Category Manager - Job Opportunity at University of British Columbia

Vancouver, Canada
Full-time
Senior
Posted: February 7, 2025
On-site
CAD 108,584 - 169,370 per year

Benefits

Competitive pension plan typical of Canadian higher education sector
Comprehensive health and dental benefits
Professional development opportunities
Access to university facilities and resources
Work-life balance initiatives

Key Responsibilities

Lead strategic category management and sourcing initiatives with estimated annual spend impact of $100M+
Develop and execute comprehensive category strategies aligned with university procurement goals
Drive supplier relationship management and performance optimization
Lead cross-functional teams in complex procurement projects
Implement cost-saving and value-creation initiatives

Requirements

Education

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline

Experience

Minimum of eight years of related experience

Required Skills

Strategic sourcing expertise Category management Negotiation skills Stakeholder management Analytics and reporting Project management Leadership Communication Problem-solving

Certifications

Supply Chain Professional designation preferred Project management certification preferred
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Higher education institutions are increasingly focusing on strategic procurement to optimize spending and enhance value delivery Digital transformation in procurement is driving demand for technology-savvy category managers Sustainability and ESG considerations are becoming critical factors in educational procurement strategies

Salary Evaluation

The offered salary range is competitive for the Vancouver market and aligns with senior procurement roles in higher education. The range allows for experience-based differentiation and performance growth.

Role Significance

Likely leads 3-5 direct reports with matrix management of 10-15 stakeholders across procurement projects
Senior position with strategic influence on university operations and spending optimization

Key Projects

Strategic sourcing initiatives with $1M+ annual impact Supplier relationship management program development E-procurement system optimization Category strategy development and implementation

Success Factors

Strong understanding of public sector procurement regulations and compliance requirements Ability to influence and align diverse stakeholder groups Experience in developing and implementing category strategies in complex organizations Track record of delivering measurable cost savings and value improvements

Market Demand

High demand due to increasing focus on strategic procurement in educational institutions and limited supply of experienced category managers with public sector experience

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Category Management Expertise: Essential for developing and executing effective procurement strategies Stakeholder Management: Critical in complex university environment with diverse interests Strategic Analysis: Required for market assessment and opportunity identification

Beneficial Skills

Change Management: Valuable for implementing new procurement initiatives Technology Proficiency: Important for leveraging e-procurement systems Sustainability Knowledge: Growing importance in educational procurement

Unique Aspects

Opportunity to influence sustainable procurement practices in higher education
Complex stakeholder environment combining academic and administrative priorities
Balance of strategic and operational responsibilities in an educational setting

Career Growth

Typical progression to director level within 3-5 years with demonstrated success in category strategy implementation

Potential Next Roles

Director of Procurement Head of Supply Chain Chief Procurement Officer

Company Overview

University of British Columbia

UBC is one of Canada's top research universities with a global reputation for excellence in research and teaching

Leading public research institution with significant procurement spend and complex supplier relationships
Major employer in Vancouver with substantial economic impact in British Columbia
Collaborative academic environment with emphasis on innovation, sustainability, and inclusive decision-making
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