Strategic IT Procurement Lead

VIA Rail Canada

Montreal (administrative region)

Hybrid

CAD 90,000 - 130,000

Full time

17 hours ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work options

Excellent pension & bonus program

Training & career development

Travel privileges

Job summary

VIA Rail Canada is seeking a Senior IT Procurement Specialist to lead procurement strategies for IT initiatives, including the Fleet Renewal Program. You will partner with stakeholders, draft contracts, and manage supplier relationships to optimize value and risk across complex IT projects.

The role requires strong knowledge of tender processes, negotiation, and SOW development, with collaboration across Legal and Finance teams.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Finance, or Legal Services, along with eight to ten years of experience preparing tender documents, requests for proposals (RFPs), evaluation grids, and managing contracts for IT goods and services.
Experience in preparing solicitation packages for projects and negotiations across various indirect procurement categories.

Responsibilities

Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, understand their needs, and recommend best practices.
Advise stakeholders throughout the procurement process and assist them in defining project scope and requirements.
Conduct market research and analysis to identify potential suppliers, assess competition, and evaluate associated risks.
Maintain in-depth knowledge of products and solutions available in the marketplace; recommend strategies and initiatives, identify opportunities and potential supplier market threats, and propose improvement solutions.
Coordinate complex projects with cross-functional teams involving multiple business units.
Plan, develop, and implement procurement strategies in collaboration with stakeholders for projects and acquisitions under their responsibility.
Establish timelines, priorities, and action plans to ensure the effective implementation of solutions and timely completion of procurement initiatives.
Ensure procurement activities are executed efficiently and within established governance requirements.
Support the Senior Manager, IT Procurement, in planning, preparing, and facilitating monthly and quarterly meetings with the IT teams they support to review upcoming contract renewals and identify new business needs.
Act as a facilitator in managing and resolving issues with suppliers and internal clients, while ensuring appropriate follow-up.
Support internal clients in the development of statements of work and technical specifications, conduct the necessary reviews, define the appropriate procurement strategy, and establish procurement timelines based on business requirements.
Prepare and issue solicitation documents, ensuring that requirements are clearly defined for professional services, goods, products, and other assigned initiatives.
Assess risks, recommend mitigation plans, and work closely with the Legal team to actively participate in the development, drafting, and review of contractual agreements and related documents.
Evaluate proposals and negotiate agreements to secure the best market terms and conditions, while making recommendations for executive approval.
Communicate and collaborate effectively with the Finance Centre of Expertise team, which is responsible for issuing purchase orders for goods and services following contract execution. Ensure that contractual commitments are accurately reflected in the purchase orders issued.
Coordinate contract renewals and amendments.
Implement the Supplier Performance Management policy with the designated suppliers within their assigned portfolio.
Support business units in the application and interpretation of contractual clauses.