Senior Specialist Procurement Category

CN; Quebec; Hybrid; CAD 95,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

CN in Canada seeks an experienced Strategic Procurement professional to lead end-to-end category management, develop sourcing strategies, and drive RFx events that deliver measurable savings while supporting safe rail operations.

You will coach procurement specialists, promote compliance and best practices, analyze data with AI-enabled insights, and collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Finance, and corporate partners across North America.

Qualifications

• 4+ years in procurement, supply chain operations, or related field.
• Experience leading complex sourcing events and contract negotiations.
• Track record of delivering savings and total cost of ownership benefits.
• Education or training equivalent to the stated requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of category procurement strategies.
• Drive end-to-end RFx processes from strategy to award.
• Perform spend analytics, market intelligence, and TCO modelling.
• Develop business cases with quantified value propositions.
• Negotiate contracts with suppliers on commercial, legal, financial terms.
• Structure agreements balancing risk, value, and service levels.
• Manage supplier performance against KPIs and conduct reviews.
• Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation and sustainability.
• Coach Procurement Specialists and promote compliance.
• Analyze data to determine risks and mitigations.
• Use data, digital tools, and AI to improve sourcing outcomes.
• Develop project plans with timelines and milestones.

Skills

Procurement analytics

ERP systems

Contract negotiations

Category management

Data analysis

AI-enabled procurement

Bilingual EN/FR

Education

Bachelor's in SCM

MBA or CPSM/CIPS

Tools

SAP

Ariba

Fieldglass

Job description

Job Summary

The incumbent is responsible for leading end-to-end category procurement activities that deliver measurable commercial value, support safe and reliable rail operations, and strengthen supplier performance across CN. Working within the category management framework, the role independently develops sourcing strategies, leads complex RFx events, negotiates supplier agreements, manages supplier relationships, and supports business partners across Engineering, Mechanical, Operations, Finance, and corporate functions. The role also coaches Procurement Specialists, promotes procurement compliance and best practices, and contributes to process, digital, and AI-enabled improvements across the sourcing lifecycle.

Main Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of category procurement strategies aligned with business objectives
• Drive end-to-end RFx processes from strategy formulation through supplier selection and award
• Perform advanced spend analytics, market intelligence, and total cost modelling to identify opportunities and support sourcing decisions
• Develop business cases with quantified value propositions for management approval
• Negotiate contracts with suppliers covering commercial, legal, financial, operational, and risk-related terms
• Structure agreements that balance risk, value, service levels, quality, and operational requirements
• Manage supplier performance against contractual obligations and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), including supplier business reviews and improvement action plans
• Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation, partnership development, sustainability improvement, and total cost of ownership reduction
• Coach and support Procurement Specialists while promoting procurement best practices, policy compliance, and knowledge sharing within the team
• Analyze complex data to determine risks and exposures and recommend holistic mitigation measures to protect CN's interests
• Use procurement technologies, data, and AI-enabled opportunities to generate insights, improve outcomes, and increase sourcing lifecycle efficiency
• Develop project plans with defined timelines, prioritize tasks, monitor progress against milestones, address issues proactively, and elevate when required

Working Conditions

The role has standard working conditions in an office environment with a regular workweek from Monday to Friday and is eligible to participate in CN's hybrid work model. The role requires travel up to 10% within North America.

Experience

Strategic Procurement or Supply Chain Operations

• Minimum 4 years of progressive experience in procurement, supply chain operations, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience leading complex sourcing events and contract negotiations*
• Track record of delivering measurable savings, value improvements, supplier performance outcomes, and total cost of ownership benefits*
• Candidates with an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered
• Any requirement marked with (*) will be considered an asset (not mandatory)

Education/Certification/Designation

• Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Finance, or related field
• Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master's degree, professional procurement certification (SCMP, CPSM, CIPS), or professional designation (CPA, CFA)*
• Candidates with equivalent practical experience, education, or training will be considered
• Any requirement marked with (*) will be considered an asset (not mandatory)

Competencies

• We Care About Each Other
• We Strive for Excellence
• We Succeed Together
• We Lead Responsibly
• Compliance
• Business acumen
• Process optimization
• High
• Negotiation

Technical Skills/Knowledge

• Advanced proficiency in procurement analytics and spend management tools
• Experience with ERP and source-to-contract platforms, including SAP, Ariba, and Fieldglass
• Strong financial acumen and ability to develop compelling business cases using cost-benefit analysis and quantified value propositions
• Advanced knowledge of category management, sourcing, contracting, pricing models, contract terms, and supplier performance management
• Knowledge of CN's procurement policies, compliance standards, risk management practices, and applicable regulatory requirements
• Ability to use data, digital tools, and AI-enabled opportunities to improve sourcing outcomes and process efficiency
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to influence stakeholders and support negotiations with clear rationale
• Bilingualism in English and French*
• Any requirement marked with (*) will be considered an asset (not mandatory)