Category Specialist

Join to apply for the Category Specialist role at Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) 1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants About the Workplace Safety And Insurance Board (WSIB) We’re here to help. When an injury or illness happens on the job, we move quickly to provide wage‑loss benefits, medical coverage and support to help people get back to work. Funded by businesses, we also provide no‑fault collective liability insurance and access to industry‑specific health and safety information. We are one of the largest insurance organizations in North America covering over five million people in more than 300,000 workplaces across Ontario. For more information, visit wsib.ca. At The WSIB, You’ll Have The Opportunity To Explore many career paths and follow your passion Continuously learn and grow professionally Be recognized for the great work you do Participate in programs that support your health and wellbeing You’ll also receive a competitive salary, along with a comprehensive benefit package and defined benefit pension plan. Salary From: $90,639.25 Job Summary Develop and implement category sourcing strategies through the execution of standardized strategic sourcing processes, ensuring seamless transition into the role and making meaningful contributions. Manage suppliers and contracts related to the assigned categories such as risk mitigation, corporate office renovations, design services, facilities management and construction projects by identifying opportunities, evaluating potential sources, ensuring compliance with applicable legislation, industry standards and best practices, negotiating contracts and continually managing supplier relationships to achieve corporate goals. Major Responsibilities Research, assess, and generate options to provide recommendations for the best value to the organization. Manage the planning, development, implementation and delivery of complex and strategic procurement services. Participate in RFxs and review responses in concert with Sourcing Process Facilitators; analyze the RFx responses and drive to the supplier selection decision using an agreed standard framework for RFx documents evaluation and for shortlisted suppliers, tailoring as appropriate in association with the legal services team. Make decisions and take actions contributing toward increased or decreased cost, continuous supply of required goods/services, research and maintenance of long‑term ethical supplier relations. Develop strategic sourcing projects for new clients before or until they fully transition to ongoing Supplier Management. Develop project/action plans, including resource allocation, time frames and deadlines based on scope of project; create work plans to allocate work to project team members; set, monitor and adjust objectives and time frames to accommodate changes and balance various demands. Build negotiation plans, lead supplier negotiations and execute supplier agreement processes, manage negotiations or auction processes as appropriate; ensure broad and active competitive processes appropriate to category strategy; prepare for fact‑based negotiations, planning least and most desired outcomes, arguments and responses. Manage Supplier Relationships For Assigned Categories By Create, implement and maintain supplier segmentation and governance models while adhering to the supplier relationship framework. Manage supplier relationship and performance management for assigned categories and agreements to ensure that service levels and price competitiveness are maintained or enhanced. Resolve contractual and/or performance issues associated with the supplier agreements for which you are responsible. Ensure that market intelligence, benchmarking activities and the supplier performance measurement process deliver value‑adding information. Maintain a supplier profile list of critical and potentially critical suppliers to WSIB based on an annual standardized risk rating methodology, including factors such as operational, financial, reputational, legal, privacy/confidentiality risks, the impacts and contingency plans for the assigned categories. Manage The Contract Process For Assigned Categories By Manage the contract process used in assigned categories through standard contract templates and/or term sheet with preferred and minimum terms and conditions. Liaise with legal services to complete client agreements and any national/local affiliate contracts or exceptions. Develop service level agreements (SLA) with key suppliers including non‑performance penalties and other performance‑based incentives. Reduce variability in demand by negotiation, consolidation of requirements across lines of business for similar materials and services to maximize value for money over lifetime cost. Ensure that agreements are developed and managed in alignment with WSIB frameworks and goals and follow required procurement processes. Provide Line Of Business Sourcing Support By Document spend, usage and record the range of products and/or services for different subcategories and document the category procedure to provide clarity to all demand owners. Lead, manage, coordinate and carry out a wide range of projects and assignments individually or as a project team member under project leaders, including independent review and analysis of special initiatives, understanding and management of sensitive and high‑profile issues. Understand business drivers for WSIB alignment of project work across all client groups and regional offices in scope to plan category review timing, draw up timelines and project plans. Undertake business analysis capturing demand and differing