Procurement Advisor

Description of the Position

Within the Finance Department, the Procurement Support Division assists university units in fulfilling their procurement projects for goods and services in various fields such as research, technology, construction, and education.

The Procurement Advisor plays an expert-advisory role to the client base. The person holding the position contributes to meeting the client's needs by promoting efficient and legally compliant procurement practices. They analyze needs, recommend appropriate procurement strategies, and guide clients through the procurement process, including tendering, offer analysis, negotiation, and contract management, while ensuring compliance with the regulatory framework.

More specifically, the person holding the position will be responsible for

Advising, analyzing needs, and developing procurement strategies

• Advising and supporting the client base in defining and analyzing their needs. Formulating recommendations based on financial, commercial, and regulatory analyses;
• Developing, recommending, and implementing procurement strategies to optimize processes and ensure legal compliance;
• Extracting and analyzing data to advise requesters on their acquisition strategies. Ensuring the tracking and accuracy of this data in accordance with performance indicators.

Planning tenders and managing contractual relationships

• Drafting, guiding, and routing purchase requests and contractual agreements, ensuring compliance with and application of laws, policies, regulations, standards, and procedures; conducting necessary follow-ups;
• Planning, coordinating, and supervising tendering processes under their responsibility. Preparing, developing, and drafting bids, specifications, and contract management documents, assisting the client base in determining appropriate evaluation criteria and selection methods;
• Verifying and analyzing the admissibility and compliance of received offers according to established requirements and the regulatory framework;
• Serving on selection committees as a tender selection committee secretary and other procurement-related elements;
• Recommending and concluding framework agreements and contracts, ensuring their execution and following up on the required financial reports as per the legislative framework. Informing and advising the management on the issues in their area of specialization.

Negotiating and managing relationships with suppliers

• Negotiating prices, transportation and customs clearance modalities, delivery deadlines, insurance rates, cancellations, substitutions, and returns of goods;
• Handling complaints from users and suppliers, intervening in disputes related to the negotiation and conclusion of acquisition contracts while maintaining good relations between the University and internal and external resources.
• Improving practices, ensuring compliance, and managing information
• Evaluating the impacts of new laws, regulations, and directives on procurement activities, issuing opinions, and proposing adjustments to institutional policies, procedures, and practices;
• Reviewing, developing, and improving purchase processes, procurement policies, and information systems;
• Collecting, producing, and preserving documents related to acquisitions; updating files and databases;
• Conducting information surveillance related to their field of activities, identifying interesting news, and disseminating relevant information to concerned parties;
• Temporarily performing tasks of a related or lower-level position when required.

Desired Profile

• Hold a bachelor's degree in an appropriate discipline and a minimum of four (4) years of relevant experience, particularly in procurement and contract management within a professional position, at a large public organization. A master's degree will be considered an asset.
• Be familiar with the Public Contracts Act (PCA);
• Have analytical and synthesis skills and be able to clearly communicate complex information, both orally and in writing;
• Be able to play an advisory role and support the client base in defining their needs and the various stages of the procurement process, formulating appropriate recommendations;
• Possess influence and negotiation skills to interact with stakeholders and suppliers;
• Be able to balance the client's needs with a rigorous application of the regulatory framework to propose appropriate procurement strategies;
• Proficiency in Office 365 applications: Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, Loop, etc.;
• Good knowledge of English, both orally and in writing, to communicate with suppliers.
• Functional Description
• Procurement Advisor
• Normal Requirements

Subject to the assessment of skills, any combination of education and experience deemed equivalent and relevant may be considered.

Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in an appropriate discipline and four (4) years of relevant experience.

Employment Conditions

• Competitive salary determined in accordance with salary scales, based on recognized relevant experience and education.
• Very competitive pension plan, including employer contributions of approximately 8.5% and employee contributions of 7.8%
• Comprehensive group health, sickness (short and long-term), life, medication, and travel insurance
• 23 days of vacation annually, in addition to December 24 to January 2 inclusive holidays
• Lightened summer hours
• Flexible 35-hour workweek
• Work-life balance program
• Professional development-friendly work environment
• Study financing opportunities
• Campus and sports complex promoting healthy lifestyles
• Workplace recognized as the best employer in Canada 2026 by Forbes
• Work Environment

Located in the heart of Quebec City, Laval University stands out for its dynamism, innovation, and excellence in scientific research and higher education. As the first francophone university in North America, it has to date educated over 374,000 people. Recognized by Forbes as the best employer in Canada in 2026, Laval University is home to nearly 10,000 employees who work daily to fulfill its mission.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Committed to equity, diversity, and excellence, Laval University strongly offers its entire staff a work and living environment infused with an inclusive culture. For Laval University, diversity is a source of richness, and we encourage qualified individuals of all origins, genders, sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and people with disabilities to apply.

Laval University also subscribes to an employment equity program for women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, and people with disabilities. Please note that accommodation measures for selection tools may be offered to people with disabilities based on their needs, and this will be done in complete confidentiality. In accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, priority will be given to qualified individuals who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

Application

Interested employees must submit their application by clicking on the apply button and attach in a single file a cover letter and a recent curriculum vitae.

For additional information or if you wish to obtain accommodation measures, please contact Mariangela Olmos at 418-656-2131 ext. 413880 or ...

Work Location

Finance Department

Jean-Charles Bonenfant Pavilion

Quebec City

Job Number 17831