Category Leader - IT Procurement

Join our team and what we'll accomplish together

As a Category Leader within the TELUS IT Procurement team, you will influence the allocation of considerable resources. The opportunity to not only apply and hone your expertise but also drive new best practices is all yours. You'll oversee complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives while providing consultation to vice presidents across the technology space and broader organization, managing multi-million dollar partnerships with global brands. You'll also influence the next generation of practitioners as you collaborate with a team of expert Category Managers to develop and execute a robust category strategy through sound internal and external data intelligence and deep dives. This fast-paced role demands a strategic and transformative leader who can develop and implement innovative initiatives to drive profitability within our dynamic and evolving landscape. A new standard for global procurement industry leadership will be set by you.

We are audaciously obsessed with doing better for our customers every single day.

Here's how

• You'll be influencing the next generation of practitioners as you partner with and guide a team of expert Category Managers to develop and execute robust IT category strategies
• Driving innovative sourcing solutions that support profitable growth and an unsurpassed client experience
• Influencing key strategies through clear storytelling to make data and insights more impactful and actionable for senior leadership
• Demonstrating exceptional executive communication skills by effectively conveying complex IT procurement strategies and insights to stakeholders at all levels of the organization
• Adapting communication style to various audiences, from technical teams to C-suite executives, ensuring clarity and impact in all interactions
• Applying expert skills in data analytics, market research, sourcing, collaboration and contract management
• Spearheading major contract negotiations, strategic sourcing activities, cross-functional projects, risk and relationship management, and savings initiatives
• Optimizing our transformational delivery model to maximize impact for TELUS, including coaching and mentoring of team members
• Improving IT Procurement leveraging automation, robotic process automation (RPA), and generative AI (GenAI) to streamline procurement activities, improve data accuracy, and enhance risk management

What you bring

• IT Procurement category management experience (negotiating large complex projects with Tier 1 software, hardware and cloud suppliers)
• Proven experience in development, implementing, and delivering on a category strategy in the IT space.
• Expertise in contracting and understanding SaaS and Cloud provider specific requirements
• Experience with negotiating complex deals with IT Suppliers
• Exceptional executive communication skills, including the ability to articulate complex ideas with clarity and conciseness, effectively conveying complex IT procurement strategies and insights to stakeholders at all levels of the organization
• Strong business and financial acumen
• Solid understanding of negotiation theory, strategies and practices
• Regarded as an exceptional influencer and negotiator able to build and maintain effective partnerships internally and externally with all stakeholders
• Proven experience in leading supplier negotiations and structuring deals, including establishing contract terms and conditions (i.e. pricing, performance management and SLA development), drafting legal agreements, and implementing risk mitigation best practices
• Sought out for your ability to seek out, evaluate and translate facts, data and intelligence into key insights, concept and recommendations
• Project execution excellence
• With a Bachelor's degree in any domain

Great-to-haves

• A digital mindset, characterized by curiosity towards disruptive technologies and their application in procurement
• Excellent business and financial acumen
• Project Management experience

Location: Any major Canadian city

Advanced knowledge of English is required because you will most of the time as part of this position's main responsibilities given its international scope.