Procurement Specialist

Company: Independent Electricity System Operator

INDEPENDENT ELECTRICITY SYSTEM OPERATOR (IESO)

Requisition ID: 20305

Location: Toronto or Mississauga

Status: Regular

Business Unit: Corporate and Market Services

Why join us?
You've got great skills. And you want to use them in an organization where you know what you do every day matters. We get that. We also know that ensuring Ontarians have access to affordable and reliable power doesn't happen by accident. So we give you the tools, flexibility and support you need to achieve your goals, and development opportunities to help you grow. You'll thrive in a collaborative, team-based environment that values your unique skills and experiences – and recognizes that when you do better, we become even better too.

Who we are
The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) works at the centre of the province's power system, ensuring Ontarians have access to reliable and cost-effective electricity when and where they need it. We operate the province's electricity grid 24/7, design, run and oversee the wholesale electricity markets, and plan and prepare to meet Ontario's electricity needs – now and into the future.

The Opportunity

The Procurement Specialist is responsible for leading the IESO and its stakeholders in its procurement of goods and services, including high value and complex acquisitions, in a manner that upholds the reputation and integrity of the organization. These responsibilities include providing strategic advice, managing procurement processes, managing stakeholder relationships and expectations, risk management, contracting and vendor management. The Procurement Specialist will provide progressive and proactive procurement services to help Business Units achieve their objectives, while striking the appropriate balance between serving business needs and compliance with applicable policies, legislation and contract law. The Procurement Specialist ensures that procurement services add value to the IESO, demonstrating excellence, fairness, integrity, openness and transparency, with a goal of ensuring value for money. The Procurement Specialist represents the IESO in a professional manner through strategic procurement processes while maintaining superior client services. The Procurement Specialist also supports the Manager in policy and process development and in planning and coordination.

What You'll be Doing

• Provide strategic procurement advice, guidance and assistance including the interpretation and explanation of procurement practice standards, policies and procedures to a broad client base, including internal and external stakeholders.
• Responsible for ensuring that best practices are utilized that encompass due diligence and cost-effectiveness.
• Monitors and ensures compliance with government procurement directives, IESO standards, regulations and policies.
• Lead and facilitate procurement planning, collaborating across Business Units to successfully implement procurement strategies and foster alignment of similar needs.
• Provide strategic advice and solutions to Business Units where issues extend past the general scope of procurement practice and require alternative solutions, including identifying areas of opportunities and risk.
• Act as a fairness monitor during the procurement process, from initial planning through to the execution of an agreement.
• Manage the IESO's competitive procurement process, including the development of RFx and other solicitation documents, securing approvals, posting procurement on appropriate e-tendering sites, coordinating questions and responses, preparing and issuing clarifying addenda, and managing the receipt of submissions, all in accordance with procurement policies and standards and ensuring an open, fair and transparent process is adhered to throughout.
• Develop and recommend robust evaluation criteria to ensure integrity and fairness of the procurement process.
• Facilitate all evaluation meetings, providing guidance, conflict resolution, clarifying ambiguities and resolving issues, communicating with tact and diplomacy, while maintaining the balance of a fair and transparent process.
• Lead the selection, negotiation and execution of contracts. Administer the approval of purchase orders and other agreements. Ensure that contract terms and conditions, including any statements of work, incorporate deliverables, scope, schedule, quality and cost.
• Negotiate favorable prices and terms for the delivery of goods and services.
• Investigate and verify rationale for non-competitive, single or sole source requests, advising on compliance with applicable standards and policies and other areas of risk to the organization.
• Consult with legal services, where required, on complex procurement document preparation, negotiations, and risk mitigation strategies, exercising sound judgement in the incorporation of recommendations in accordance with procurement policies and standards.
• Manage the preparation and issuance of contract amendments, ensuring compliance with applicable standards and policies, ensuring that references to terms, conditions, appendices and other relevant documentation is accurately and consistently referenced.
• Manage all correspondence throughout the procurement process with internal and external stakeholders.
• Facilitate the vendor debriefing process, in a controlled and structured manner, including providing guidance to Business Units on appropriate communication and messaging, providing constructive feedback to vendors for future relationships and managing conflict resolution as necessary.
• Investigate vendor complaints on process, escalating and coordinating with Senior Management and Vice Presidents and others as required to respond.
• Administer records retention of procurement documents, including contractual agreements and all documentation as required by applicable standards and policies.
• Support external and internal audit requests, providing required documentation.
• Manage the review and approval of purchase requisitions, ensuring accuracy, completeness, compliance with policies and standards, appropriateness of the approving authorities and the submission of supporting documentation.
• Provide training as necessary and when requested by all levels of staff on procurement processes, policies, standards, and systems.
• Participate in special projects, as requested.
• Consolidate information and prepare reports on procurement performance as required by Manager, Executives, Board of Directors and Audit Committee.
• Provide guidance, direction, training and mentorship to junior members of the Procurement team. Assign procurement work under general supervision and monitor in respect to quality and accuracy.
• Maintain an awareness of the latest developments in the areas of sourcing strategies and innovations, procurement law, and contract administration to contribute to strategic discussions with Business Units, Directors and Managers.
• Maintain market intelligence for robust vendor screening and monitoring.

