Procurement Specialist
Job Summary
The opportunity
The Procurement Specialist delivers procurement and commercial outcomes across assigned categories portfolios and functional priorities. The role manages sourcing contracting renewals supplier performance reporting and governance activities while contributing to initiatives that strengthen procurement tools processes insights and ways of working.
Working within established policies and approval authorities the Procurement Specialist independently leads assigned work of appropriate scope and complexity and supports broader or more complex priorities in partnership with Category Managers and procurement leadership. Individual assignments may place greater emphasis on day-to-day commercial delivery category support supplier management data and reporting or procurement transformation based on business needs and team priorities.
The role combines sound procurement judgment strong stakeholder partnership and a continuous-improvement mindset to deliver value manage risk and improve the effectiveness and maturity of the Procurement function.
Who youll work with
The Procurement Specialist sits within the Procurement team and reports to the Director Strategic Procurement. The role works closely with Category Managers procurement leadership and other procurement colleagues to deliver assigned commercial and functional priorities.
The role works regularly with business stakeholders and partners across Finance Legal Risk Compliance and other functions to support sourcing contracting renewals supplier management and procurement governance activities. Externally the role works directly with suppliers and service providers throughout the procurement lifecycle.
What youll do
Procurement & Sourcing Execution
Manage assigned procurement activities and categories of appropriate scope and complexity from intake and planning through sourcing negotiation contracting implementation and renewal.
Lead competitive sourcing activities for assigned spend including RFIs RFPs RFQs supplier evaluations and commercial negotiations.
Partner with Category Managers and procurement leadership on broader higher-risk or more complex initiatives contributing analysis planning documentation coordination and commercial recommendations.
Work with stakeholders to understand requirements timelines and commercial objectives and translate them into effective procurement approaches.
Conduct market and supplier research to support sourcing decisions and identify potential suppliers and commercial opportunities.
Support the evaluation of supplier proposals commercial terms pricing and total cost considerations.
Deliver value through competitive sourcing negotiation demand discipline cost optimization and effective supplier management.
Contracting & Renewals
Manage lower-complexity contract and renewal activities coordinating with business stakeholders Legal Risk and other partners as .
Maintain visibility of upcoming contract expiries and renewals and proactively initiate procurement activity to support timely completion.
Coordinate commercial and contractual discussions with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
Support Category Managers with contracting activities for larger or more complex supplier engagements.
Ensure required procurement contracting risk and approval activities are completed before commitments are made.
Maintain accurate and complete contract and procurement documentation.
Category & Stakeholder Support
Provide flexible procurement support across categories based on business demand procurement priorities and team capacity.
Support Category Managers with spend analysis demand planning supplier research market intelligence and other category management activities.
Respond to day-to-day stakeholder procurement needs and provide practical guidance on procurement processes and requirements.
Build effective working relationships with stakeholders and provide responsive commercially focused procurement support.
Identify when procurement activities involve greater complexity or risk and engage the appropriate Category Manager or procurement leader.
Supplier Management
Support supplier governance and performance management activities across assigned spend.
Monitor supplier performance against agreed expectations KPIs service levels and contractual commitments where applicable.
Coordinate supplier performance reviews follow-up actions and issue resolution.
Support Category Managers in managing more strategic or higher-risk supplier relationships.
Identify opportunities to improve supplier performance commercial outcomes and overall value.
Procurement Operations Governance & Reporting
Maintain accurate procurement records sourcing documentation contract information and system updates.
Maintain visibility of sourcing contracting and renewal activity and provide regular updates on status actions and upcoming requirements.
Support procurement reporting spend analysis pipeline management and tracking of value delivered.
Ensure procurement activities comply with applicable policies intake processes approval requirements and documentation standards.
Support audit readiness by maintaining complete and accurate procurement records.
Identify and implement practical opportunities to improve procurement processes tools reporting documentation knowledge and stakeholder experience.
Functional Improvement & Transformation
Lead or support defined improvement initiatives with clear objectives timelines deliverables and measures of success.
