Strategic Procurement Advisor - Information Technology, Data and Digital

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Air Canada, recognized as one of Montreal’s top employers and also proudly ranked as one of Canada’s top diversity employers, is seeking a Strategic Procurement Advisor to support its Information Technology, Data and Digital (IDD) branch, who will be based at our Montreal Headquarters.

Strategic Procurement (SP) is comprised of several Category Management teams and a Knowledge Management (KM) team. The successful candidate will play a key role as a procurement category manager and as a supplier relationship manager for IDD. Given the cross-functional nature of IDD procurement at Air Canada, this opportunity will provide interaction with key stakeholders in many parts of the organization.

This role requires someone who will be a key contributor to important sourcing projects and supplier relationships for 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 Strategic Procurement Advisor (IDD) will acquire essential IT services, systems, and infrastructure and manage strategic agreements and relationships with key suppliers.

In this role, responsibilities will include activities such as partnering with the manager overseeing a specific IDD category as well as the internal business units and the IDD department to manage the entire supplier lifecycle such as sourcing strategies, seek proposals from suppliers, conduct commercial and contractual negotiations, interpreting and enforcing agreements, elevating supplier relationships to a partnership level, actively monitoring the IDD supplier landscape, and contribute to the overall improvement of procurement and supplier relationship management practices at Air Canada.

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

• Support the establishment of IDD category management strategies:
  • Develop and maintain an understanding of emerging industry and supply market trends to strengthen Air Canada’s negotiating positions.
  • Analyse and monitor category spend in order to uncover strategic sourcing and potential supplier consolidation opportunities.
  • Work with the KM team to conduct research and analysis.
  • Stay abreast of the Air Canada IDD strategy through collaboration with the IDD department and other business units.
• Coordinate and manage procurement events:
  • Conduct supply market research and baseline spend analysis.
  • Work with cross functional teams to determine business requirements and establish sourcing strategies.
  • Prepare and issue RFPs, evaluate responses and conduct negotiations.
  • Negotiate and coordinate the execution of contracts.
  • Ensure that Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) is in place at the conclusion of an event.
• Support Contract Management activities:
  • Track contract deliverables & obligations.
  • Manage contract dispute and interpretation procedures.
  • Maintain commercial provision summary.
• Participate in Performance Management:
  • Continuously monitor, assess and report performance metrics.
  • Support the review of SLAs, KPI’s and KRI’s with business strategy and operational execution.
  • Monitor partner supply and delivery risks.
  • Review achievement of performance goals and objectives against supplier contracts.
  • Use contract knowledge and expertise to support enhanced delivery.
• Support Spend Management:
  • Participate in the definition of parameters for invoice validation against contract.
  • Track service level credits, earn backs, risk/reward models and any other commercial agreements.
  • Calculate and validate cost of living adjustments (COLA) provisions.
  • Develop analysis providing spend insight trends and opportunities.
• Coordinate Relationship Management:
  • Support the development of IDD supplier strategy based on supplier segmentation, performance outcomes, relationship, and cost objectives.
  • Participate in core governance meetings.
  • Schedule and conduct internal & external annual contract reviews, and develop improvement action plans.
  • Recommend performance improvement opportunities with suppliers and internal service owners.
  • Monitor internal customer satisfaction.
  • Create a collaborative environment to identify capabilities and synergies.
  • Maintain effective relationships across the client and supplier organizations and facilitate issue resolution.
  • Provide insights into procurement strategy based on performance.
• Contribute to the improvement of internal procurement practices:
  • Participate in the establishment of best-in-class procurement methods.
  • Devise models to evaluate supplier proposals using quantitative and qualitative criteria.
  • Provide input for the development of standard templates and reusable methods of clear communication.
• Act as an ambassador for Strategic Procurement and Air Canada:
  • Further develop SP relationships with internal customers.
  • Effectively communicate and promote the successes of SP.
  • Actively engage in learning Air Canada’s business processes.
  • Continually seek areas for improvement.

Qualifications

• In addition to a university degree in a relevant field of study (commerce, law, information technology, engineering), the successful candidate will demonstrate excellent analytical, communication, negotiation, and project management skills plus the ability to multi-task, work under pressure, and accommodate changing priorities. A strong entrepreneurial spirit and desire to learn will also be essential. Strong organizational skills are essential, and an MBA or procurement designation is desirable.
• Due to the confidential nature of the work, a high degree of professionalism and discretion is required. Flexibility with work hours and occasional travel may also be necessary.
• 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.