Description
The York Region District School Board (YRDSB) supports a flexible working culture and currently provides the opportunity for employees to work from home in addition to working in the office for some positions. The YRDSB implemented Working From Home Guidelines to facilitate this work option. Please note, this does not apply for school based positions.
In compliance with Board policies and procedures responsible for efficiently and effectively maximizing value of the Board’s financial resources and minimizing the Board’s exposure to risk by means of delivering a professional centralized purchasing service. The Senior Buyer will be responsible for the procurement of goods and services that are high profile in the areas of: complexity, impact, volume, and dollar value.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
To maintain a high level of customer service to internal clients by responding to all procurement related inquiries.
To develop and manage relationships with external partners such as consultants, parent councils, legal counsel other public agencies.
To provide leadership and supervision to staff by way of training, mentoring, team building and coaching.
To participate and provide leadership in committees that are commodity, system (Board) and special project related.
To perform sourcing of goods and services and prospective vendors through market research, industry analysis and traditional procurement practices.
To foster vendor excellence through formal pre-qualification, ongoing performance monitoring and leading annual review sessions.
To research and develop innovative methods and processes to improve traditional procurement practices.
To create and develop bid documents which would include Scope of Work, Specifications, Evaluation Criteria and associated Terms and Conditions.
To determine Method of Purchase such as request for: quote, tender, proposal, information, prequalification and expressions of Interest for purchases in accordance with bid thresholds.
To arrange, coordinate and chair (if necessary) Vendor Pre-bid meetings, site visits, vendor information sessions and debrief meetings as required.
To arrange, coordinate, facilitate and chair (if necessary) the evaluation and analysis of bid submissions considering total Cost and Optimum Value for the purposes of award with other key stakeholders.
To lead, attend and participate in internal meetings and committees as required.
To plan, develop strategies and lead the negotiation of contracts within commodity portfolios, with a focus on mitigating risk, optimizing value, and total cost of ownership.
To mitigate the Board’s exposure to risk through the use of risk management techniques including; Service Level Agreements, implementing Surety Bonding, reviewing complex contractual agreements, seeking legal counsel where necessary and through various other means.
To award bids within commodity related thresholds, develop and maintain catalogues and price lists to schools, review and process requisitions for the acquisition of goods and services.
To perform effective contract management through scheduled meetings with vendors, analyzing vendor performance reports, monitoring pricing, quality assessment and compliance to contract terms and conditions.
To develop and maintain positive vendor relations and vendor management through regular meetings, vendor visits, vendor workshops and effective communication.
To compose weekly reports to the Manage and to Senior Management as required.
To initiate, develop and promote cooperative purchasing initiatives with other public agencies.
To assist in the removal and disposal of surplus equipment and supplies.
To perform other duties as may be assigned.
LINE OF RESPONSIBILITY:
Responsible to the Manager of Purchasing Services
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:
A three year university degree or college diploma in business administration or a related discipline or equivalent, as approved by the Board.
A professional designation in Purchasing, such as a CPPO, CPPB, or SCMP is required.
Minimum five years of purchasing or related experience in a public sector environment is required.
Effective verbal and written communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills are required.
Ability to deal effectively with a variety of individuals and groups both within and outside the Board is required.
Computer skills such as, Microsoft Office and Internet research skills are required.
Must possess a valid Ontario Driver’s License and have access to own transportation.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
The York Region District School Board (YRDSB) believes in giving each and every applicant an equal opportunity to succeed on their own merit and we strive to hire staff that reflect and support the diverse perspectives, experiences and needs of students and communities. We remain committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion in our living, learning and work environments. We know that diversity underpins excellence, and that we all share responsibility for creating an equitable, diverse and inclusive Board-community.
Therefore, in pursuit of the Board’s values, we seek members who will work respectfully and constructively with differences and across the organizational hierarchy in actualizing the Board’s priorities, goals and principles outlined in the Director’s Action Plan. Candidates who have strong racial literacy practices and a commitment to dismantling anti-racism, anti-oppression, and creating identity-affirming spaces, in order to intentionally disrupt racist and hateful acts.
We actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to sovereignty, equity, including, but not limited to:
First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, and all other Indigenous peoples;
African, Black and Black Caribbean peoples (in alignment with Anti-Black Racism Strategy);
South Asian, East Asian, Southeast Asian, Middle East/West Asian, Latino/Hispanic (in alignment with YRDSB Workforce Census to address disproportionalities identified).
members of groups that commonly experience discrimination due to race, ancestry, colour, religion and/or spiritual beliefs, or place of origin;
persons with visible and/or invisible (physical and/or mental) disabilities;
persons who identify as women; and
persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions.
At YRDSB, we recognize that many of these identities intersect and therefore, equity, diversity and inclusion can be complex. We value and respect the contributions that each person brings to enriching the Board and are committed to ensuring full and equal participation for all in the communities that we serve.
Accessibility and Accommodation Statement
We also recognize the duty to accommodate and foster a culture of inclusion. Consistent with the principles of dignity, individualization and inclusion, we will make any appropriate accommodation based on any of the protected grounds in the Human Rights Code to support candidate participation in the hiring process. When contacted, candidates will be provided with an overview of the various elements of the hiring process, such as skills assessments, written practicum, presentation, interview, etc. If an accommodation is required, requests can be made in advance of any stage of the recruitment process. All information received relating to a candidate’s required accommodation will be addressed confidentially by the Recruitment and Retention Team. Please make this request to careers@yrdsb.ca or a member of the Recruitment Team. If this position is a school based LTO/Contract Teaching position, please email the Principal directly to request the accommodation to be made at the school in collaboration with Human Resource Services, Disability Management Team.
Important Note for YRDSB Employees: If you have a current accommodation in place through Disability Management, please inform your Disability Management Case Manager to ensure that your accommodation needs can be met in the new role that you are pursuing. If invited to participate in the hiring process, and you are unable to perform the essential/bona fide requirements (e.g. physical, cognitive requirements), please notify the Recruitment Team by emailing careers@yrdsb.ca to review next steps (in the email please reference the job title you are applying to).
Important Information for CUPE 1734 Members:
LA.11.7 Those twelve (12) month employees filling vacancies as a result of their applying to a job posting are to remain twelve (12) months at their position. Ten (10) month employees are to remain in their position until the end of the school year. This requirement can be waived with permission from the Superintendent responsible for Human Resource Services. This does not prevent employees from applying for a position or from applying for a promotion during the twelve (12) month period.
On-line applications are collected centrally at the Education Centre - Aurora and are monitored by Human Resource Services. All applications will be screened based on the required education, experience and qualifications as noted in the posting and job description and as reflected in the application. Only those candidates meeting these criteria will be eligible to participate in the selection process and only qualified candidates will be contacted.
The personnel file of all internal applicants will be reviewed as part of the selection process.