Develop or refine templates playbooks dashboards reports guidance training materials and knowledge resources that strengthen consistent procurement execution.
Analyze spend pipeline supplier process and performance information and translate findings into practical recommendations for procurement leadership and stakeholders.
Support the rollout and adoption of new tools processes reporting approaches and governance requirements through communication documentation feedback and follow-up.
Contribute to business cases executive-ready materials progress updates and benefit tracking for priority procurement initiatives.
Decision making and accountability
The Procurement Specialist independently plans and delivers assigned sourcing contracting supplier reporting and improvement activities within established policies approval authorities and agreed priorities. The role determines appropriate day-to-day approaches evaluates commercial information recommends actions and coordinates stakeholders to resolve issues. Matters involving material financial exposure elevated risk policy exceptions or significant enterprise impact are referred to procurement leadership and relevant control partners with clear analysis and recommendations. The role has no direct people-management accountability but provides leadership through ownership of assigned work coordination subject-matter contribution and influence.
What youll need
University degree in business supply chain finance commerce or a related discipline or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Professional procurement supply chain or project management certification is considered an asset.
Solid knowledge of procurement and strategic sourcing practices including requirements gathering market assessment competitive sourcing supplier evaluation negotiation and value tracking.
Sound understanding of commercial and contractual concepts process improvement procurement governance reporting and change adoption with the judgment to identify when specialist support is .
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate commercial information and translate it into practical recommendations.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple sourcing contracting renewal and stakeholder activities concurrently.
Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills with a practical responsive and service-oriented approach.
Working knowledge of procurement systems sourcing tools and standard business applications used for sourcing spend analysis reporting and contract management.
Approximately five years of experience in procurement category management strategic sourcing procurement operations transformation or a related commercial role within a complex organization.
Demonstrated experience independently delivering procurement or sourcing activities including requirements gathering competitive sourcing supplier evaluation analysis negotiation and contract coordination.
Experience supporting or managing contract renewals and supplier activities.
Experience working with Finance Legal Risk Compliance and business stakeholders to deliver commercially sound and compliant procurement outcomes.
Experience leading or supporting category initiatives process improvements transformation projects reporting analytics tool development or change adoption is considered an asset; the relative emphasis will depend on the role assignment.
Experience in asset management investment management or broader financial services is preferred.
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What were offering
Pay-for-performance with base salary and annual incentive based on individual and enterprise performance. The Base Salary range for this level is as follows: $105000 - $155000. Individual compensation and placement of this role in the range is based on different factors unique to each candidate including but not limited to relevant experience skills demonstrated competencies and internal equity as they relate to the role.Numerous opportunities for professional growth and development
Comprehensive employer paid benefits coverage
Retirement income through a defined benefit pension plan
The opportunity to invest back into the fund through our Deferred Incentive Program
A flexible work environment combining in office collaboration and remote working
Competitive time off
Our Flexible Travel Program gives you the option to work abroad in another region/country for up to a month each year
Employee discount programs including Edvantage and Perkopolis
At Ontario Teachers diversity is one of our core strengths. We take pride in ensuring that the people we hire and the culture we create reflect and embrace diversity of thought background and experience. Through our Diversity Equity and Inclusion strategy and our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) we celebrate diversity and foster inclusion through events for colleagues to connect for professional development networking & mentoring. We are building an inclusive and equitable workplace where our talent is respected accepted and empowered to be themselves. To learn more about our commitment to Diversity Equity and Inclusion check out Life at Teachers.
How to apply
Are you ready to pursue new challenges and take your career to the next level Apply today! You may be invited to complete a pre-recorded digital interview as part of your application.
Accommodations are available upon request () for candidates with a disability taking part in the recruitment process and once hired.
Candidates must be legally entitled to work in the country where this role is located.
Ontario Teachers may use AI-based tools to assist in screening and assessing applicants for this position. These tools may help us identify candidates whose skills and experience align with Ontario Teachers objectives by analyzing information provided in resumes and applications. Our use of AI does not replace human decision-making.
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