Senior Procurement Specialist, AVP Strategy Enterprise Comm

University of Calgary; Calgary; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Calgary is seeking two Full-time Limited Term Senior Procurement Specialists for approximately 12 months within Supply Chain Management. You will procure materials, services, and equipment in a compliant, cost-effective manner while supporting campus stakeholders.

This role requires strong collaboration and delivery of high-quality customer service in a dynamic environment. Ideal candidates have 5–7 years in procurement, experience with RFQs/RFPs, and ERP procure-to-pay

Qualifications

• University or post secondary education in Business, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management or a related discipline is required.
• Five to seven years of progressive experience in procurement or supply chain management with high value/high risk procurements.
• Experience leading end-to-end competitive procurement (RFQs, RFPs, tenders) in compliance with policy and trade agreements.
• Experience advising internal clients, evaluating competitive submissions, and developing defensible award recommendations.
• Hands-on experience with ERP procure-to-pay (e.g., PeopleSoft) is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Oversee preparation and execution of competitive procurement documents (RFQs, RFPs, tenders) with policy and trade compliance.
• Lead development and improvement of contractual and sourcing requirements; provide guidance on complex procurements.
• Lead supplier interviews, negotiations, and debriefs to enhance performance and strategic sourcing.
• Identify cost savings, value creation, and process improvements aligned with total cost management.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

ERP/Procure-to-Pay

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Operations/Supply Chain or related

SCMP designation asset

Tools

PeopleSoft Financials

Job description

Description

Supply Chain Management within AVP Strategy Enterprise Comm is currently seeking 2 Full-time Limited Term Senior Procurement Specialists for approximately 12 months with the potential for extension.

Reporting to leadership within Supply Chain Management, the Senior Procurement Specialist is responsible for procuring materials, supplies, equipment and services in the most cost-effective manner and compliant manner for the University. The role requires strong collaboration skills and a commitment to delivering high-quality customer service to a diverse group of campus stakeholders. This position works closely with members of the Supply Chain Management team including Procurement Services, Card & Supplier Services, Distribution Services, as well as with internal clients across the institution. The Senior Procurement Specialist operates in a dynamic, high-volume, and complex environment and must effectively manage competing priorities and deadlines.

Summary of Key Responsibilities

(job functions include but are not limited to):

• Oversee the preparation and execution of competitive procurement documents (e.g., RFQs, RFPs, tenders), ensuring compliance with the University's policies, government regulations, and applicable trade agreements and legislation.
• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the University's contractual and sourcing requirements, providing expert guidance on complex and high risk procurement activities.
• Lead supplier interviews, negotiations, and debriefs to enhance supplier performance, address service issues, and support the development of new or strategic sources of supply.
• Lead the identification and implementation of cost saving, value creation, and process improvement initiatives that support institutional objectives and total cost management principles.

Procurement Governance, Risk and Compliance Advisory

• Provide expert advisory support on procurement governance and risk by interpreting and applying institutional policies, trade agreements (e.g., CFTA, CETA, NWPTA), and public sector procurement requirements, and by guiding internal stakeholders on appropriate sourcing strategies for complex, high value, or sensitive procurements.
• Support institutional compliance and research funding requirements by advising on procurement approaches related to research, scientific, and externally funded initiatives (e.g., grant funded or CFI funded projects), ensuring alignment with sponsor conditions, audit expectations, and university governance frameworks.
• Provide senior level advisory support to internal stakeholders by reviewing, analyzing, and evaluating competitive submissions, quotations, and tenders, and by facilitating evaluation processes and consensus based award recommendations.

Capability Building and Continuous Improvement

• Act as a trusted subject matter expert and representative of Supply Chain Management, promoting effective collaboration and strong relationships between SCM, suppliers, and institutional stakeholders.
• Mentor and provide informal leadership to procurement colleagues by sharing subject matter expertise, best practices, and lessons learned, and by contributing to the continuous development of procurement capability, consistency, and professionalism within the Supply Chain Management function.
• Identify, assess, and recommend improvements to procurement procedures, systems, and practices based on operational experience, emerging best practices, and institutional needs.
• Participate in special projects and initiatives as required in support of institutional or Supply Chain Management priorities.

Qualifications / Requirements

Education:

• University or post secondary education in a relevant field such as Business, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management or a related discipline is required.
• Professional designation (e.g., SCMP) is considered an asset. An equivalent combination of education and directly related experience may be considered.

Experience:

• Five (5) to seven (7) years of progressive experience in procurement or supply chain management, with demonstrated responsibility for complex, high value, or high risk procurements.
• Experience leading end to end competitive procurement processes, including RFQs, RFPs, and tenders, in compliance with institutional policy, public sector legislation, and applicable trade agreements (e.g., CFTA, CETA, NWPTA).
• Proven experience providing senior level advisory support to internal clients, including reviewing and evaluating competitive submissions, supporting evaluation committees, and developing defensible award recommendations.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating commercial terms and conditions, managing contract execution, and administering contracts throughout their lifecycle.
• Experience supporting procurement activities in a complex, decentralized organization such as a university, broader public sector, or similarly regulated environment.
• Experience advising on procurement approaches for research, scientific, or externally funded initiatives (e.g., grant funded or CFI funded projects) is considered an asset.
• Hands on experience working within an ERP based procure to pay environment, such as PeopleSoft Financials, including Purchasing and Accounts Payable, is an asset.

Skills:

• Advanced analytical, problem solving, and critical thinking skills, with the ability to assess complex procurement scenarios, evaluate risk, and recommend sound sourcing and contracting strategies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly articulate procurement requirements, evaluation outcomes, and recommendations to diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and collaboration skills, with demonstrated ability to lead cross functional teams and build consensus.
• Strong systems literacy, including experience working within ERP based procure to pay environments.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel, Word, and SharePoint.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a team based, service oriented environment while managing multiple priorities.

Application Deadline

October 2, 2026

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase 3.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy ii' taa'poh'to'p committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ([e-mail]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to People & Culture ([e-mail]).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.