Department Purchasing and Contracts​​ Advisor, Utilities

Bring your contracting and procurement expertise to a role where your advice makes a difference! As the Department Purchasing and Contracts Advisor for Utilities, you’ll play a key role in ensuring purchasing and contracting practices are effective, compliant and aligned with corporate standards. Reporting to the Manager, Utilities Finance and Accounting, you’ll provide trusted advice and guidance to employees, identify opportunities to improve processes and manage risk, and work closely with Legislative, Legal and Procurement Services on complex contracting matters. This is an opportunity to bring your expertise to a role where thoughtful advice, sound judgment and continuous improvement make a meaningful impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, advice and guidance to department staff on corporate contract management, procurement practices, policies and procedures
• Support the implementation of the County’s Corporate Contracting program, ensuring department processes align with corporate directives, standards and best practices
• Review and assess contracts to ensure they meet the County’s business needs, protect the County’s interests, comply with applicable legislation, and clearly outline the obligations of all parties
• Draft and coordinate contract-related documentation, including amendments, extensions, assignments, terminations and other correspondence, in collaboration with the department Subject Matter Expert (SME), Corporate Contracting branch and Legislative Services
• Monitor contract performance, obligations, expiry dates, values and purchase order balances, identifying risks, opportunities and areas requiring follow-up
• Conduct audits and maintain oversight of contract and procurement records to ensure documentation is complete, accurate, appropriately authorized and maintained throughout the contract lifecycle
• Facilitate non-competitive procurement processes and department Request for Quote (RFQ) processes, including preparing procurement documentation, soliciting suppliers, evaluating responses and coordinating contract execution
• Collaborate with Procurement Services to ensure department purchasing activities are fair, transparent and compliant, while identifying opportunities to leverage corporate contracts, group purchasing arrangements and aggregate spending
• Build and maintain positive supplier relationships, including coordinating contract changes and execution and addressing contractual obligations, issues and inquiries
• Identify opportunities to improve contract and procurement processes, develop department-specific procedures and tools, and support the implementation of electronic signatures and other process efficiencies
• Monitor compliance with corporate contracting requirements, identify actual or potential non-compliance, and provide recommendations to department leadership and Corporate Contracting
• Collaborate with Legislative Services and the Contract Management Branch to assess contract questions, issues, claims and disputes, and contribute to continuous improvement of corporate contracting practices

Qualifications and Skills

• Related Post secondary Diploma or Degree (eg: Paralegal Studies, Supply Chain, Business, Project or Contract Management, Procurement, Public Administration/Policy, Law, etc.) with 3-5 years experience directly relevant in a corporate contracting or supply chain environment performing contract management responsibilities (public or private)
• Experience or coursework in Canadian Contract Law is considered an asset  
• Strong understanding of contract management and the legal context of contracts (public sector environment) with experience in supplier performance management, project management and change management considered an asset
• Experience with preparing and delivering training is an asset  
• Ability to work with technology that supports contract management and familiarity with Oracle, Adobe Sign, and Microsoft products such as SharePoint is an asset
• Excellent listening, verbal and written communication skills with the ability to mediate, lead and facilitate meetings with business areas and suppliers  
• Excellent organization, time management skills and a strong attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to rapidly changing situations and conflicting priorities while maintaining a high degree of professionalism, diplomacy and tact  
• Highly independent and resourceful with the ability to take initiative  
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, decision-making and problem-solving skills
• Ability to build effective working relationships and collaborate with employees across diverse roles, functions and levels of the organization

Who We Are

Strathcona County is a specialized municipality located in the heart of Alberta.  Our vision is to become Canada’s most livable community, where our workplace culture and identity are supported by our people plan and values of integrity, respect, safety, collaboration, and accountability.  

Why Join Strathcona County: (depending on position)

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, which includes:
  • Extended health and dental coverage    
  • Health and wellness spending account    
  • Life and disability insurance
  • Retirement and pension programs  
  • Earned day off program
  • Employee and family assistance program
• Commitment to employee development, through internal and external training and development opportunities
• Well-being programs and a safety culture focused on physical and psychological health in the workplace

Equivalencies of education and experience may be considered.  

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies for similar positions within the next 6 months.  

Strathcona County is committed to an inclusive, respectful, and equitable workplace that represents the community we serve. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds who can contribute diverse perspectives and experiences.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.