Program specialist Jobs in Ottawa, ON

Senior Procurement Specialist

March Networks is an established global leader in the video surveillance industry and works with the world’s largest retailers and banking institutions. Our goal is to create a positive working environment where all of our employees can thrive. When you join our team, you’ll enjoy flexibility and support for a healthy work-life balance, as well as the professional development opportunities needed to advance your career. At March Networks, we value your hard work, creativity and your passionate desire to deliver only the best to our customers, partners and each other.

Role overview

This role provides advanced strategic procurement for March Networks and Vivotek hardware (SSS LOB). The Senior Procurement Specialist builds and manages a world‑class supply base, leads supplier and contract manufacturer commercial negotiations, and manages component risk and lifecycle to enable successful product hardware build strategies with our global Contract Manufacturing partners, including Delta and Sanmina. The role works in close partnership with the Senior Manager, S&OP, who owns demand, supply, and inventory planning.

Key responsibilities

Strategic procurement for SSS LOB

• Provide advanced procurement support to the Hardware Engineering organization throughout the product development lifecycle, from concept through volume production, for the Taipei, Poland, Milan, and Ottawa design teams.
• Develop and maintain strategic supplier relationships across key hardware commodities, including Memory/SOC/ICs/processors, PCBs, connectors, fans, and electro‑mechanical components.
• Lead supply risk management, including geopolitical, sanctions, tariff, lifecycle, allocation, and single-source component risks, while developing mitigation strategies.
• Act as the primary business interface between supply partners, Hardware Engineering, Product Line Management, and Operations.
• Lead component price negotiations and manage commercial release milestones to meet build schedules, cost, and margin objectives.
• Evaluate supplier capability, reliability, capacity, financial health, and cost competitiveness to support both NPI and long‑term supply strategies.

Contract manufacturing and outsourcing

• Support global contract manufacturing partners, including Delta, Sanmina, and future partners across North America, Europe, and Asia, on commercial and sourcing matters.
• Drive and negotiate cost models with existing and new outsource partners to maximize the SSS LOB’s margin contribution.
• In collaboration with the Technical Operations team, engage contract manufacturers early and formally in DFM/DFA by conducting joint design reviews, BOM rationalization, and component risk assessments to ensure manufacturability, test strategy, and lifecycle/obsolescence considerations are built in.

BOM analysis, risk, and lifecycle management

• Drive component portfolio rationalization across all four design teams to reduce the number of suppliers and components being supported.
• Perform in‑depth Bill of Materials (BOM) analysis to inform procurement and S&OP decisions, including long lead‑time risk and early‑purchase recommendations.
• Drive end‑of‑life (EOL) component analysis, Product Change Notification (PCN) reviews, and dual‑sourcing strategies to protect continuity of supply.
• Assess manufacturing cost structures for NPI designs and provide component‑level and finished‑goods cost models to Product Line Management and Finance.
• Support the S&OP team in resolving material shortages impacting builds, pilot runs, and volume product builds by working directly with suppliers on recovery.

Commercial and contractual leadership

• Lead procurement contract, NDA, and commercial term negotiations with key suppliers in alignment with corporate policies and risk appetite.
• Conduct business and financial reviews of potential and existing suppliers to support sourcing decisions and S&OP risk reviews.
• Manage pricing updates and verification for Engineering, Product Line Management, and Finance to ensure alignment of standard costs with S&OP assumptions and financial plans.

Stakeholder engagement

• Present procurement strategies, supply risks, and savings opportunities to leadership and in S&OP reviews.
• Participate in Product Line readiness and gate reviews, clearly articulating sourcing status, risks, mitigation plans, and commercial implications.
• Contribute to elevating strategic sourcing maturity, including process improvements and tool adoption.

Performance management and governance

• Monitor procurement KPIs, including material cost variance, savings, supplier on-time delivery, and supplier and component consolidation.
• Ensure that sourcing strategies and pricing are accurately reflected in ERP data, material masters, and procurement records.
• Drive continuous improvement in sourcing and NPI commercialization, quantifying financial benefits (e.g., cost reductions, lower obsolescence, better margins).

Qualifications and experience

• 7+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, commodity management, or procurement in the high‑tech / networking or electronics industry.
• Hands‑on experience with NPI processes and BOM analysis, including cost modeling, lifecycle/risk assessment, and supplier selection.
• Demonstrated success negotiating complex commercial agreements, including pricing, contracts, and NDAs with semiconductor and electronics suppliers and contract manufacturers.
• Working knowledge of MRP/MPS and how procurement decisions connect to S&OP and financial planning.
• Proficiency with ERP systems (e.g., SAP or similar), sourcing tools, and advanced Excel/analytics; experience with product lifecycle or Agile/PLM systems is an asset.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills; proven ability to influence cross‑functional stakeholders and suppliers.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, including cost analysis and supply risk mitigation.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related field; a procurement designation (e.g., CSCMP, CPSM, SCMP) is an asset.

Personal attributes

• Strategic thinker who can connect commercial, technical, and operational decisions end‑to‑end.
• Highly collaborative, with the credibility to work closely with engineering teams and senior supplier contacts.
• Comfortable operating in a fast‑paced, ambiguous environment with multiple concurrent NPI programs.
• Results‑driven with a focus on disciplined execution and measurable impact on cost and margin.

Why Work at March Networks?

· Global Exposure

· Medical/Dental benefits offered immediately from Day 1

· Health club reimbursement

· Professional development support

· Company holiday closure

March Networks is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse workforce.

Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Applicants can make their accommodation needs known to us in their application.

Please note March Networks uses AI as part of the recruitment process.