Strategic Sourcing Advisor - IT, Data and Digital Solutions

Belonging to Air Canada is akin to belonging to a Canadian symbol, Air Canada recently voted best airline in North America. Take your career to new heights by joining our innovative and diverse team at the forefront of passenger air travel.

Air Canada, recognized among Montreal’s Top Employers and proud to be named one of Canada’s diversity-friendly employers, is seeking a Strategic Sourcing Advisor to support the IT, Data and Digital Solutions (IDS) management team at its Montreal headquarters.

Strategic Sourcing consists of several category management teams and a knowledge management team. The successful candidate will play a key role as Category Manager - Strategic Sourcing and Supplier Relations Manager for the IDS directorate. Given the cross-functional nature of IDS procurement at Air Canada, the incumbent will have the opportunity to interact with key stakeholders across many sectors of the Company.

This position is for someone who will play a key role in major supplier selection and supplier relations projects for Air Canada. The successful candidate will draw on their passion for leadership and collaboration to obtain the best value for the Company and build mutually beneficial supplier relationships.

Responsibilities

The Strategic Sourcing Advisor (IDS) acquires essential IT services, systems, and infrastructure, and manages strategic agreements and relationships with key suppliers.

As part of their duties, the incumbent must notably establish partnerships with the manager responsible for a specific IDS category as well as with internal business units and the IDS department to manage the entire supplier lifecycle: establishment of supplier selection strategies, sourcing of supplier bids, participation in commercial and contractual negotiations, interpretation and execution of agreements, strengthening of supplier relationships to build partnerships, monitoring of IDS supplier activities, and contribution to the overall improvement of procurement and supplier relationship management practices at Air Canada.

Here are the details of the main responsibilities:

• Support the establishment of category management strategies for IDS:
  • Develop and maintain an understanding of emerging trends in the industry and in supply markets to strengthen Air Canada's bargaining power.
  • Analyze and monitor spending by category to identify opportunities for strategic supplier selection and potential consolidation of suppliers.
  • Collaborate with the Knowledge Management team to conduct research and analysis.
  • Keep abreast of Air Canada's IDS strategy by collaborating with the IDS department and other business units.
• Coordinate and manage procurement activities:
  • Conduct supply market research and baseline spending analysis.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to determine business requirements and establish supplier selection strategies.
  • Prepare and issue calls for tenders, evaluate responses, and conduct negotiations.
  • Negotiate contracts and coordinate their execution.
  • Ensure that Supplier Relationship Management is in place upon completion of activities.
• Support contract management activities:
  • Monitor expected deliverables and contractual obligations.
  • Manage interpretation procedures and contract disputes.
  • Maintain an updated summary of commercial terms.
• Participate in performance management:
  • Continuously monitor and evaluate performance metrics and report on them.
  • Support the review of service level agreements, key performance indicators, and key risk indicators with corporate strategy and operational execution.
  • Ensure oversight of partners and implementation-related risks.
  • Review the achievement of performance goals and objectives against supplier contracts.
  • Leverage contract knowledge and expertise to ensure better delivery.
• Support expense management:
  • Participate in defining parameters for invoice validation against contracts.
  • Track service level credits, discounts, risk and reward models, and other commercial agreements.
  • Calculate and validate cost-of-living adjustments and related provisions.
  • Develop analyses providing insight into spending trends and opportunities.
• Coordinate relationship management:
  • Support the development of an IDS supplier strategy based on supplier segmentation, performance results, and relationship and cost objectives.
  • Participate in key governance meetings.
  • Plan and conduct annual internal and external contract reviews, and develop action plans to bring about improvements.
  • Recommend opportunities to improve the performance of suppliers and internal service owners.
  • Assess internal customer satisfaction.
  • Create a collaborative environment to identify capabilities and synergies.
  • Maintain effective relationships with all supplier and client groups, and facilitate problem resolution.
  • Provide advice related to procurement strategy while considering performance.
• Contribute to the improvement of internal procurement practices:
  • Participate in defining industry best procurement practices.
  • Design models to evaluate supplier proposals using quantitative and qualitative criteria.
  • Contribute to the development of standardized models and reusable methods of clear communication.
• Act as an ambassador for Strategic Sourcing and Air Canada:
  • Solidify Strategic Sourcing's relationships with internal clients.
  • Communicate effectively and foster the successes of Strategic Sourcing.
  • Actively commit to learning Air Canada's management methods.
  • Continuously seek opportunities for improvement.

Qualifications

• In addition to holding a university degree in a relevant field of study (commerce, law, information technology, engineering), the incumbent of this position must demonstrate excellent analytical, communication, negotiation, and project management skills, as well as an ability to multitask, work under pressure, and adapt to changing priorities. A strong entrepreneurial spirit and a genuine willingness to learn are also essential. A strong sense of organization is essential, and a Master of Business Administration or professional designation is an asset.
• Due to the confidential nature of the work, a high sense of professionalism and discretion is required. The position may also require schedule flexibility and occasional travel.
• Proven punctuality and reliability to promote the overall success of the team in a fast-paced environment.

Employment Conditions:

Candidates must be eligible to work in the country concerned at the time a job offer is presented and are responsible for obtaining work permits, visas, or other necessary authorizations. Proof of eligibility must be provided before the start date.

Language Requirements

All else being equal, preference will be given to bilingual candidates.

Diversity and Inclusion

Air Canada is strongly committed to diversity and inclusion and aims to create a healthy, accessible, and rewarding work environment that highlights the unique contribution of our employees to the success of our business.

As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage the most diverse applications so that we can build a workforce that is varied and representative of our customers and the communities where we live and offer our services.

Air Canada thanks all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.