Contract Specialist, Procurement General

The Contract Specialist, Procurement plays a crucial role in the efficient functioning of Vancouver Island University’s procurement operations, specifically focusing on all procurement, excluding capital and construction. In his role, you will serve as a subject matter expert for senior leadership, providing valuable insights and recommendations to support decision-making processes. The incumbent will represent senior leadership to external stakeholders, fostering positive relationships and ensuring alignment with the intuition’s objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Procurement Manager or Director, the Contract Specialist is involved in strategic planning, sourcing, negotiating, and managing procurement activities related to all non-capital and non-construction projects. Examples of this include but are not limited to facilities service agreements, IT software, maintenance agreements, and ancillary services. As the Contract Specialist, you will collaborate closely with various departments, vendors, and stakeholders to ensure the procurement process, in its entirety, aligns with institutional goals, regulatory requirements, and best practices. In this role, you will lead and facilitate specialized procurement requirements for acquisitions, including large facility and ancillary-related contracts.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance, or a related field. 
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in contract management and procurement, preferably in a higher education or similar institutional setting.
• An in-depth understanding of post secondary education procurement and contract law is required.
• Strong understanding of procurement principles, practices, and regulations, including public procurement laws and policies.
• Demonstrated experience in sourcing, negotiating, and managing contracts for goods, equipment, and services.