Senior Buyer

Your impact starts with every purchase.

Not only can you borrow with Edmonton Public Library (EPL), now you can also buy EPL is seeking an experienced Senior Buyer to join our Supply Chain team.

As the Senior Buyer will perform purchasing and supply chain functions with the responsibility and authority to make commitments for the procurement of a wide range of high value goods and services for EPL. Your work will also focus on sourcing to ensure the successful initiation, research, analysis, and tendering of EPL procurement while providing support to Buyers. From outfitting our Makerspace with cutting edge technology to sourcing the innovative furniture and shelving used in our branches, to leading procurement for construction projects, our buys are as varied as our libraries.

You will work closely with internal stakeholders to provide procurement planning and advice for competitive, invitational, and non-competitive procurement. Starting on the ground floor, you will work closely with internal stakeholders to define their requirements to develop an appropriate sourcing strategy.

You will determine contract requirements and lead the development of agreements, execute contracts, monitor contract performance, resolve disputes, and close out contracts. A key function of this role is to safeguard strong vendor relations and communication to ensure that the terms and conditions of contracts are being satisfied. As a seasoned professional, your exceptional multi-tasking abilities combined with your outstanding organizational skills are vital in this role.

Customer service is paramount to everything that we do at EPL. As the ideal candidate, your excellent relationship building skills are essential to customer satisfaction and vendor relations. Your attention to detail will be instrumental in composing and/or providing support in developing various competitive procurement documents and ensuring the accuracy of contracts, agreements, and purchase order documentation.

Job Requirements:

• Completion of a related university degree.
• A minimum of five years of related purchasing experience, including experience in a corporate centralized purchasing environment.
• Experience planning and leading high value procurements including multi-stage procurements.
• Experience with construction delivery methods, and related procurement/contracting approaches for planning, design, and construction services.
• Experience with public sector procurement is an asset.
• Experience using SAP is preferred.
• Experience with an Information Technology, Facility Management, Marketing, Events and Social procurement portfolios.
• Completion of an appropriate professional purchasing designation such as the Supply Chain Management Professional Designation (SCMP), Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) or Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) from the Universal Public Procurement Certification Council (UPPCC) is an asset.

Note: Education/training equivalencies may be considered. A developmental opportunity may be considered at a lower classification and salary level.

What do you need to bring to this position?

• Demonstrated experience in successfully managing vendor relations.
• Demonstrated understanding and ability to lead procurement contracts throughout their entire lifecycle while monitoring performance and progress to ensure compliance.
• Strong understanding and demonstrated experience in category management.
• Ability to understand and address the challenges related to procurement.
• Expert knowledge of procurement policies, procedures, tender and contract law, and trade agreements as well as various procurement strategies.
• Detail-oriented with a demonstrated ability to multi-task and manage time effectively.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, including interpersonal, negotiation, facilitation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Strong customer service orientation with the ability to understand the needs of the client.
• Demonstrated ability in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external customers including vendors.
• A continuous improvement mindset.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office and ERP computer systems.

Note: Satisfactory background screening is required for this position, which includes a Criminal Record Check/Police Information Check.

Who we are:

The secret ingredient for making EPL a magical place is no secret at all; in fact, it's very simple: We share. We share stories, ideas and experiences. We share with our customers, our communities, and ourselves. We are Edmonton's largest lender of all manner of information and entertainment.

Pay Band:

$43.41 to $55.41 per hour*

• Approximately $79,326 - $101,241 per annum based on a 35 hour work week.