Strategic Sourcing and Procurement Manager

Toronto, ON, Canada

Full Time

Procurement

Manager/Supervisor

Who we are

At Yorkville University and Toronto Film School, we believe education is more than the pursuit of knowledge – it is a catalyst for transformation. Our mission, grounded in democratizing education, is to create access for learners from every background and empower them to achieve their aspirations and advance their careers.

We are committed to delivering rigorous, flexible programs that are both personally fulfilling and professionally rewarding, while contributing to the betterment of society. Since 2004, Yorkville has been among Canada’s few private, for-profit, fully accredited degree-granting universities, with campuses in Ontario, British Columbia, and New Brunswick. Together with Toronto Film School, we offer creative and academic pathways at both the college and university levels, cultivating a multidisciplinary environment where innovation and the arts converge.

Our community is vibrant and diverse. Many of our learners are adults balancing education with careers and personal commitments. Every member of our team – whether in teaching, operations, or technology – is dedicated to removing barriers and expanding access. Together, we deliver flexible, industry-informed learning that leads to meaningful opportunities.

At our core is human connection – guiding people to reimagine their futures in a community defined by opportunity, creativity, and growth.

Who we need

Reporting to the Director, Procurement, we are hiring a Strategic Sourcing and Procurement Manager to support Yorkville University’s procurement strategy through proactive supplier sourcing, contract negotiations, and market research. As the new Strategic Sourcing and Procurement Manager, you will identify and evaluate new vendors, lead negotiations for both new contracts and renewals, and analyze market trends to ensure Yorkville secures optimal value, quality, and service. You will build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners, ensuring that all sourcing activities align with institutional goals, policies, and sustainability standards.

This is a full-time role, currently following a hybrid model working both on-site at our downtown Toronto office and remotely.

This job posting is for existing vacancy.

What’s in it for you

Impact and influence. You will play a central role in shaping Yorkville University’s evolving procurement function, helping to build processes, strengthen supplier relationships, and introduce new ways of working that add measurable value across the organization. You will be part of a team that is driving meaningful change and has strong support from leadership and stakeholders eager to collaborate and see results.

Breadth and variety. You will gain exposure to a wide range of categories and business functions. As part of a small three person team, you will have the opportunity to work across every area of the university, supporting diverse sourcing needs, from technology and facilities to academic and administrative services.

Career growth and purpose. Whether you come from a larger organization, public sector environment, or a different industry altogether, this role offers the opportunity to apply your procurement expertise in a higher education context. You will have the chance to build, influence, and see the direct results of your work within a collaborative, mission-driven environment. Yorkville University invests in your growth, offering free tuition after one year, right up to our master’s programs and giving you the opportunity to continue learning while building a meaningful career in strategic sourcing and procurement.

As our new Strategic Sourcing and Procurement Manager, you will:

Lead. You will manage the end-to-end sourcing process — from identifying business needs to leading competitive solicitations such as RFPs, RFQs, and RFSQs. You will oversee vendor outreach, evaluation, and selection, ensuring that sourcing activities deliver optimal value, quality, and service while aligning with institutional priorities and procurement policies.
Negotiate. You will lead contract negotiations for new suppliers and renewals, ensuring that agreements are fair, transparent, and risk-mitigated. You will develop clear scopes of work (SOW’s), performance standards, and pricing structures that support long-term partnerships and institutional sustainability goals.
Research. You will conduct market sounding, supplier benchmarking, and spend analysis to identify new sourcing opportunities and emerging trends. You will maintain a strong understanding of vendor landscapes to proactively recommend solutions that enhance service delivery and cost efficiency.
Collaborate. You will work closely with stakeholders across academic and administrative functions to understand requirements, provide sourcing guidance, and communicate outcomes. You will act as a trusted advisor — translating business needs into sourcing strategies and ensuring transparency and alignment throughout each stage of the process.
Implement. You will support the rollout of new procurement tools and systems, including the supply chain module within the university’s ERP platform and contract lifecycle management tools. You will contribute to developing templates, procedures, and best practices that improve efficiency and consistency across the procurement function.
Build. You will help strengthen Yorkville University’s procurement framework by cultivating strong supplier relationships, supporting supplier diversity and sustainability initiatives, and driving continuous improvement within a growing, highly engaged team.

