The incumbent is responsible for setting the strategic direction and leading the transformation of procurement and supply management across CN. The role provides executive leadership for enterprise category management, strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, procurement operations, and governance, ensuring procurement strategies are aligned to business priorities, operational requirements, risk mitigation, and long-term value creation. The incumbent positions Procurement as a strategic business partner by advancing category management excellence, digital capabilities, analytics, artificial intelligence, and innovation across the function. A key aspect of the role is developing a robust talent strategy and building a high-performing, future-ready procurement organization. The incumbent is accountable for overall procurement performance, supply chain resilience, and comprehensive risk management, including the active monitoring of macroeconomic trends, commodity exposure, and geopolitical impacts on railroad operations, while championing sustainability and ensuring alignment with corporate objectives and enterprise growth strategies.
· Set the strategic direction and governance framework for category management and sourcing activities across enterprise spend portfolios.
· Provide executive oversight of category strategies, major sourcing initiatives and supplier relationship programs led by procurement teams.
· Ensure procurement strategies support business priorities, operational requirements, growth objectives and long-term value creation.
· Sponsor major commercial negotiations and participate in critical executive-level supplier discussions when required.
· Monitor macroeconomic trends, commodity exposure, supply chain disruptions and geopolitical risks impacting railroad operations
· Proactively identify and highlight critical vulnerabilities, collaborating directly with category teams to design and implement strategic mitigation plans that protect operational continuity
· Establish performance expectations, operating models and service standards for procurement operations and enablement functions
· Oversee the effectiveness of procurement processes, policies and support services through leadership of functional teams
· Monitor organizational performance through key metrics, analytics and governance reviews, ensuring continuous improvement and accountability
· Define the vision and roadmap for procurement technology, digital transformation and process modernization
· Lead and orchestrate enterprise procurement transformation initiatives, establishing the vision, operating model, capabilities, technologies and organizational changes required to achieve world-class performance
· Champion the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence, predictive analytics and emerging digital capabilities that enhance decision quality, automate transactional activities and improve organizational effectiveness
· Provide executive oversight of procurement governance, compliance, audit protocols, supplier risk management and internal control frameworks
· Champion sustainability, environmental, social and governance and supplier inclusion objectives, ensuring they are embedded within procurement strategies and decision-making
· Ensure appropriate risk mitigation and business continuity strategies are established for critical suppliers and supply chains
· Develop trusted relationships that enable procurement to drive enterprise-wide value creation, risk mitigation, innovation and operational excellence
· Partner closely with Operations, Engineering, Finance, Technology, Legal, Sustainability and Commercial leaders to align procurement strategies with enterprise priorities and operational objectives
· Lead, develop and mentor a team of procurement leaders, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration and high performance
· Represent Procurement in enterprise planning, strategic decision-making and cross-functional leadership forums
· Drive succession planning, organizational capability development and workforce strategies for the procurement function
The role has standard working conditions in an office environment with a regular workweek from Monday to Friday and is eligible to participate in CN’s flexible work policy. The role requires being available on call to respond to operational emergencies. Due to the nature of the role, the incumbent must be able to meet tight deadlines and handle pressure and stress. The position requires minimal travel, up to 10%, within Canada and the United States.
· Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in procurement, supply chain, strategic sourcing or related leadership functions
· Experience leading large teams, senior leaders, major spend portfolios and enterprise-wide transformation initiatives
· Experience developing and implementing category management, sourcing governance, supplier relationship management and procurement operating models*
· Experience managing risk, supplier performance, market volatility, business continuity and supply chain resilience in a complex operational environment
· Experience advancing digital procurement, analytics, artificial intelligence, process modernization or enterprise transformation initiatives
*Any requirement above marked with (*) would be considered as an asset (not mandatory)
· Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, Finance or a related field
· Master of Business Administration, recognized procurement designation or supply chain designation*
*Any requirement above marked with (*) would be considered as an asset (not mandatory)
· Demonstrate strategic vision and enterprise leadership to align procurement priorities with long-term business objectives
· Influence, engage and build trust with executive, operational and cross-functional stakeholders
· Lead transformation by setting direction, enabling change and building organizational capability
· Develop talent, support succession planning and foster a collaborative, accountable and inclusive culture
· Apply systems thinking, commercial acumen and sound judgment to manage risk and create enterprise value
· Drive results through disciplined execution, performance management and continuous improvement
· Advanced knowledge of procurement strategy, category management, strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management
· Advanced knowledge of procurement governance, compliance, audit protocols, supplier risk management and internal control frameworks
· Knowledge of market intelligence, commodity exposure, macroeconomic trends, geopolitical risks and supply chain resilience
· Knowledge of procurement technology, digital transformation, analytics, artificial intelligence and process modernization
· Knowledge of sustainability, environmental, social and governance practices and supplier inclusion strategies
· Knowledge of financial management, value realization, operating model design and organizational effectiveness
About CN
CN is a premium railroad that sustainably generates value for our customers, shareholders, employees, and stakeholders with an unwavering commitment to safety and service. Essential to the economy, to the customers, and to the communities it serves, CN safely transports more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year. CN's network connects Canada's Eastern and Western coasts with the U.S. South through a 20,000-mile rail network. CN and its affiliates have been contributing to community prosperity and sustainable trade since 1919. CN powers the North American economy and is committed to programs supporting social responsibility and environmental stewardship.
At CN, we are dedicated to building North America's safest, most inclusive and sustainable railroad, which includes reflecting the communities in which we operate. Research shows that candidates often don't apply unless they feel they fit the job posting at 100%. To all potential applicants, even if you don't meet every job requirement listed in a posting, we still encourage you to apply. If you require an accommodation for the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials, accessible meeting rooms or other accommodations), please get in touch with our team at cnrecruitment@cn.ca.
As an equal opportunity employer, qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law.
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