Senior Specialist, Procurement

CN; Montreal; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in transportation seeks a Senior Specialist in Procurement to develop innovative strategies that deliver sustainable value. The role involves supplier negotiations, contract management, and collaboration with internal stakeholders to enhance procurement processes.

Qualifications

• 1 to 3 years of experience in a similar procurement role.

Responsibilities

• Develop procurement category strategy and supplier market knowledge.
• Negotiate contracts with suppliers and manage supplier performance.
• Conduct data analytics during different stages of sourcing.

Skills

Critical thinking

Effective communication

Leadership

Agility

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

Bachelor’s Degree in Law

Tools

SAP

Ariba

Fieldglass

Job description

At CN, every day brings new and exciting challenges. You can expect an interesting environment where you’re part of making sure our business is running optimally and safely—helping keep the economy on track. We provide the kind of paid training and opportunities that long-term careers are built on, and we recognize hard workers who strive to make a difference. You will be able to thrive in our close-knit, safety-focused culture working together as ONE TEAM. The careers we offer are meaningful because the work we do matters. Join us!

Job Summary

The Senior Specialist, Procurement supports the development, analysis, and execution of innovative procurement strategies that deliver sustainable enterprise value, including achieving cost reduction targets. The role monitors the delivery of key contracts, captures financial savings through negotiation of contract terms and conditions, and monitors supplier performance. Additionally, the incumbent works with the Category Manager to analyze and present data during the baseline, strategize, and deliver phases of the category management process, develop sourcing project plans, prepare procurement process documentation, and lead the event through to evaluation and final recommendation.

Main Responsibilities

1. Interact with internal stakeholders, understand their needs, and promote value creation.
2. Conduct data analytics during different stages of the sourcing process.
3. Develop the procurement category strategy and supplier market knowledge related to locomotive parts and services.
4. Build and handle the RFx process to evaluate supplier responses and prepare business cases for management approval.
5. Negotiate contracts with suppliers (e.g., commercial and legal clauses).
6. Lead contracts, supplier relationships, and supplier performance management.
7. Collaborate with Buyers to ensure all rates and agreements are appropriately administered in the Purchase to Pay (P2P) process (i.e., SAP, Ariba, Fieldglass).
8. Ensure compliance with procurement policies and internal requirements.
9. Participate in and support department-wide projects.

Working Conditions

The role has standard office environment conditions with a regular workweek from Monday to Friday. It requires minimal travel (up to 20%) within North America and abroad. Due to the nature of the role, the incumbent must meet tight deadlines, handle pressure and stress with shifting priorities.

Requirements

Experience

1 to 3 years of experience in a similar procurement role.

Education/Certification/Designation

Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Law, or equivalent.

Competencies

• Knowledge of the business and industry needs.
• Critical thinking skills.
• Active listening skills.
• Ability to identify needs and find solutions creating stakeholder value.
• Effective communication skills.
• Collaborative mindset and information sharing.
• Agility and change management.
• Leadership and inspiration skills.

Technical Skills/Knowledge

• Understanding of contractual terms, SOWs, MOUs, LOIs.
• Knowledge of financial aspects like NPV, TCO, CPI, PPI.
• Ability to analyze market trends, costs, and suppliers.
• Proficiency with data tools and data presentation.
• Knowledge of strategic sourcing, P2P, and supplier performance principles.
• Basic understanding of incoterms, customs, and documentation for North American and international delivery.
• Knowledge of product/service categories and industry specifics such as rail transportation or logistics (asset).

About CN

CN is a world-class transportation leader and trade enabler. It safely transports over 300 million tons of resources and goods across North America annually. Connecting Canada’s coasts with the U.S. via a 19,500-mile rail network, CN has contributed to community prosperity and sustainable trade since 1919. Committed to social responsibility and environmental stewardship, CN works as ONE TEAM focused on safety, sustainability, and customer service, delivering operational and supply chain excellence.