Section Manager, Supply Chain

Job Responsibility: Location Toronto Employment Category Regular Full-Time Department Operations Job Reference 10406 Founded in 2002, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is a not-for-profit organization tasked with the safe, long-term management of Canada's intermediate- and high-level radioactive waste, in a manner that protects people and the environment for generations to come. The NWMO has been guided for more than 20 years by a dedicated team of world-class scientists, engineers and Indigenous Knowledge Holders who are developing innovative and collaborative solutions for nuclear waste management. In 2024, the NWMO selected Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and the Township of Ignace as the hosts for the site for a deep geological repository for used nuclear fuel. This decision means our office and staff will, in the future, be relocating to Ignace, Ont., and the deep geological repository will be situated in the area near Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and the Township of Ignace. Infrastructure planning and development are underway to support this transition and ensure that both the community and our employees are well served and supported, now and in the future. Section Manager, Supply Chain Fulltime - One (1) Position Available Position Location: Toronto Head Office - 22 St. Clair Avenue East OR Ignace, Ontario - 304 Main Street Job Summary: Reporting to the Manager, Supply Chain the Section Manager will lead a team in planning, executing and co-ordinating multi-faceted technical procurement assignments for consulting services and engineered products. The Section Manager, Supply Chain will be responsible for developing and analyzing procurement planning strategies and developing, negotiating, writing, and implementing supplier master agreements or major contracts to purchase materials and services that are technically, commercially, and legally complex.

Responsibilities

• Determine and establish strategic sourcing initiatives. Participate in Supply Chain's strategic sourcing/procurement planning teams comprised of senior management and stakeholders, to develop and analyze procurement and sourcing planning strategies that are complex and potentially a considerable risk to the corporation and assess procurement support requirements.
• Develop, negotiate and implement supplier master agreements or major contracts that are technically, commercially and legally complex and have a significant financial risk crossing several business units to achieve the lowest total life cycle costs and maximum value. Conduct market surveillance and establish marketplace capability, performance criteria and measures for the agreements and re-engineer business processes where applicable. Structure the Master Agreements to take advantage of the co-operation and expertise of the vendor community and identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives. Manage these procurement projects from start to completion with minimal advice from manager.
• Work with internal stakeholders to develop, improve and implement, appropriate contract standards and templates to meet evolving business needs.
• Act as an expert resource to staff and suppliers on the company's procurement processes and commercial considerations. Respond to vendor inquiries regarding supplier qualification procedures, bidding processes, contract standards, quality assurance programs, etc. Provide assistance to other procurement staff on commercial and technical matters including bid list preparation, safety, quality and regulatory requirements, surveillance assignment, acceptance criteria and testing manufacturing problems, etc.
• Provide project management leadership for assigned projects.
• Supervise and provide direction to section staff, establish clear roles and responsibilities and annual performance objectives as well as provide regular performance feedback, coaching and training.
• Provide analytical and strategic supply planning/procurement support for complex/major projects and contract negotiations.
• Provide negotiating expertise and lead/participate in negotiations with suppliers as required.
• Organize and coordinate specialized expertise (e.g. legal, finance, risk insurance, etc.), for reviewing and providing input into master agreements and for participation in major project contract negotiations.
• Prepare recommendations and documentation to enable the approval and execution of major agreements. Arrange and award procurement contracts, together with the ongoing administration of those contracts.
• Prepare information memoranda and/or presentations for senior management and be capable of making presentations to support recommendations. Notify the client community of procurement arrangements and the contractual details.
• Prepare and manage surveillance assignments based on past experience and knowledge of product function, quality level, required level of reliability, maintainability, etc. Exercise judgment in balancing surveillance costs against probability and consequence of failure. Review inspection and test plans, manufacturing schedules, surveillance reports, drawing submissions, concession applications and other contract documentation. Prepare inspection assignments including product verification plans.
• Ensure quality and delivery of products or services fully meet client requirements and expectations and take the necessary and timely corrective actions to rectify any problems.
• Assist customers in the disposal of products or materials through resale, reuse, recycling or discarding of same using approved business and/or environmental practices.
• Interact with, participate on or lead cross-functional sourcing teams
• Provide support to other supply chain functions to identify future sourcing opportunities and in the management of assigned category/commodity and sourcing activities.
• Provide advice and guidance to staff involved in supply chain activities including supervisors and managers on procurement strategies and ensure it is followed through in order to manage corporate risks. Provide support as required on complex projects.
• Within the general context of the job responsibilities lead or participate in continuous improvement initiatives and make suggestions to manager on how to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the department, processes, governance, etc., and how to best meet the needs of our customer.
• Ensure employee health and safety activities meet or exceed the health, safety and environment requirements as outlined in NWMO policies, procedures and standards by supporting a strong safety culture.
• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications and Experience

• 4-year university degree in business, commerce or a technical/engineering program or an equivalent level of education sufficient to obtain certification as a Supply Chain Management Professional.
• Over 10 years of relevant experience in strategic sourcing and procurement activities.
• Strong leadership abilities to manage, direct, support and coach a group of employees.
• Strong technical knowledge to understand technically complex contracts and vendor capabilities for consulting services and engineered products.
• Demonstrated experience developing and writing complex contracts, negotiating with suppliers and, building effectively manage business relationships with suppliers.
• Demonstrated experience in purchasing technically complex equipment, products, technical and management consulting services and services for major construction projects, and/or where the socio-economic or other processes are developmental and specialized in nature.
• Strong negotiating skills to develop contract terms and conditions and to resolve disputes.
• Strong leadership skills with direct experience supervising, coaching and co-ordinating activities of employees.
• Strong communication skills and to prepare contracts and recommendations to senior management, to negotiate complex/major contracts.
• Proven organizational skills, be a self-starter who can work independently and in a team environment that is dedicated to excellence.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully manage multiple projects/assignments with competing priorities.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience working with ERP systems with a strong understanding of underlying process flows is required.
• Experience with ERP implementations is considered asset
• Experience with Power Bi, and HotDocs considered an asset.

Other Information

Must be eligible to work in Canada and must be able to meet security clearance requirements. Candidates residing in the Greater Toronto Area: Office Location - 22 St. Clair Avenue East until their role is required to relocate. NWMO currently operates in a hybrid work model of 3 days in the office (Tuesdays being universal) and 2 days working from home. We offer a competitive base salary, health care benefits, and a defined benefit pension plan. The NWMO is committed to contributing to Reconciliation in all its work by co-creating a shared future built on rights, equity and well-being. As an employment equity employer, NWMO actively seeks Indigenous Peoples, members of visible minorities, women, people with disabilities, and additional diverse identities for our workforce. The NWMO will provide accommodation to applicants with disabilities.