About Us

The procurement branch of Nova Scotia’s Department of Service Nova Scotia is an exciting place to work. We are a growing group of innovative and passionate procurement professionals that are helping our clients procure the best vendor relationships to support the needs of our clients and, in turn, the people of Nova Scotia. Our main clients are Nova Scotia Government and Nova Scotia Health. We are looking for unique individuals that share our vision and values in providing quality leadership and support to their procurement specialists.

About Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Operations Manager, the Category Manager provides leadership of a team of Procurement Specialists under the Construction (Buildings) portfolio, by ensuring exceptional service delivery is provided to clients while always understanding the “voice of the customer.”

As a leader that cares about building and supporting a dedicated and loyal team, you will have a proven track record in mentorship, delivering results, promoting engagement, collaboration and leading by example while supporting diversity and a healthy workplace.

Primary Accountabilities

In a typical work week, you can expect to:
 

• Provide mentorship to procurement specialists in their development by helping them apply the most effective and innovative procurement methods to their daily work;
• Deliver category management and strategic sourcing practices; 
• Coordinate category plans with clients to develop/update timing of project deliverables, costs, and  savings.
• Work with the Operations Manager to provide advice, and ensure the  understanding of the future requirements of NS Government and NSH.
• Facilitate issuing complex Request for Proposals, contract negotiations and management, and provide public procurement guidance in best practices and standards. 
  
  

Qualifications and Experience

To be successful in this role, you will have a post-secondary degree in a related discipline (such as Business Administration, Engineering or Commerce), and a minimum of 5 years' experience in a senior procurement role managing complex procurement projects.  An equivalent combination of education and related experience will be considered.

Candidate must have demonstrated experience in leading, coaching, and mentoring others in a diverse environment, as well as team building and employee development.

This position aligns well with candidates who also have:
 

• Demonstrated experience in relationship building;
• Category, project and change management skills;
• Demonstrated experience in public or private sector procurement;
• Demonstrated experience in developing complex RFPs end to end for clients and negotiating subsequent agreements;
• Ability to analyze, understand and articulate market trends, total cost of ownership, and articulating opportunities as part of a business case for a client; 
• Demonstrated experience in developing strategic sourcing plans with a strong understanding of how to execute on each phase of the plan;
• A demonstrated commitment to service excellence through continuous improvement methodologies;
• Experience dealing with service delivery escalations and issues from various client groups;
• Demonstrated flexibility and collaboration in how you lead, manage, and deliver client service;
• A commitment to focusing on a culture that provides customer service above and beyond what is expected;
• Strong understanding of procurement law and trade agreements and how they work within public procurement environments;
• Organization, time management and motivational skills; and
• A leadership style that is driven, energetic and has a high degree of professional integrity.
  
  

Experience in the following are considered Assets:

• Experience in developing multi-year category management plans;
• Public sector procurement supply chain environment
• Public Procurement certification or Supply Chain designation, or working towards it. (Examples: Supply Chain Management Professional (SCMP) or SMT Certificate from
• Supply Chain Canada (formerly Supply Chain Management Association, SCMA), PSPP (Public Sector Procurement Program), Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) or equivalent)
• Experience in facilitating Construction and/or general goods and fleet procurements.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

An equivalent combination of training, education and experience will be considered. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

The Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.  For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Additional Information

Please note this is a full-time, permanent position.

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career
• Engaging workplace: our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Countless career paths
• A Dynamic, client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus.