Strategic Procurement Partner - Global Travel

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Air Canada, ranked among the top five most attractive companies to work for in Canada, is looking for a team member for its Montreal headquarters.

Strategic Procurement includes several category management teams and a Centre of Excellence that provides support. The person holding this position will play a key role as Category Manager for all aspects concerning hotel accommodation selection and ground transportation initiatives for crew, passengers, business travel, training, and activities. Given the scale and diverse nature of this portfolio's activities, the incumbent will have the opportunity to interact with key stakeholders in many sectors of the Company. They will report to the Director – Strategic Procurement – Global Transport and Accommodation

This position is for someone who will play a key role in creating synergies and optimizing spending with hotels across all Air Canada divisions. The incumbent will draw on their passion for leadership and collaboration to achieve the best value for the Company and build mutually beneficial relationships with suppliers.

Responsibilities:

The Manager – Strategic Procurement – Global Travel – Hotels and Ground Transport will lead supplier selection projects relating to Air Canada's major commercial and operational priorities. The Global Travel category includes procurement activities related to crew hotels, ground transport service providers, business travel rates, meeting and event hotels, and crew training hotels. The incumbent will collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure strategic leadership focused on delivering value, efficiency, savings, governance, and spend control.

As part of their duties, they will conduct procurement market research, establish supplier selection strategies, lead a competitive tender process by directing a request for proposal, information, and quotation process, select suppliers, negotiate contracts, and ensure their ongoing execution. They will also manage and secure contracts for projects involving third-party suppliers to support the Global Travel file or members of the Crew Operations team.

Here are the details of the main responsibilities:

• Establish category-specific procurement strategies:
  • Acquire and maintain an understanding of hospitality industry trends and procurement markets in several regions worldwide to strengthen Air Canada's bargaining power.
  • Keep abreast of company strategic priorities and initiatives by working closely with departments.
  • Analyze and monitor category spending and expiring contracts to discover potential opportunities for consolidation and supplier selection.
  • Select crew hotels for Air Canada Jetz sports charter services and for Jazz, an Air Canada Express partner, and conclude contracts with these hotels.
  • Mobilize the Centre of Excellence team to conduct research and analysis.
• Lead and manage procurement activities for the Crew Accommodation and Transport team:
  • Manage relationships among various stakeholder groups to assist in the selection process for crew accommodation and ground transport in order to meet Air Canada's workforce standards, as well as ensure the quality and cost-effectiveness of accommodation.
  • As needed, participate in property and hotel site visits worldwide with Union representatives and the Crew Accommodation operations team to evaluate accommodation and transport options for layovers.
  • Ensure that hotel quality issues and crew member feedback are resolved quickly and efficiently.
  • Foster an effective working relationship with all stakeholders, notably representatives of the various hotel chains we do business with.
  • Work with cross-functional teams to determine business requirements.
  • Prepare and distribute requests for proposals, evaluate responses, prepare site inspection kits, and conduct negotiations with various suppliers.
  • Lead contract negotiations and oversee the drafting and signing of contracts, including the management of these suppliers.
  • Collaborate with subject matter experts within the Company, notably the Crew Accommodation team, to obtain their agreement on the selection process.
  • Regularly conduct business activity evaluations in collaboration with Air Canada's Crew Accommodation team, our union groups, and any other third-party supplier assigned to manage daily operations or operational irregularities affecting crew members, to ensure compliance with standards and the resolution of all pending issues.

Qualifications

• University degree in a relevant field of study (commerce, supply chain, engineering, hospitality).
• Excellent communication (oral and written), analytical, negotiation, and project management skills.
• Ability to influence without formal authority.
• Strong entrepreneurial spirit, desire for innovation, intellectual curiosity, and creative mind.
• Excellent organizational skills and solid work ethic.
• Ability to multitask, work under pressure, and adapt to changing priorities.
• Acute sense of professionalism and discretion, essential.
• Flexibility regarding work schedule and availability for travel.
• Experience in accommodation management or crew resources, an asset.
• Acquired (or in-progress) professional designation from PMAC, ISM, or another procurement title, an asset.
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, with expertise in PowerPoint and Excel.
• Work experience related to collective agreements, an asset.
• Proven punctuality and reliability to promote the overall success of the team in a fast-paced environment.

Conditions of Employment:

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 things being equal, preference will be given to bilingual candidates.

Diversity and Inclusion

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

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

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