Procurement Consultant

The Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) believes in Our Communities, Our Environment and Our People. As a trusted partner to municipalities, First Nations communities, businesses, governments and institutions across Ontario, we provide our clients with total solutions in water and wastewater. We are dedicated to working closely with our clients to help them build healthy sustainable communities and organizations and provide safe and reliable drinking water to thousands of Ontarians each day.

OPS Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism:

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.

We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario’s Human Rights Code. Refer to the “How to apply” section if you require a disability-related accommodation.

What can I expect to do in this role?

In this role you will:
•Prepare and complete publicly posted procurement activities under tight time lines from beginning to end (prepare scope, prepare procurement documents, manage public posting, oversee evaluations, prepare contract award and conduct contract management). This includes a wide variety of goods and services, including construction, operational services, and capital goods.
•Self-manage a variety of procurement activities at the same time, including several concurrent publicly posted RFB’s, reviewing business cases, and other related activities.
•Prepare new procurement documents for new Vendor of Record arrangements for use within OCWA.
•Advise Operations Management on the interpretation and application of Ontario Public Service (OPS) procurement policies, procedures and guidelines.
•Provide advice throughout the competitive tendering process to OCWA staff to ensure Requests For Bids (RFB) comply with procurement rules and legal requirements to ensure that vendors have access to a fair and transparent procurement opportunity, within timelines, budget and deliverables; lead the development of RFB’s, invitational tenders, contracts, and sourcing plans/methods.
•Provide technical guidance and expertise in the form of explanations and briefings on procurement matters to assure compliance with procurement processes and through providing recommendations on approving business cases, RFB development, vendor selection, contract negotiations, business case review and corporate policy.
•Coordinate the resolution of disputes with vendors, and undertakes appropriate remedial action to address supplier non-compliance with contractual obligations and fair business practices.

How do I qualify?

Technical Knowledge and Skills:

•Technical knowledge of the OPS Procurement Directive, domestic and international trade commitments such as the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) among others, supply and asset management principles and practices, to provide expert advice and guidance in choice of vendors/contractors and in developing the appropriate RFB specifications.
•Knowledge of practices related to the establishment of effective agreements such as contract law and competitive bidding case law in order to advise on procurement related business risks stemming from the tendering process and the implications of the terms and conditions of contracts.
•Knowledge of common office software (including word processing, spreadsheet, database, virtual cloud servers, project management and presentation capabilities) to create analytical reporting on vendor usage, distribution of expenditure, buying trends, and tracking of work in progress.

Interpersonal, Communication and Analytical Skills:

•Demonstrated consultation and problem solving skills.
•Communication and persuasion skills to advise and inform management/buyers on procurement services, processes, policies and best practices, and to work with management/buyers to develop alternate solutions to technical processes.
•Advisory skills to provide information on procurement options and to maintain good working relationships with vendors to encourage delivery of services as agreed in contract arrangement; and to promote fair and transparent process for procurement of contracts/services.
•Demonstrated analytical skill to assess the agency’s procurement needs and priorities, evaluate multiple sources of required goods/services, and develop/recommend sourcing strategies.
•Exceptional organizational skills with demonstrated ability to prioritize well and meet strict deadlines.

Additional Knowledge and Skills:

•Knowledge of and skill in reviewing insurance certificates and collaboratively working to assign adequate insurance requirements for a project based on risk exposure.
•Knowledge of and skill in the procurement of commodities and/or water and wastewater specific treatment chemicals as a public entity.
•Knowledge of and skill with incorporating indexes and blended indexes into public contracts.

What’s in it for you?

• Flexible learning and development opportunities.
• Opportunities for career advancement and specialization with the largest provider of water and wastewater services in Ontario.
• Work with the partner of choice for more communities than any other water and wastewater service organization in Ontario for over 25 years.
• Work with an organization committed to innovation and advanced technology.
• A defined benefit pension plan; Comprehensive Health Plan; Life and Disability Insurance.
• Maternity and parental leave top-up benefits including for adoptive parents.

Ontario Clean Water Agency is an inclusive employer.
We will accommodate your needs under the Ontario Human Rights Code

The Ontario Clean Water Agency is an agency of the Province of Ontario, reporting to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. As the largest provider of water and wastewater services in Canada, we manage over 800 facilities from small well systems and lagoons to large water and wastewater treatment plants. Consider this opportunity if you are a motivated, team oriented individual seeking a career in the water and wastewater industry.

Note: Thank you for your interest, we will contact you only if you are selected for further screening or an interview.