Contract Specialist

City of Edmonton • Edmonton, AB

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Come join the City of Edmonton's Corporate Contract Management team and apply your subject matter expertise in overseeing and managing corporate contracts. As the Contract Specialist, you will exercise the highest level of judgment, diplomacy and confidentiality with respect to contract and supplier management processes. In this role, you will be responsible for managing the City’s corporate contracts after their execution and administering the appropriate change mechanisms.

Requirements

• Completion of a University Degree in a related discipline such as public administration, public policy, supply chain, business, or project management and 4 years relevant full-time work experience, including at least three (3) years experience in a corporate centralized supply chain environment performing end to end contract management responsibilities, OR
• Completion of a two-year post-secondary diploma OR associate degree in a related discipline such as public administration, public policy, supply chain management, business, or project management and 6 years relevant full-time work experience, including a minimum of three (3) years experience in a corporate centralized supply chain environment performing end to end contract management responsibilities
• Demonstrated strong analytical, critical thinking, decision-making and problem-solving skills are required
• Excellent listening, verbal and written communication skills with the ability to lead/facilitate meetings with business areas and suppliers is required
• Excellent/detailed knowledge and understanding of contract management best practices, policies, procedures, tender/contract law, trade agreements and various procurement strategies/approaches
• Excellent working knowledge of contract management and administration
• Strong ability to develop and maintain effective and professional working relationships with colleagues, business areas and suppliers. Displays confidence in interactions with business areas and suppliers

Nice To Haves

• Two years experience in public sector contract management and public sector supplier performance management is very desirable
• A Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) certification or CPP (Certified Procurement Professional) from the Universal Public Procurement Certification Council (UPPCC), Supply Chain Management Professional designation (SCMP) or equivalent would be an asset
• Demonstrated leadership
• Experience or coursework on Canadian Procurement Law or Contract Law is very desirable
• Knowledge of change management is an asset
• Familiarity with SAP ECC, SAP Ariba, S4Hana, and Google Suite applications is an asset

Responsibilities

• Oversee and monitor corporate contract performance and perform amendments, changes and other required administration activities, including execution of contracts and amendments, extensions, options or renewals to maintain or increase best value to the City
• Improve the capacity and effectiveness of Department Contract Specialists in fulfilling their contract management duties through targeted upskilling initiatives, comprehensive training, and regular guidance and support.
• Conduct comprehensive research and analysis of market conditions or third-party indexes to validate proposed rate adjustments, engage in negotiations to maintain or modify proposed changes or amendments, and ensure that all modifications align with the terms of the contract
• Coordinate preparation and final negotiation of contract changes or amendments that may include price redetermination, or other aspects of the contract affecting the life of the contract
• Monitoring and evaluating supplier performance throughout the lifecycle of the contract is critical to ensure that contractual obligations are met and business needs are satisfied.
• Work with the section's leadership team to develop business area guidelines and practices that align with and support the Corporate policies, administrative directives and procedures
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and Corporate administrative policies and procedures requirements to protect the City from any risks
• Help team members and colleagues in the business area understand and communicate contract requirements, risks, and terms and conditions effectively by providing mentoring and coaching, in order to comply with statutory and administrative directives and make informed decisions
• Work proactively with business areas, and other leaders to establish and maintain stakeholder and supplier relationships to identify and minimize risk, and maximize the value of the contract, particularly for high-risk and complex contracts
• Collaborate with a legal team consisting and ensure that the terms of contractual agreements are legally binding and in accordance with the needs of the business area
• Assist Department or a Business area to make sure the contractual terms are fulfilled or to provide advice on how to terminate contracts on mutually amicable terms
• Clearly be able to explain contract terminology and obligations to business area
• Self-monitor progress according to the schedule of completion to submit amendments and recommendations in a timely manner
• Conduct a thorough review of contract documents, memo briefings, including proofreading, editing, and fact-checking, to ensure that they are accurate, consistent, and compliant with contractual requirements
• Proactively identify and manage contract risks to mitigate them in advance to successfully meet organizational obligations and achieve the planned outcomes of the contract, and actively participate in meetings to anticipate demand, evaluate business requirements and identify optimization opportunities
• Provide strategic advice to the procurement teams, business areas with supplier performance issues and lead the facilitated resolution with both supplier performance and contractual matters
• Lead the surveying of the business area, prepare procurement scope for corporate contracts and negotiate corporate contract renewals, on behalf of the City, using past performance information to prepare negotiation strategies.
• Deliver expert guidance and recommendations, including reports and supporting documentation, to the relevant Delegated Authority and Department Contract Specialist for contract renewals or extensions within a designated scope, and facilitate signatures on contract changes or amendments between the City and its suppliers.
• Create/generate ad hoc reports for expiring agreements, spend analysis, supplier performance and activities
• Perform other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Alignment to our Cultural Commitments and Leadership Competencies (https://bit.ly/4brRrXm)
• Embracing a culture of equity, diversity, reconciliation and inclusion
• Learn more about our benefits https://bit.ly/COEbenefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level