You have:

The experience. You bring experience in procurement and strategic sourcing within a complex organization. You have hands-on experience developing and managing competitive solicitations, including RFPs, RFQs, and RFSQs, from initial requirements gathering through evaluation and award. You understand the full sourcing cycle and thrive in environments where strategy, structure, and collaboration intersect.
The background. You hold a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance, or a related field. A professional certification such as SCMP, CPSM, or equivalent is an asset. Experience in the public sector, higher education, or regulated environments is valued, but what matters most is your ability to bring best practices and fresh perspective to a growing procurement function.
The analytical and negotiation skills. You combine strong analytical thinking with confident negotiation and relationship management. You can evaluate bids, analyze spend data, and assess vendor performance to inform decisions. You negotiate with professionalism and integrity, balancing cost efficiency, quality, and risk.
The communication and collaboration. You build trust and credibility with stakeholders across all levels of the organization. You communicate clearly and diplomatically, translating procurement language into actionable insights. You enjoy working closely with others and guiding teams through processes that may be new to them.
The organization and ownership. You are proactive, organized, and detail-oriented, able to manage multiple sourcing projects simultaneously while maintaining accuracy and compliance. You take initiative, follow through on commitments, and bring a continuous improvement mindset to
every process.
The technical ability. You are proficient with procurement and data analysis tools, and you are comfortable using Microsoft Office applications. Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 or other ERP systems is an asset, as is familiarity with implementing new procurement technologies and tools.

Why work at Yorkville University?

At Yorkville University and Toronto Film School, we are united by a shared purpose: placing the student experience at the heart of everything we do. Whether you are teaching, designing curriculum, advising students, advancing technology, or supporting operations, your work directly fuels learning potential, strengthens inclusive communities, and fosters purposeful curiosity.

Here, professional growth is part of our culture. In your role, you will have opportunities to help the launch of career-relevant programs, expand your expertise, and access tuition-free courses across our institutions - from certificates to master’s degrees. Curiosity, initiative, and innovation are encouraged, and your ideas can move from vision to reality.

Our scale offers the best of both worlds: the reach and stability of a national institution combined with the agility of a mid-sized organization, where contributions are visible and valued. You will be part of a diverse and inclusive community where authenticity is celebrated, collaboration is expected, and impact is shared - on students, colleagues, and your own professional journey.

At Yorkville and Toronto Film School, your work does more than make a difference. It empowers others to achieve their possible, while giving you the opportunity to realize yours.

Compensation philosophy

At Yorkville University and Toronto Film School, we believe compensation should be fair, straightforward, and supportive of your growth. Our salary ranges reflect progression from learning in the role to excelling, with each offer based on skills, experience, and role complexity.

This position offers a minimum annual salary of $110,000, a midpoint of $120,000, and a maximum of $130,000. Established hires typically start near the midpoint, while the upper range is reserved for those with deep expertise and sustained contributions. Offers below the midpoint recognize strong potential with room to grow.

We strive for equitable, consistent pay, though rates may vary within the same role based on performance, specialized knowledge, and impact.

Base salary is one part of a broader package that includes paid time away, retirement savings matching, and extended health coverage with 80% of premiums paid. After 12 months of full-time employment, there is also tuition-free access to all our education programs.

We welcome conversations about compensation throughout the hiring process.

Join us

We welcome and appreciate candidates with a range of backgrounds and experiences. If you have 70% of the qualifications we seek, express your interest.

What you can expect from our hiring process:

A virtual interview with a Talent Advisor discussing your interest in the role and the company. The conversation will be recorded using BrightHire, an AI-powered video interview tool. More details will be shared when you are invited to interview.
An in-person interview with the Director of Procurement and the VP Finance. This is an opportunity to share more about your experience and learn about the strategic priorities of the team and department.
A virtual meeting with key internal stakeholders, where you will gain deeper insight into how the procurement function partners across the university to support business needs
An in-person conversation with the members of the Senior Leadership Team to explore Yorkville’s culture, values, and leadership approach, and to answer any remaining questions you may have about the role or organization.

Diversity, equity and inclusion are a critical component of life at Yorkville University and Toronto Film School and we are committed to making these values an integral part of our culture. We encourage applications from all qualified applicants, including women, persons with disabilities, Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC), people from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Transsexual, Queer, Questioning, Two-Spirit, Intersex, Asexual + (LGBTQ2SIA+) community and other equity-seeking groups.

Yorkville University is committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act ('AODA'). If you require accommodation for disability, please notify Human Resources at 1-877-429-4029.

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We want anyone, anywhere to have the same chance and opportunity to build a life they love and that they are proud of. We are proactive in creating a belonging environment that anyone can be a part of. Thoughtful, data-driven decision-making is core to this success. We ask these questions to strengthen our practices by using data to identify and mitigate unconscious bias in our hiring process.

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