requirements for each client, category and produce opportunity assessments. Lead or assist the client as appropriate in the operational transition/implementation of new suppliers/agreements and/or programs, defining, implementing and managing the communications and transactional purchase and delivery processes and controls. Conduct independent review and analysis of special initiatives as appropriate for management regarding sensitive and high‑profile issues/cases which may result in outsourcing or alteration of work of employees. Contribute to Procurement Services branch’s market and procurement intelligence by: Research the supply market to identify and understand the potential supply base using supplier cost drivers analysis and trends in the industries; analyze the different options by ease and benefit and provide full market analysis and differences in all covered demand points within the line of business client(s). Remain current in relevant industry trends, market conditions and be informed about key market leaders. Research suppliers, build selection criteria and perform supplier analysis; identify, rank and weight supplier selection criteria, accounting for regulatory and legal issues in the supply area. Remain aware of new market and economic offers for specialized services in all respects affecting the WSIB, providing alternatives for service delivery opportunities from current and previous market experience and receive these offers on an ongoing basis as part of supplier responses. Investigate potential opportunities and compare and assess them with existing methods and/or approaches for purposes of making recommendations to management as to an appropriate course of action. Contribute to and drive continuous improvement within Procurement services branch by: Participate in the introduction and promotion of innovative procurement initiatives and solutions that will deliver significant cost reduction and/or service improvement opportunities. Investigate, assess and recommend strategic options to management on sourcing methods, service delivery and savings opportunities. Categorize critical cost models and include activity‑based and supply chain mapping. Maintain quality and service standards in Sourcing and Category Management to support existing customer relationships and deliver continuous improvement. Monitor performance for continuous improvement in the processes used to transact order, deliver, and pay for category concerned. Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned or required. Job Requirements Education requirements: Bachelor’s degree in business/commerce or Bachelor’s degree with supporting courses in business/commerce Experience: 2-4 years in a strategic sourcing and supplier management role Knowledge of strategic sourcing and advanced procurement and purchasing concepts Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion We respect and value the diversity of our people. We strive to create an environment where employees can be themselves and where our differences are celebrated. We value and celebrate diversity and are committed to creating inclusive experiences for both our employees and prospective employees. We invite all interested individuals to apply. If you require accommodations in order to apply to this position please contact If you are invited to participate in the interview or assessment process, you can advise our Recruiter of your accommodation needs at that time. Please visit our EDI Vision to learn more about what actions WSIB are taking to advance our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and to support all employees participating and contributing to their full potential. Disclosing conflicts of interest As public servants, employees at the WSIB have a responsibility to act in an ethical way at all times to create a respectful workplace and maintain public trust. Job applicants are required to disclose any circumstance that could result in a real, potential or perceived conflict of interest. A conflict of interest is any situation where your private interests may impair or be perceived to impair the decisions you make in your official capacity. This may include political activity, directorship, other outside employment and certain personal relationships (e.g. with current WSIB employees, customers and/or stakeholders). If you have any questions about conflict of interest obligations and/or how to make a disclosure, please contact the Talent Acquisition Centre at Privacy information We collect personal information from your resume, application, cover letter and references under the authority of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997. The Talent Acquisition Centre and WSIB hiring parties will use this information to assess/validate your qualifications, determine if you meet the requirements of vacant positions and/or gather information relevant for recruitment purposes. If you have questions or concerns regarding the collection and use of your personal information, please contact the WSIB’s Privacy Office at The Privacy Office cannot provide information about the status of your application. As a precondition of employment, the WSIB requires that prospective candidates undergo a criminal records name check any time before or after they are hired. To apply for this position, please submit your application by the closing date. Seniority level Associate Employment type Full‑time Job function Marketing and Sales Industries Public Safety, Government Administration, and Insurance Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) by 2x Get notified about new Category Specialist jobs in Toronto, Ontario, Canada . #J-18808-Ljbffr