Procurement Category Lead

About Us
The Ontario Cannabis Store provides safe, responsible access to recreational cannabis for adults 19 and older. We operate the provincial online store for recreational cannabis in Ontario and are the exclusive provincial wholesaler to authorized private retail stores.
Working at the OCS is a unique opportunity to be part of an agile start-up in a ground-breaking new industry. We’re a diverse team passionate about delivering a great customer experience, working together with mutual respect and building value out of our differences. We’re an inclusive organization that understands that delivering great results comes out of ensuring every voice is heard.
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Procurement Category Lead - Special Projects to join our team. In this role, you will lead and support the full procurement life cycle for complex and high-impact projects across multiple indirect procurement categories.
The Procurement Category Lead - Special Projects will work on both procurement-specific engagements and broader strategic initiatives that aim to enhance operational efficiency and control category spend. This is a dynamic role suited for a procurement professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is skilled at managing cross-functional priorities.
About Your Day
- Leads procurement engagements by conducting kick-off meetings, assessing client readiness, recommending engagement strategies, and ensuring compliance with policies, timelines, and risk considerations.
- Manages the full vendor engagement cycle, including notifications, debrief sessions, and maintaining data integrity across systems for reporting and tracking purposes.
- Partners with category leaders to gather insights, support procurement planning, and contribute to reporting and business alignment.
- Drives procurement process improvements and supports supplier development initiatives by implementing innovative solutions that reduce costs and enhance service delivery.
- Promotes proactive vendor management through data collection, performance tracking, benchmarking, and market research to identify and assess strategic opportunities.
- Champions an inclusive, diverse, and innovative culture that encourages continuous improvement, collaboration, and empowerment.

About You
- Post-Secondary education in business/commerce or related field, and/or supporting courses in business/commerce, finance, procurement, supply chain, or other related areas, or a relevant combination of education and experience. (Bachelor’s degree is an asset)
- 4-5 years in an indirect strategic sourcing category role (IT, professional services/consulting, marketing etc.) and/or similar category vendor management role.
- Knowledge of indirect strategic sourcing and advanced procurement and strategic sourcing concepts.
- Intermediate knowledge of legal/commercial contract negotiations and the key contract terms that drive risks.
- Advance knowledge of legal/commercial contract negotiations and the key contract terms that drive risks
- Public sector procurement knowledge and experience including appropriate provincial and federal requirements is an asset
- Sound knowledge of or certification in procurement / Supply Chain Management including, but not limited to: SCMAO, CPPB, CPPO, PSPP or equivalent is preferred
- Experience with ServiceNow or other Procurement/Contract Management software is preferred

Perks of Joining Our Team
- Flexible Work Environment: Hybrid model to help balance both work and life
- Public Service Pension Plan: participate in a major defined benefit pension plan sponsored by the Government of Ontario
- Variable Pay Program: performance-based incentives to share in our success (for eligible positions)
- Learning & Development: Access to robust online learning and professional development programs
- Comprehensive Benefits: Different benefits options to support individual and/or family needs, including access to an Employee and Family Assistance Program
- WorkPerks: Discounts on various products and services
- Inclusive Culture: A workplace where every voice is heard and valued

About the Job
- This position currently offers a hybrid work schedule. The current in office requirement is a minimum of 3 days/week (may be more depending on business needs). The OCS office is located near York Mills and Yonge St. However, OCS reserves the right to change this policy and its office location at any time.
- City: Toronto, ON
- Employment Type: Permanent, Full-Time
- Required Travel: Rare, usually within the GTA

Compensation