And other duties or responsibilities as may be assigned.

What You Need to Succeed

• University Degree in a business related discipline from a recognized University.
• Understanding of public sector procurement practices and procurement related contract law.
• Professional Designation or Certification through SCMA and/or demonstrated commitment to obtaining certification is strongly preferred.
• Minimum of six (6) years progressively responsible experience in public procurement of a diverse variety of services in an organization of similar size, complexity and diversity, including RFx development, competitive sourcing, negotiating and contract drafting.
• Experience in organizing and managing large volumes of work.
• Experience with procurement software.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, remain objective and communicate using a strong degree of diplomacy and tact.
• Ability to analyze and manage complex problems, considering cost and risk implications and the ability to resolve problems identifying underlying trends, strengths, weaknesses and opportunities even when the information is complex and involves multiple stakeholders.
• Expert procurement and contracting knowledge with sufficient familiarity of legal terminology to be able to interpret and understand a variety of contractual terms and conditions.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills with proven experience in creating solicitation documents, contracts, statement of work, formal reports and other relevant correspondence.
• Ability to perform all duties with minimal direction or instruction by the Manager.
• High degree of accuracy is required for prevention and detection of any errors. Procurement errors could have serious and long-lasting effects for the IESO with public procurement, financial loss and reputational risk.
• Ability to manage and organize a high level and volume of information with competing priorities.
• Exceptional approach to client service and interpersonal skills, with an ability to work within a variety of team environments.
• Exceptional leadership and project management skills.

What's in it for you

• A comprehensive total rewards program, including best-in-class benefits and a flexible workplace.
• A challenging, fast-paced and collaborative team environment, where your perspectives and experiences matter.
• Leaders who support your growth and success through regular feedback and coaching.
• The opportunity to work with some of the brightest minds in the industry.

Deadline: March 31, 2025.

For future reference, please ensure to save a copy of the job description as it will no longer be available once the posting closes.

At the IESO, we know that achieving great results depends on embracing diversity by attracting, developing and retaining people from a wide variety of backgrounds. We do this by ensuring our recruitment and advancement policies are fair and equitable, and by creating an accessible and inclusive environment – one that values every team member's unique skills and experiences and ensures they have the support they need to achieve their potential. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please let us know.

We thank you for your interest in a career at the IESO, but we will only contact those candidates selected for an interview. Note: The successful candidate must be eligible to work in Canada and will be subject to a background check. The IESO offers a hybrid work model program to most of our employees, based on business needs. Individuals participating in the program can work an average of three days per week remotely within Ontario. It also offers three flex weeks when individuals can work remotely within Ontario. When working in the office, you will be located at our Mississauga, Toronto, or Oakville location.