Manager, Procurement and Contracts, Financial Services

Required Position

Full-Time Appointment

Responsibilities

Vacancy Status: Existing position

The Manager of Procurement and Contracts works independently under the direction of the Director of Procurement and Contracts and provides leadership and operational and strategic support to the organization. This position leads the work within the procurement department and ensures adherence and compliance to Trade Agreements, Broader Public Sector Directives, legislation, university policies, directives, guidelines and procedures. Based on an expert knowledge of modern procurement practices this position provides leadership and support in the development, implementation and maintenance of end-to-end Procure-To-Pay (P2P) and oversees institutional procurement strategies, policies and systems. The Manager of Procurement and Contracts will leverage data, technology and the university’s purchasing power to drive cost efficiencies and ensure continuous flow of goods, services and construction and ensure timely and accurate government reporting.

Provides leadership and support within the financial services department

• As a senior member of the financial services team, the Manager of Procurement plays a significant role in the development, implementation and maintenance of financial and procurement systems;
• Aligns procurement department priorities and resources (short-term and long-term) with university strategic mandate and contributes to multi-year planning of finance led projects;
• Works closely with peers within financial services and facilities to ensure that strategic sourcing functions are well- integrated; and
• Provides expert financial analysis and recommendations to university senior management on various procurement related matters, as requested based on a strong understanding of the University’s diverse business activities.

Plays critical role in the oversight, support and maintenance of the integrity of operations within P2P (Procurement team and Payments and Expense team) system.

• Provides support for day-to-day operations and P2P processes;
• Ensures that relevant KPI’s are monitored and provides recommendation on how to improve P2P operations;
• Effectively manages relationships with business functions and key stakeholders, leading two-way; communication and collaboration to ensure responsive, effective and efficient results;
• Oversees appropriate strategies and, efficient business processes, including customer service;
• Responsible for the validation and maintenance of Master Vendor Records.
• Supports supplier consolidation, rationalization and collaborative procurement as appropriate.

Provides forward-thinking and strategic supply chain direction

• Enables implementation and enhancement over time of the P2P technology solution for e-procurement, contracts, supplier management, invoicing, and digital capture modules;
• Progresses work to digitalize and automate processes through emerging technologies to create capacity while improving efficiency, quality and controls;
• Provides best practice service delivery and actionable business insights through data and analytics;
• Identifies, interprets, and reports trends in KPI’s and recommends analytical or operational changes to maximize financial and operational effectiveness and efficiency of the teams;
• Provides direction and functional expertise for various source to pay modules within the financial systems
• Undertakes strategic planning to establish core outcomes and to develop timetables for various projects
• Supports University risk management within procurement processes;
• Leveraging technology, develops processes for and manages the collection and categorization of spend data to deliver consistent and credible analysis to inform strategies; and
• Liaises with senior management and stakeholders across the organization to provide strategic advice and support.

Ensures compliance with University policies and guidelines and external legislation and requirements related to procurement activities

• Ensures the acquisition of and payment for goods and services in a professional, ethical, efficient and transparent manner;
• Maintains process integrity and internal controls;
• Management of contracts that fall under Procurement & Contract Services’;
• Adherence to the external regulatory framework, including but not limited to the Broader Public Sector
• Procurement Directive, International trade agreements, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), safety regulations, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities (AODA), and the Building Ontario Businesses Initiative Act (BOBIA) etc.;
• Support the reporting of the results of procurements to University management (Board of Governors and its Committees, Executive Management & Others), to Provincial and Federal government departments and agencies, to various other external bodies and other members of the University community as well as to the public at large.
• Ensures support of internal procedures, including but not limited to research compliance, signing authority requirements, asset protection, insurance requirements, acquisition of hazardous substances and controlled goods, sale of surplus goods and customs clearance etc.
• Advises senior management and stakeholders across the organization on appropriate protocols and requirements; and
• Sets relevant guidelines and thresholds, develops, oversees and ensures policy compliance.

Provides leadership and direction to team members

• Works to enable engaged, dedicated and high-performance teams;
• Manages the hiring and performance of team members;
• Provides team members with direction, support and coaching;
• Ensures appropriate cross-training is in place for all critical functions;
• Contributes to a work environment that fosters, recognizes, and rewards supportive mentorship, professional quality, respectful communication, continuous improvement, and positive energy; and
• Works with the teams to promote consistency of services across team members

Additional responsibilities

• As required, serves on or acts as a resource on committees and working groups;
• Collaborate with other functional teams to achieve University objectives;
• Resolves complex operational issues;
• Participate and/or lead special projects;
• Administer the disposal of all surplus assets; and
• Perform related duties as assigned

Qualifications

• University degree in a related discipline (Economics, Business Administration, Commerce, etc)
• Must possess a designation in Procurement (i.e., Certified Supply Chain Management Professional (CSCMP),
• A minimum of five (5) years of senior procurement experience in complex environments;
• Extensive experience in strategic sourcing, contracting, supplier program management, transactional processing and internal controls;
• Substantial experience with a significant financial system/ERP system;
• Experience working in a diverse environment where a high degree of collaboration is required; and
• Experienced and fluent in construction, CCDC construction contracts, technical drawings and specifications, changed orders, substantial completion would be considered an asset. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Well-developed leadership approach, having accomplished clear and effective leadership outcomes;
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with individuals at all levels in the organization;
• Demonstrated ability to work in crossfunctional teams;
• Excellent negotiation skills;
• Excellent conflict resolution skills;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Strong organizational and time management skills. Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects within established deadlines;
• Conceptual thinker with strategic planning skills and initiative;
• Expertise in providing advisory services;
• High degree of discretion, judgement,sensitivity, tact and diplomacy;
• Strong relationship building and coaching skills;
• Understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and their application to not-for profit organizations; and
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office, G Suite, Adobe Acrobat Pro
• Ability to work fluently (verbal and written) in both official languages, French and English, is [required / preferred / an asset].

***We are aware that some applicants are experiencing difficulty using our careers portal. Should you complete an application through our online form and receive an error, please submit your application to careers@laurentian.ca***

The official University hours of operation shall be from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, during, and including, the months from September to April, and from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m Monday through Friday during and including May to August., amounting to thirty-three and three-quarter (33.75) hours per week. 

At Laurentian University, we recognize that work-life balance is essential for both personal well-being and professional success. Our policy offers employees some flexibility to better balance personal needs while maintaining effective service delivery.

Laurentian University is an inclusive and welcoming community committed to employment equity. Applications are encouraged from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions. Laurentian University’s bilingualism policy provides a provision regarding the language requirement for persons self-identifying as First Nations, Métis or Inuit. 

Laurentian University is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free experience to applicants with accessibility needs. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact Human Resources for more information (careers@laurentian.ca).

 

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Applications will only be accepted through our online form.