Senior Category Manager, Strategic Procurement

Please Note: If you are a current Algonquin College employee, apply to this job via the Workday application.

Department:

Strategic Procurement

Position Type:

Full-Time Administrative

Salary Range:

$88,985.00-$111,230.00-Annual

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

36.25

Anticipated Start Date:

October 12, 2026

Length of Contract:

n/a

Posting Information

This job posting is now accepting applications from all qualified individuals.

Posting Closing Date:

July 29, 2026

Please note: jobs are posted until 11:59 pm on the job closing date.

Land Acknowledgment:

Algonquin College campuses in Ottawa and Pembroke are located on the traditional unceded, and unsurrendered territory of the Anishinàbe Algonquin People. The Algonquin People have inhabited and cared for these lands since time immemorial. We take this time to express our gratitude and respect to them and to the land for all that it has provided and will continue to provide.

Job Description:

The Senior Category Manager is responsible and accountable to process, from inception to finalization, large, complicated, and often confidential, Requests for Proposals for the College. The incumbent is responsible for the coordination and negotiation of major contracts for goods and services.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Contract negotiation and vendor management

• The incumbent contributes to the economic health of the College by recommending and implementing high quality purchasing solutions, selecting and applying the appropriate tendering and ordering processes to obtain best value for college expenditures. In addition, duties and skills include demonstrating expertise in Strategic Sourcing, RF(x)’s from end-to-end process (including financial analytics and metrics), contract negotiations, strong communications and relationship building skills, ability to manage vendor relationships and understanding of services level agreements. Ability to negotiate time sensitive, confidential contracts during the signing process and at the time of renewal coordinate and conduct all supplier negotiations to obtain better contract terms and conditions. Using analytical skills, work closely with other senior College managers, directors, Vice Presidents and other internal stakeholders and Service Providers to prepare proposals, negotiate and oversee administration requestor and buyer interfaces.

Project management

• The incumbent contributes to student success by negotiating the resolution of conflicts between vendors and college staff, recommending and implementing college-wide procurement best practices and policies. Monitor vendor’s adherence to contractual terms throughout the relationship and implement corrective action where necessary involving both client and vendor(s). Demonstrate an aptitude for managing multiple projects simultaneously and ensuring proper follow through and completion. Ability to demonstrate excellent judgment and escalate issues as needed

Oversight of purchasing activities across departments

• The incumbent is responsible for controlling purchasing activity for a variety of college departments, however, major focus of this position is to work in support of the Facility Management department including Facilities Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering. Involvement as a Strategic Procurement Leader in special projects (i.e. Major Campus construction) by representing Procurement as a strategic Procurement resource providing input and recommendations to cross College stakeholders and Steering Committee members. Duties include also include preparing timelines, confidential Procurement Strategy document co-ownership, preparing Procurement timelines and overseeing the RFP from end to end process.

Process improvement

• The incumbent supports the instructional process by monitoring industry, technological and pricing trends and develop methodologies to obtain savings as well as manage value driven negotiations. Support the renewal of contracts and evaluating the quality and price of products and services while identifying and documenting risks and opportunities to ensure they meet college standards and academic needs. Incumbent also should consistently recommend on-going process improvements and LEAN opportunities. Provide guidance and recommendations to Procurement staff (i.e. support in vendor meetings and day to day processes).

Training and Staff Development

• The incumbent provides training to college staff on purchasing policies, procedures and enterprise systems. Incumbent also provides guidance, mentorship and recommendations to internal Senior Buyer and Buyers;

• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum three (3) year degree/diploma in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance or related fields; "Equivalent combination of relevant education and work experience may be accepted in place of formal education”

• Professional Designation such as SCMP (Supply Chain Management Professional), CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management), CPPB (Certified Professional Public Buyer) or other related fields;

• Minimum seven (7) years experience;

• The incumbent is expected discharge their responsibilities with a high degree of freedom. The clients of the Purchasing Department often have little time or knowledge to define expectations. Given the lack of definition, the incumbent is expected to define processes and deliverables. Examples include committing the College to participate in consortium purchasing activities, contributing to the efficient administration of the College by ensuring that purchasing controls are set up and maintained and approving and reviewing financial commitments made by College Departments to ensure college policy is followed.

• Leadership, motivation and team building skills. Conflict resolution skills. Ability to understand and apply internal control standards in a large organization. Ability to maintain standards for efficiency and effectiveness. Interpersonal communication skills. Comfortable working with a PC and mainframe financial packages along with a working knowledge of spreadsheet software. Strong analytical and co-ordination skills. Strong ethical and moral values, with the ability to work with candor oftentimes restricted information.

*This position is paid at Payband 10

*Vacancy is for P22731