AVP, Merchandise Procurement and Vendor Engagement

CTC’s Merchandising Procurement objective is to maximize the value CTC receives for its merchandising spend on a sustainable basis. Since 2013, Procurement has supported the delivery of over $500 MM in COGS reduction benefits.

The core pillars to delivering on Procurement’s objective are:

• CTC has best-in-class procurement capabilities in Canadian retail, all to improve our COGS position in the marketplace.

• CTC has productive vendor relationships. We understand the global vendor landscape, align with qualified vendors, and collaborate to optimize our business. We are a trusted, strategic growth partner driving the sustainable productive growth of both ourselves and our total vendor portfolio.

Leading a team of approximately 25 people, the AVP Merchandise Procurement and Vendor Engagement is responsible for the development and execution of the strategies and tactics required to deliver these pillars. Working closely with Merchandising and the Pacific Rim Office (PRO), the AVP Merch Procurement will create scalable solutions for these key stakeholders to leverage during key vendor engagement activities, including sourcing, line reviews, and ongoing vendor management.

What you’ll do:

• Establish clear COGS and sourcing objectives and deliver.

• Create and implement scalable procurement best practices utilized by Procurement, Merchandising, and the PRO. These practices should include prioritization of business focus areas, pro-active BATNA management, deep dive financial analysis, robust negotiation game plans, multiple rounds of negotiations, and postmortems.

• Pro-actively monitor market dynamics to create scalable opportunities and risk mitigation strategies, e.g., dynamic tariffs, geo-political implications, commodity super cycles

• Management of Procurement’s data infrastructure, systems, and tools, including Cost Controls, Vendor Financial Explorer, Should-Cost modelling, and SAP Vendor Gateway. In addition, oversee Procurement’s role as Vendor Data Steward for CTR.

• Oversee and own specific capital IT projects related to sourcing and vendor management capabilities. Ownership includes establishing the business vision and requirements, collaborating with IT and XF leadership to develop and implement the solution. For perspective, in the past, these projects have included the development, implementation, and ongoing management of SAP Gateway, Cost Controls, Vendor Info Share, and Vendor Financial Explorer. For TN projects, the AVP will work closely with the TMO to support required communication and governance.

• It is anticipated that the Procurement AVP will lead the True North project Enterprise Sourcing Management (ESM), a significant capital project creating the enterprises merch sourcing platform for the future.

• Governance over core controls, including Quote Cost approvals via Cost Controls, vendor fund rate adjustments, and vendor compliance of CTR’s payment terms. In addition, the AVP is responsible for identifying and implementing other potential value add controls related to vendor terms and vendor performance.

• Management of the Vendor System Support (VSS) function, including new vendor set-up and registration, real-time support for vendors requiring help with our core vendor-facing sourcing systems. Core objectives being rapid vendor and product onboarding and improving the vendor experience. Anticipate requirements and support for other vendor-facing systems that emerge – e.g., 2P, Product 2.0.

• Support of enterprise projects that are dependent on Procurement engagement and leadership. Examples of TN projects include 2P and Product 2.0.

• Oversee the Reverse Flow function responsible for vendor recovery of funds to cover the costs of product returns.

• Be a leading voice in the enterprise for merchandise vendors as a stakeholder. Identify and execute initiatives that improve our vendors’ experience working with CT, as well as provide clarity on expectations for performance. Examples of such initiatives include Vendor Financial Explorer, Vendor Awards, and macro vendor communication support.

What you bring:

• University degree required, Honours Business/Commerce preferred

• 10+ years merchant experience, across a range of product portfolios

• Significant experience in global sourcing

• Demonstrated track record of leading complex, multi-dimensional projects with significant IT dependencies

• Highly developed ability to influence without authority

• Ability to communicate with and work effectively with all levels of management, across a broad range of functions and banners

• Ability to establish a clear vision, and translate strategic concepts into processes and tactics, with clear plans for delivery

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This posting represents an existing vacancy within our organization.

We may use artificial intelligence tools as part of our recruitment process to assist in the initial screening of resumes. All hiring decisions, including candidate evaluation, selection, and disposition, are made by human recruiters.