Specialist, Procurement

Position Type:

Closing Date:

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Working for the City of Burlington

A great career is closer than you think. Come work for the City of Burlington, where you'll be joining an innovative and progressive workplace focused on building a 21st century city that respects the diversity of our residents, visitors and employees; and prioritizes continuous opportunities for you to learn and grow.

We don't just spend time attracting the best talent. We spend time and resources to keep the best talent. This may include: flexible working hours, mobile and hybrid working arrangements, a great pension and benefits package, as well as programs to foster innovation and leadership.

Hours of Work

35 hours per week

Department

Finance

Location

This position is eligible for a hybrid work model. When attending an event or meeting in person, your primary office location will be based out of Sims Square, 390 Brant Street, Burlington, Ontario. Work location is subject to change at the discretion of the City due to operational demands. Effective 2026 this role will be required to be on site 50% of the time each month.

Position Overview

The Specialist, Procurement provides leadership and expertise in the procurement of Citywide goods and services. This role offers strategic procurement advice, recommends the most suitable procurement methodologies, develops bid documents, and ensures full oversight throughout the procurement lifecycle. The Specialist also leads negotiations with suppliers on purchase and lease agreements, contract extensions, and change orders.

Responsibilities

In this role, you will:

• Oversee procurement and audit processes, provide strategic procurement guidance, and mitigate risks.

• Ensure City-wide compliance with procurement legislation, Trade Agreements, policies, by-laws, and best practices while achieving best value for taxpayer dollars.

• Seek guidance from internal and external legal counsel when required. Mediate and facilitate resolution of disputes between departments and suppliers, address post-award conflicts and mitigate issues as they arise.

• Lead and facilitate bid evaluation processes, ensuring fairness, transparency, and compliance. Provide procurement advice to departments on selecting the most appropriate procurement methodology and strategy.

• Plan and implement effective procurement strategies by monitoring market trends, commodity pricing, and technological developments to support innovative, value-driven purchasing.

• Analyze corporate spend data to assess contract and policy compliance, identify efficiencies, and support informed purchasing decisions.

• Ensure contract compliance, while managing contract lifecycles, including renewals, pricing negotiations, change orders, risk and insurance requirements, security (bonds), and vendor performance.

• Review purchase requisitions for accuracy and compliance.

• Manage the electronic bid solicitation system to ensure a transparent, paperless, end-to-end process.

• Represent the City in cooperative procurement initiatives such as the Halton Cooperative Purchasing Group (HCPG).

• Prepare or support Delegated Authority and Council Award reports with relevant procurement insights.

• Lead supplier negotiations to secure favourable terms and ensure alignment with City requirements.

• Mediate and resolve disputes between City departments and vendors to support successful contract outcomes.

• Participate in departmental and corporate committees to bring a procurement perspective to long-term strategic decision-making.

• Participate in departmental steering committees and corporate teams to bring a procurement lens to discussions and support long-term strategic decision-making.

Requirements

You have a degree/diploma in Business or a related field.  Certified Supply Chain Management Professional (CSCMP) or Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) accreditations is required. This is combined with 4 to 7 years of purchasing experience. Public sector experience is preferred.

You bring a strategic, solutions-focused approach to your work, using your strengths in communication, negotiation, analytical thinking, and problem-solving to drive meaningful results. In this role, you’ll help mediate and resolve supplier issues, support strategic sourcing initiatives, and shape procurement practices across the organization. As part of a forward-thinking and collaborative team, you’ll have the opportunity to grow your career while contributing to efficient, transparent, and innovative procurement operations that make a lasting impact.

You bring a strategic, solutions-focused approach to your work. Your strengths in communication, negotiation, analytical-thinking, problem-solving will help you mediate and resolve supplier issues, support strategic sourcing initiatives, and influence corporate-wide procurement practices. Working as part of a forward-looking team, your collaborative and interpersonal skills provide you with the opportunity to grow your career while contributing to efficient, transparent, and innovative procurement operations.

Accommodations

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the City of Burlington accommodates the individual needs of applicants with disabilities within the recruitment process. Please call us at 905-335-7602 or email us at: hr@burlington.ca if you require accommodation to ensure your equal participation in the recruitment and selection process.

Note to Applicants:

We thank all those who apply for positions, but only those applicants who are invited for an interview will be contacted.