Procurement and Contract Specialist

The Procurement and Contract Specialist operates independently and applies advanced procurement strategy to manage the full lifecycle of institutionally significant competitive bidding projects. The role provides advanced strategic sourcing support and ensures all processes are compliant with the Broader Public Sector (BPS) Procurement Directive, applicable trade agreements (e.g. Canadian-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA)), funding agency requirements, and University policies. The incumbent works closely with internal stakeholders to develop innovative, risk-informed procurement strategies that deliver value-for-money and uphold transparency, fairness, and accountability.

This position is covered by the Terms and Conditions of the OPSEU Unit 677 Collective Agreement (Unit 2). A copy is available on the NOSM University website.

**Responsibilities**:
**Strategic Sourcing & Competitive Procurement**
- Independently manages end-to-end procurement processes for complex, high-risk, or institutionally significant sourcing projects, under the strategic direction of the Manager. Provides strategic input into sourcing approaches, evaluation frameworks, and contract structures to ensure alignment with institutional goals, compliance requirements, and long-term value-for-money outcomes.
- Executes large-scale, multi-year, or multi-stakeholder procurement projects, including those involving external funders or specialized technical requirements. Applies advanced project management and documentation practices to ensure compliance, transparency, and successful outcomes, even under tight timelines or evolving needs.
- Demonstrates initiative by independently researching procurement methodologies, drafting options, and market intelligence to strengthen outcomes and reduce risk exposure.
- Develops and implements advanced sourcing strategies (e.g., negotiated RFPs, phased competitive dialogue, multi-phase evaluations) that drive value-for-money, mitigate risk, and ensure compliance with public sector trade and procurement legislation.
- Collaborates with internal stakeholders to assess needs, formulate procurement strategies, and shape RFx deliverables. Advises on market conditions, supplier capacity, and lifecycle considerations with a focus on long-term impact and sustainability.
- Conducts in-depth research, supplier outreach, benchmarking, and total cost of ownership analysis to inform strategy and support evidence-based decision-making.
- Facilitates procurement planning and evaluation committee processes, ensuring fairness, consistency, and compliance with public sector procurement regulations. Supports evaluation panel members by providing procedural guidance and ensuring that all evaluation activities are auditable and thoroughly documented.
- Leads the drafting and authorship of complex, high-value RFx documents, integrating technical specifications, business objectives, and contractual obligations. Applies expert-level knowledge of competitive procurement, evaluation design, and legal clauses to ensure clarity, transparency, and regulatory compliance.
- Takes a holistic and forward-looking approach to procurement by anticipating how sourcing strategies, contract structures, and vendor decisions will influence long-term outcomes, operational efficiency, and institutional goals.
- Facilitates supplier debriefings and supports issue resolution related to procurement processes, in alignment with guidance from the Manager and in coordination with relevant stakeholders.
- Provides strategic procurement support for complex, externally funded capital and research projects (e.g., CFI, CCAC, FedNor), ensuring compliance with funder requirements and documentation standards.

**Contract Development & Supplier Relationship Management**
- Drafts and supports the negotiation of complex contracts and amendments, including terms, conditions, pricing, and deliverables, in collaboration with the Manager and relevant stakeholders.
- Provides expert interpretation and practical recommendations on contractual clauses, recommending risk mitigation strategies and supporting context-specific solutions.
- Collaborates with internal stakeholders, including the Manager, Procurement Services and the Director of Planning & Risk to review and refine contract language in alignment with legal, policy, and funding agency requirements.
- Supports contract lifecycle activities, including monitoring deliverables, coordinating renewals and extensions, and addressing vendor performance issues with a balanced, solutions-oriented approach, escalating issues to the Manager as appropriate.
- Acts as a liaison for supplier relationship matters related to assigned contracts, helping to address performance concerns, support issue resolution and maintaining documentation, while promoting constructive supplier engagement, escalating complex or high-risk concerns to the Manager as appropriate.