Strategic Sourcing Specialist

• Provide sourcing value within Procurement COE for the Canadian business, Corporate, and IT spend categories (including, but not limited to, group insurance and operations services, consulting, human resources, marketing, communications, finance services, Software, IT Services, IT Hardware/Products).

• Identify and manage relationships with key internal stakeholders.

• Manages the execution of the sourcing process.

• Support clients on related governance requirements for their deal, including third party risk management, AML screening, financial viability, etc

• Focuses on the continuous improvement of various procurement processes.

Role Summary:

• Support and manage the sourcing process for primarily high volume low risk engagements, with a goal for prompt turnaround.
• Lead clients through the sourcing process including, but not limited to, contract negotiations through to contract execution, risk and governance support and approvals.
• Assess, define and resolve procurement issues including contractual terms and conditions and escalations by internal stakeholders and suppliers.
• Apply project management concepts to the planning and execution of the sourcing process.
• Ensure all related governance processes/policies are adhered to and completed prior to final approval to ensure the acquisition is done in the best interest of the company (legal, technical, financial, regulatory compliance).

What you need to succeed:

• 3+ years of relevant sourcing/procurement experience.
• Proven and extensive expertise leading sourcing initiatives, processes and developing strategies (i.e. deal management, contract review and negotiations etc.)
• Proven skills and ability to work with internal stakeholders to drive the process
• Comfort with ambiguity and uncertainty
• Familiarity with vendor contract language, SAP Ariba Contracts and Sourcing Modules
• Understanding of general procurement challenges and solutions
• Proven ability to work and align with internal legal counsel and other governance stakeholders such as IT security, compliance, etc.

Preferred skills:

• Effective client relationship management skills are critical in this role.
• Requires comfort with ambiguity and uncertainty.
• Financial Analysis skills, included advanced Excel skills.
• Confidence in ability to lead negotiations to conclusion.
• Proven ability to work with internal legal counsel and other stakeholders such as security and compliance.
• Role will require both independent contribution as well as team involvement.
• Demonstrates a drive for results and sense of urgency.
• Excellent communicator - both written and oral communication in English.
• Must have experience creating project plans, managing to plans, communicating effectively and engaging necessary stakeholders in projects as required.
• Makes good decisions based upon a mixture of analysis, common sense wisdom, experience and good judgment.

Assets:

• Experience with SAP Ariba Contracts and Sourcing Modules.
• Familiarity with third party risk for Financial Service Institutions.