Director, Strategic Procurement

The Opportunity

The Director Strategic Procurement is a visionary and proactive leader dedicated to driving long-term transformative change within the procurement function and the broader organization. This role is responsible for evolving growing and leading Teachers strategic procurement operations by setting and implementing future-focused standard methodologies policies and approaches that optimize over $1bn in external spend. The Director also spearheads major sourcing initiatives develops forward-thinking procurement strategies guides the business in identifying and articulating requirements negotiates complex agreements and ensures that business areas are fully prepared to manage and sustain the delivery of supplier services for lasting impact.

Who Youll Work With

Reporting to the Managing Director Corporate Services you will lead a team of 510 procurement managers and specialists. Youll collaborate closely with internal stakeholders across Legal Risk Technology Finance and business units as well as Category Managers and external suppliers. The role requires strong cross-functional partnership and alignment with Teachers financial goals customer service expectations and risk management frameworks.

What Youll Do

• Build and implement a structured strategic procurement function aligned with enterprise goals and customer service standards.

• Lead procurement planning across all spend categories to identify and deliver sustainable cost savings and operational efficiencies.

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies and mature the supplier management operating model.

• Translate internal business requirements into clear supplier specifications and manage the full sourcing lifecycle.

• Identify and implement process improvements including contract negotiation frameworks standard terms and automation tools.

• Leverage advanced technologies including AI to enhance analytics decision-making and procurement automation.

• Champion sustainable and ethical sourcing practices aligned with ESG standards.

• Foster innovation through supplier collaboration and strategic partnerships.

• Develop and execute risk management strategies diversify supplier base and maintain contingency plans for supply continuity.

• Manage the Third-Party Risk Management Framework and align it with enterprise risk domains.

• Oversee vendor performance and contract management including negotiations renewals and spend analysis.

• Lead talent development initiatives providing training and fostering a culture of innovation and agility.

• Provide financial leadership on strategic projects aligning procurement activities with budgeting forecasting and financial reporting.

What Youll Need

• Bachelors degree in Business Accounting Finance or a related discipline.

• 10 years of procurement and sourcing experience with leadership in managing procurement functions and teams.

• Strong background in end-to-end Source-to-Pay processes including category management contract and vendor performance management and procure-to-pay systems with a focus on professional services and technology.

• Proven expertise in strategic sourcing contract negotiation vendor management and third-party risk management.

• Experience in procurement transformation change management and risk mitigation within investment management or financial services.

• Demonstrated success in implementing P2P S2C and TPRM system solutions.

• Proficiency in leveraging advanced technologies (e.g. AI) to enhance procurement processes and decision-making.

• Strong negotiation and influencing skills with the ability to manage conflict and communicate effectively with senior stakeholders.

• Excellent analytical writing and presentation skills with the ability to interpret complex data and drive strategic decisions.

• Experience in coaching performance management and talent development.

• Technological proficiency in MS365 Co-Pilot ChatGPT and financial applications.

#LI-OTPP #LI-EO #LI-Hybrid

What were offering

• Pay-for-performance environment that offers competitive salary and incentive

• 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/hybrid 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.

To learn more about how Teachers uses AI with your personal information please visit our Privacy Centre.

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Vacancy:

Current