Partner, Strategic Procurement - Global Travel

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Air Canada, ranked among the top five most attractive companies to work for in Canada, is seeking a Partner, SP - Global Travel who will be based at our Montreal Headquarters.  

Strategic Procurement (SP) is comprised of several Category Management teams and a Centre of Excellence (COE) to support SP. The successful candidate will play a key role as a category manager for all aspects of hotel accommodations and ground transportation sourcing initiatives including crew, passengers, corporate travel, training and events. Given the breadth and varied nature of the activities within this portfolio, this opportunity will provide interaction with key stakeholders in many parts of the organization. This position will report to the Director Strategic Procurement – Global Travel and Hotels.

This role requires someone who will be a key contributor in creating synergies and leverage spend with Hotels across all branches within Air Canada. The successful candidate will apply a passion for leadership and collaboration in order to obtain the best value for the airline and to develop mutually beneficial relationships with suppliers.

Responsibilities:

The Manager, Strategic Procurement – Global Travel Hotels & GT will lead sourcing projects related to Air Canada’s key commercial and operational priorities.  The Global Travel Category includes procurement activities related to crew hotels, ground transportation providers, rates for corporate travel, meetings & events and hotels for crew training.   This individual will collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver strategic leadership, focused on value delivery, efficiency / cost savings, governance and control.  

In this role, responsibilities will include conducting supply market research, establishing sourcing strategies, leading a competitive bid process by conducting Request for Proposals, Information or Quotation, vendor selection, conduct negotiations and contract execution on an ongoing basis. Managing and securing contracts for projects involving third-party suppliers that support the Global Travel portfolio or within the crew operations team.

In greater detail, key areas of responsibility include the following:

• Establish corporate category procurement strategies:
  • Develop and maintain an understanding of the hospitality industry and supply market trends in various regions around the world to strengthen Air Canada’s negotiating positions.
  • Stay abreast of Air Canada’s Corporate strategic initiatives and priorities through close collaboration with the departments.  
  • Analyse and monitor category spend and expiring contracts to uncover potential sourcing and consolidation opportunities.    
  • Source & contract crew hotels for our sports charter services JETZ and our express partner Jazz
  • Engage the COE team to conduct research and analysis.  
• Lead and manage procurement events for Crew Accommodations and transportation:  
  • Manage the relationships between multiple stakeholder groups, to assist in the selection process of crew accommodation and ground transportation to meet Air Canada’s crew requirements and ensure cost effective quality accommodations.
  • As required, participate in site visits at hotel properties around the globe with union representatives, and our operations team from crew accommodations to evaluate lodging and transportation alternatives for our crew layovers.
  • Ensure that hotel quality issues and feedback from crew members are addressed in a timely and effective manner.
  • Cultivate an effective working relationship with all stakeholders including our various Hotel Chain representatives.
  • Work with cross functional teams to determine business requirements.
  • Prepare and issue RFPs, evaluate responses, prepare site inspection packages and conduct negotiations with various suppliers.
  • Lead contract negotiations and oversee contract drafting and execution including the vendor management of these suppliers.
  • Collaborate with internal subject matter experts including the Crew Accommodations team, to obtain concurrence on the selection process.
  • Conduct regular business reviews with Air Canada’s Crew Accommodations team, our union groups and any 3rd party suppliers assigned to manage day of operations and/or Crew IROPS to ensure standards are met and all open issues are addressed.  
• Act as an ambassador for Strategic Procurement and Air Canada
  • Further develop SP’s relationships with internal customers over the course of procurement events
  • Effectively communicate and promote the successes of SP.  
  • Actively engage in learning Air Canada’s business processes
  • Continually seek areas for improvement
  • Conduct supplier performance management with our suppliers.  

Qualifications

• University degree in in a relevant field of study (commerce, supply chain, engineering, hospitality)
• Excellent communication (verbal and written), analytical, negotiation, and project management skills.
• Ability to influence without formal authority.
• A strong entrepreneurial spirit, a desire to innovate, intellectual curiosity and creative thinking.
• Strong organizational skills and work ethic
• Ability to multi-task, work under pressure and accommodate changing priorities.
• High degree of professionalism and discretion is essential.
• Flexibility with work hours and ability to travel.  
• Hotel Management and/or Crew Resources experience, an asset
• Completion of (or working towards) a SCMP designation, ISM or other procurement designation is an asset.  
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, with particular expertise in PowerPoint and Excel
• Previous experience working with collective agreements an asset.
• Demonstrate punctuality and dependability to support overall team success in a fast-paced environment. 

Conditions of Employment:

Candidates must be eligible to work in the country of interest at the time any offer of employment is made and are responsible for obtaining any required work permits, visas, or other authorizations necessary for employment. Prior to their start date, candidates will also need to provide proof of their eligibility to work in the country of interest.

Linguistic Requirements

Based on equal qualifications, preference will be given to bilingual candidates.

Diversity and Inclusion

Air Canada is strongly committed to Diversity and Inclusion and aims to create a healthy, accessible and rewarding work environment which highlights employees’ unique contributions to our company’s success.

As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all to help us build a diverse workforce which reflects the diversity of our customers, and communities, in which we live and serve.

Air Canada thanks all candidates for their interest; however only those selected to continue in the process will be contacted.