Category Lead - Rogers, Brampton

The opportunity

Rogers is looking for dedicated team members to join our Corporate team who have a genuine passion for making positive impacts on customers and communities. The Procurement IT professional services team is seeking a Category Lead eager to join our group. Reporting to the Director of Procurement IT Services, the Category Lead will be proficient within the spend category and work with business partners to manage strategic direction, total cost of ownership, and risk. Your task will be to establish optimal commercial arrangements for next-generation Cybersecurity and IT professional services aligned with Rogers strategic business objectives, advancing Procurement's trusted advisor status.

Key duties

• Manage and own assigned spend category strategies to drive towards procurement and company objectives and business partner goals.
• Manage acquisitions of materials, supplies, equipment, and services and review purchase requisitions for accurate data and appropriate authorization.
• Leads and ensures usage of Procurement tools, processes, policies and standards.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to influence, develop, and gain buy-in on aligned category strategies and advance key supplier partnership aligned with such strategy with a focus on strategic opportunities.
• Provide leadership and guidance to business partners and the IT Procurement team on best-in-class procurement practices, on-going advancements and opportunities associated with assigned categories, and strategic category insights to support delivery of company objectives.
• Provide professional and technical acumen for preparing Requests for Proposals (RFPs), contracts, bid proposals and compare bids and evaluates options.
• Supports the IT Professional Services Team to ensure their sourcing initiatives are on-track to deliver value.
• Lead and own relationships with assigned suppliers within your categories, ensuring fulfilment of contractual obligations and business partner requirements.
• Act as a first level escalation point for issues related to suppliers for which you are identified as the procurement prime.
• Manage assigned supplier issue and dispute escalations to settlement, including negotiations and settlement agreement execution.
• Responsible for building, maintaining, and enhancing solid relationships with key internal stakeholders across the organization to ensure suppliers within the category and the category strategy are meeting business needs.
• Challenging the status quo by actively participating in and taking an active role in the continuous improvement, implementation of innovations and automations to create best-in-class procurement practices that are intuitive and user-friendly for internal stakeholders and suppliers.
• Implement and champion ethical procurement practices, procurement policies, supplier social responsibility objectives, and supplier diversity and sustainability programs.
• Act as internal consultant to business owners on sourcing practices, supplier performance, compliance, and risk management policies, processes, and procurement standard practices.

What you'll bring

• University degree in business, engineering, computer science, math, or related field with a general understanding of business operations, financial modeling, and subject matter expertise to influence business decisions.
• 3 years+ procurement, telecommunications, IT or equivalent experience.
• Experience managing complex projects in telecommunications industry or IT is a strong asset.
• Procurement designation/certification desirable but not required - Supply Chain Management Professional (SCMP), Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), Purchasing Management Association of Canada (PMAC).
• Excellent communications, listening and influencing skills, able to communicate complex information to decision makers and key stakeholders in a clear and concise manner.
• Critical thinking mindset and analytic skills, along with creativity to seek, encourage and find non-traditional approaches.
• Professional executive presence with a demonstrated ability to navigate difficult situations through relationship building and influencing others.
• Results-driven approach for both short and long term objectives.
• Ability to execute against multiple projects and excel in a fast-paced, results-oriented work environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills as a demonstrated collaborator.
• High standard of computer and data manipulation and interpretation skills, particularly in relation to financial, project management and technical applications.

Why you'll love it here

Rogers believes in investing in our people and helping them reach their potential as valuable members of our team. As part of our team, you will have access to a wide range of incredible resources, growth opportunities, discounts, and perks:

• Competitive and flexible health and dental benefits, pension plan, RRSP, TFSA, and Stock matching programs.
• Discounts including up to 50% off Rogers Services and Blue Jays Tickets, 25% off TSC items, and a 20% discount on all wireless accessories sold in Rogers stores.
• Paid time off for volunteering and company matching contributions to charities you support.
• Growth and development opportunities including the My Path self-driven career development program and Rogers First priority in applying to internal roles.
• Wellness programs including Homewood employee and family assistance program, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, virtual therapy sessions, and low or no-cost fitness memberships.