitigate the Service s exposure to procurement litigation. Liaises with City of Toronto Legal with respect to various complex procurement, issues, risks, and concerns.
• Identifies, recommends and implements process simplification, standardization and system automation.
• Manages vendors throughout the procurement process, including assisting or responding to bid complaints & bid disputes and/or enquiries and able to provide debriefings to unsuccessful bidders/proponents.
• Negotiates and mediates contract disputes and vendor performance issues with suppliers.
• Performs other typical duties and responsibilities inherent to the job on an as-requested basis.

Education/Experience:

• Minimum of eight years of senior procurement experience including two years of experience in a leadership role.
• University degree in Business Administration, Commerce, Economics or related field, or an approved equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Preference given to those with a designation and actively involved with either the Supply Chain Management Association (SCMA) as a Certified Supply Chain Management Professional (SCMP); or a designation with the National Institute of Government Purchasing (NIGP) as a Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) or equivalent designations.

Skills/Competencies:

• Strong project management skills to implement new programs and manage existing programs and multiple priorities.
• Knowledge and experience in business law, procurement law and its application to contracts, competitive bidding and procurement processes.
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills.
• Progressive experience with proposals and tendering processes including increasing complexity, size, specialization and resolving technical and regulatory issues.
• Excellent command of various computer applications, including online purchasing systems, financial systems, contract management and procurement systems, Microsoft Word, Office and Excel.

The Toronto Police Service is committed to reflecting the diverse communities we serve. We encourage applications from our diverse communities, including Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, women, persons from racialized groups, LGBTQ+ persons, those who are able to speak fluently in another language(s) and anyone committed to a rewarding career in public service.

THE TORONTO POLICE SERVICE SUPPORTS EQUAL OPPORTUNITY INITIATIVES.

Accommodations will be provided, in accordance with applicable legislation, at all stages of the hiring process.

Contact us for if you require an accommodation, and we will work with you to meet your needs.