Vice President, Procurement – Vendor Management

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Canada.

📋 Description

• Develop and implement a comprehensive multi-year strategy for enterprise procurement and vendor management.

• Provide executive oversight for a national portfolio consisting of over 2,500 contracts and more than 1,000 service providers.

• Act as the executive authority on procurement governance, supply market strategies, and vendor risk management.

• Advise the CEO and executive team on market trends, supply chain risks, cost forecasting, and sourcing strategies.

• Lead initiatives in procurement transformation, systems modernization, analytics, category management, and process optimization.

• Build, mentor, and direct a national procurement organization focused on succession planning and leadership development.

• Design and manage enterprise-wide procurement governance to ensure fairness, transparency, audit readiness, and regulatory compliance.

• Establish risk management protocols that encompass contractual, operational, financial, reputational, and ESG exposures.

• Oversee standards for competitive bidding, contract templates, delegated authorities, policy adherence, and procurement controls.

• Provide market intelligence, procurement reporting, strategic insights, and recommendations to the CEO and Board.

• Manage high-value and nationally significant sourcing initiatives across collection, processing, transportation, transfer, IT, and technology services.

• Approve category strategies that optimize total cost of ownership and ensure long-term service reliability.

• Lead complex negotiations concerning multi-year, multi-jurisdictional contracts.

• Drive supplier innovation and strategies for market development.

• Ensure effective contract lifecycle management, performance monitoring, renewal planning, and compliance oversight.

• Establish supplier performance management systems using KPIs, scorecards, ESG metrics, and continuous improvement mechanisms.

• Oversee vendor segmentation, governance, performance management, and the management of strategic relationships.

• Manage supplier continuity planning and concentration risk effectively.

• Cultivate strategic partnerships with key suppliers and service providers.

• Lead resolution of executive-level issues and manage escalations.

• Partner with Finance and executive leadership on financial planning, budgeting, cost forecasting, analytics, and benchmarking.

• Collaborate with Operations, Legal, Finance, Technology, Communications, and provincial program leaders.

• Align procurement efforts with provincial stewardship requirements and regulatory frameworks.

• Balance commercial objectives with regulatory requirements, commitments to Indigenous participation, municipal interests, and stakeholder expectations.

• Champion the integration of ESG considerations in supplier selection, evaluation, and performance management.

⛳️ Requirements

• A degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field is required.

• A professional certification in Supply Management (SCMP), Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (MCIPS/FCIPS), Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), or an equivalent senior procurement designation is required.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

• More than 15 years of progressive leadership experience in procurement or contract management.

• Experience leading enterprise transformation initiatives in highly regulated sectors such as waste management, recycling, circular economy, regulated utilities or infrastructure services, public-sector or municipal procurement, or EPR/stewardship programs.

• At least 7 years' experience in building procurement frameworks, processes, and teams.

• Proven experience in transforming procurement from a transactional or administrative function into a strategic business partner.

• A track record of establishing procurement performance metrics, savings methodologies, benefits realization processes, and executive-level reporting.

• Experience in complex, multi-stakeholder environments involving internal and external partners, including Boards of Directors.

• Experience managing large-scale procurement organizations with extensive supplier ecosystems, complex contract portfolios, and geographically dispersed service delivery networks.

• Strong knowledge of contract law, procurement policies, and risk management practices.

• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced and evolving environment.

• Excellent communication skills to interact effectively with executives, Board members, regulators, and technical experts.

• Exceptional negotiation and problem-solving abilities.

• Expertise in competitive procurement within complex, multi-stakeholder or regulatory environments.

• Experience in procuring large-scale service contracts across logistics, operations, and technology.

• Experience making enterprise-level decisions that impact procurement strategy, vendor performance, risk management, and organizational outcomes.

• Knowledge of departmental budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and performance analytics.

• A demonstrated history of advancing procurement innovation through supplier market development, process improvement, technology enablement, and data-driven decision-making.

🏝️ Benefits

• A total rewards package that reflects experience and qualifications.

• The opportunity for remote work from a home office environment.

• Flexible availability for participation in Board, stakeholder, and industry meetings outside regular business hours, as needed.

• Reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable provincial accessibility standards.