Senior Procurement Specialist

Job SummaryReporting to the Category Manager of Engineering Track Maintenance Services category, the Senior Procurement Specialist supports the development, analysis and execution of innovative procurement strategies that deliver sustainable enterprise value including achievement of cost-reduction targets. The role manages key contracts, negotiates terms and conditions to deliver financial, and ensures ongoing supplier performance management. It also supports strategic sourcing initiatives in collaboration with the Category Manager, including developing sourcing project plans, preparing procurement documentation and managing RFx processes through to evaluation, negotiation and final Senior Procurement Specialist plays a key role in developing and implementing procurement strategies aligned with the Company’s Engineering requirements and service needs. The position demands strong ownership and accountability, with the ability to independently manage projects, ensure milestone achievement, and support critical initiatives. The Senior Procurement Specialist has a direct impact on the organization’s bottom line by improving cost efficiency, service levels, and safety outcomes, while influencing decision-making processes. This position requires strong communication skills due to frequent interactions with stakeholders, both internal and external, including collaboration with internal clients and suppliers.Main Responsibilities·Interact with internal stakeholders, understand their needs and promote value creation·Conduct data analytics during different stages of the sourcing process·Develop the procurement category strategy and supplier market knowledge as it relates to Engineering Track Maintenance Services ·Build and manage the RFx process evaluate supplier responses and prepare business cases to submit for management approval·Negotiate contracts with suppliers (commercial and legal clauses) ·Lead contracts, supplier relationships and supplier performance·Collaborate with Buyers to ensure all rates and agreements are appropriately administered in the Purchase to Pay (P2P) process (, System, Applications and Products (SAP), Ariba, Fieldglass, etc.)·Ensure that all internal requirements in terms of compliance to procurement policy are met and addressed·Participate and support department-wide projects when requiredWorking ConditionsThis position is located in Montreal, Quebec Headquarters and the reporting structure is to Procurement and Supply Management (P&SM) in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The role has standard working conditions in an office environment with a regular workweek from Monday to Friday and is eligible to participate in CN’s hybrid work model. The role requires travel within North America and abroad.RequirementsExperience·Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years of experience in a similar role Education/Certification/Designation·Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Finance, or equivalent Competencies ·Negotiation Skills: able to conduct complex negotiations, seeks and value all perspectives. Able to recommend and present negotiation strategy to CN executives when required·Bring strong curiosity and a proactive mindset to understand the business and remain up to date on evolving industry requirements·Analytical and detailed oriented and applies critical thinking·Familiarity with the rail transportation industry, current on industry trends, business needs and Engineering Track Maintenance Services*·Understands and displays a customer centric mind-set to adopt to the customer’s requirements·Demonstrates active listening·Solves problems to create value·Communicates with impact·Collaborates with others and shares information·In depth knowledge of contract management ·Able to adapt, manage and perform under pressure with shifting priorities. ·Demonstrates agility and drives changeTechnical Skills/Knowledge·Extensive knowledge and ability to understand complex contractual Terms and Conditions, Statement of Works (SOW), Memorandum of Understanding MOU, Letter of Intent (LOI) types of agreements ·Extensive knowledge of contractual financial aspects such as NPV, TCO, CPI/PPI, CAGR, etc. ·Ability to drive innovative analysis to understand the market trends, cost drivers, suppliers and best practices·Strong technical skills related to data tools and presentation of data ·Knowledge of strategic sourcing best practices·Knowledge of Procure-to-Pay (P2P) processes ·Knowledge of supplier performance principles ·Basic knowledge of Incoterms·Knowledge of commercial aspects of product and service categories ·Knowledge of rail transportation or logistic industry *·Fluently bilingual both written and verbal (English, French)*Any knowledge for any of the above would be considered as an asset