Procurement Lead, Major Projects (Internal Only)

at  Macewan University

ABOUT US

MacEwan University is where caring faculty help people connect their passions to their future paths. Located in the heart of Edmonton’s diverse and dynamic downtown community, and on the traditional lands of Treaty 6 First Nations and homelands of the Métis people, MacEwan is known for exceptional undergraduate learning. With its dedication to teaching excellence, informed by scholarly research, innovation, and creative activity, MacEwan provides an exceptional collaborative and supportive learning environment with a commitment to human rights, environmental sustainability, and opportunities for community engagement. We are committed to creating an equitable, diverse, inclusive, and welcoming community for all peoples, cultures, and identities.
Our comprehensive undergraduate university offers 59 programs to more than 18,000 full- and part-time students in business, communications, community and human services, design, fine and performing arts, health, humanities, natural science, nursing, public safety, and social science. Through a wide array of experiential learning opportunities, and strategic relationships in the community, we partner with others to produce graduates of stature. Along with a robust grounding in their chosen disciplines, MacEwan students are given durable life skills that prepare them to take on the world.

OPPORTUNITY

MacEwan University is seeking an experienced individual for Procurement Lead, Major Projects for a full-time continuing opportunity with the Procurement and Contract Management Services department.
Reporting to the Director, this position provides a leadership/advisory role to the Major Projects Team related to high-risk/visibility/value procurement & contract services. Position assesses policy, process & procedure control design; suggests implementation and improvement initiatives to the Director; oversees staff service delivery, ensures quality control & compliance with Trade Agreements and procurement related internal policies and procedures; and identifies and escalates risk and compliance issues. This position also leads high-risk/visibility/value end-to-end procurement projects.

Key responsibilities include:

• Performing risk assessments on potential high-risk competitive bids and agreements.
• Executing, leading, and managing complex, high value contracts including managing any changes to the contracted agreement or statement of work.
• Leading negotiations in critical NRFPs: reviewing and interpreting all contract requirements, forecasting, and anticipating changes for contract terms, understanding and articulating contract terms to all relevant parties, providing mediation for discussions and remedial actions, developing consensus and influencing resolution in the best interest of the University.
• Using expert knowledge of procurement strategies, policies and procedures and contract law; providing coaching and mentoring to unit staff on procurement strategies and processes.
• Assigning work and projects to staff daily, ensuring deadlines and requirements are met by balancing and adjusting workloads or shifting resources and promoting excellence in service delivery.
• Suggesting implementation and improvement initiatives, identifying and escalating risk and compliance issues, and service quality assessment.
• Accountability for the supervision of the Procurement Major Projects Team. The functions will include participating in recruitment, on-boarding, training, providing positive and constructive coaching, employee development, performance coaching, escalating to the Director when as required to ensure operational effectiveness and work performance objectives are aligned.

SKILLS

You will have:

• Comprehensive knowledge of procurement policies, procedures, competitive bid law, and advanced supply management strategies and techniques.
• Knowledge of contract law and understanding of legal language related to contracts and agreements.
• The ability to communicate issues to a wide range of audiences, including Executive Officers.
• Demonstrated skills in negotiations and relationship building.
• The ability to develop consensus and influence resolution.
• Extensive knowledge of negotiations as they regard to contracting and subcontracting.
• Strong understanding of the University environment (i.e. research community, administrators, central administrative units) or the equivalent of a large complex organization.
• Strong management and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead team members in a service-oriented and client-centered environment.
• Multi-tasking and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks.
• Highly organized and detailed-oriented.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Computer and technical skills including use of the Internet, desktop applications (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• The ability to work calmly and effectively under pressure to meet time restraints.
• Must have a positive attitude and be self-motivated.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, both written and verbal.
• The ability to manage large and complex projects.
• Strong understanding of the current marketplace to manage clientele requirements.
• Top-notch interpersonal skills including handling difficult staff, clientele, and suppliers.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a related field (Business, Commerce, etc.) and professional certification in the supply management field (Supply Chain Management Professional (SCMP) designation or equivalent).
• A minimum of seven (7) years of related procurement experience, including leading high-risk end-to-end competitive bids, contract administration (draft and execution), leading contract negotiations, performing diversified supply chain management, and experience leading teams and overseeing procurement operations.
• Experience within a public sector institution or a large organization is considered an asset.
• Comprehensive knowledge of trade agreements (e.g., Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT), New West Partnership Trade Agreement (NWPTA)) would be considered an asset.
• Working knowledge of relevant software and systems (e.g. Google workplace, MS Office, E-Procurement Solutions, PeopleSoft applications).
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

• Performing risk assessments on potential high-risk competitive bids and agreements.
• Executing, leading, and managing complex, high value contracts including managing any changes to the contracted agreement or statement of work.
• Leading negotiations in critical NRFPs: reviewing and interpreting all contract requirements, forecasting, and anticipating changes for contract terms, understanding and articulating contract terms to all relevant parties, providing mediation for discussions and remedial actions, developing consensus and influencing resolution in the best interest of the University.
• Using expert knowledge of procurement strategies, policies and procedures and contract law; providing coaching and mentoring to unit staff on procurement strategies and processes.
• Assigning work and projects to staff daily, ensuring deadlines and requirements are met by balancing and adjusting workloads or shifting resources and promoting excellence in service delivery.
• Suggesting implementation and improvement initiatives, identifying and escalating risk and compliance issues, and service quality assessment.
• Accountability for the supervision of the Procurement Major Projects Team. The functions will include participating in recruitment, on-boarding, training, providing positive and constructive coaching, employee development, performance coaching, escalating to the Director when as required to ensure operational effectiveness and work performance objectives are aligned