Senior Procurement & Contracts Specialist

About FNCIAS

First Nations Capital and Infrastructure Agency of Saskatchewan is a non-profit organization that exists exclusively to support Saskatchewan First Nation communities to plan, procure, own, and manage their infrastructure assets on their lands. Our vision is “Empowered, connected, and thriving First Nations built on sustainable infrastructure and healthy homes for present and future generations” and with that vision in mind we recognize the considerable importance of our most important resource, our employees.

Position Description

Title: Senior Procurement & Contracts Specialist

Reports To: Senior Procurement Manager

Location:  Saskatoon, SK

Position Type:  Permanent Full-time, In-office

Position Summary

The Senior Procurement and Contracts Specialist is the primary operational leader responsible for managing complex sourcing, contract management, and compliance activities for FNCIAS. Reporting to the Senior Manager of Procurement, this role ensures sourcing and contracting activities are strategically aligned, commercially sound, and fully compliant with FNCIAS policies and funding requirements.

The role combines strategic procurement leadership with strong contract administration and procurement compliance oversight. Responsibilities include end to end procure-to-pay and source-to-contract activities such as sourcing strategy development, supplier engagement, contract drafting and administration, and maintaining audit ready procurement documentation.

This role is expected to operate with a high level of independence while supporting the continued development of FNCIAS sourcing practices, contract management discipline, and supplier management capabilities. This role plays a key part in ensuring procurement decisions are transparent, defensible, and aligned with FNCIAS policy framework and funding requirements.

As FNCIAS’ procurement function continues to grow, this role will also provide mentorship and operational guidance to procurement team members.

Why This Role Matters

Procurement plays a critical role in ensuring FNCIAS delivers ethical and value driven outcomes for First Nations communities. Our activities ensure processes remain efficient, transparent, accountable, and compliant.

This role contributes directly to responsible stewardship of resources and supports infrastructure development that enables healthy homes, sustainable communities, and long-term economic opportunities for member First Nations.

Working Conditions

Permanent full-time position based in-office in Saskatoon SK.  Occasional regional travel will be required. 

Position Description

This is an overview of the role:

Strategic Procurement 

• Develop procurement strategies aligned with project requirements, timelines, and FNCIAS policies and procedures.
• Conduct market analysis and supplier engagement activities to support effective sourcing strategies and encourage participation from qualified suppliers, including Indigenous owned businesses.
• Provide commercial leadership across the organization including infrastructure, construction, professional services, and technology procurements.
• Lead complex competitive procurement processes and negotiated sourcing initiatives.
• Coordinate evaluation processes and ensure evaluation criteria, scoring methodologies, and documentation are transparent and defensible.
• Support supplier due diligence, onboarding, and ongoing management activities.

Contract and Commercial Management

• Draft, negotiate, and administer contracts, purchase orders, and service agreements. Manage contract change orders and contract closeout activities.
• Track contract milestones, deliverables, and performance obligations.
• Manage supplier performance and contract outcomes through structured monitoring and evaluation.
• Resolve commercial issues including supplier disputes, claims, and performance challenges.

Compliance and Oversight

• Provide sourcing and contracting guidance to FNCIAS staff involved in purchasing activities.
• Promote strong procurement governance and professional procurement practices within the organization and with member Nations.
• Ensure procurement activities comply with FNCIAS procurement policies and governance standards.
• Verify procurement approvals, evaluation processes, and documentation are properly completed.
• Conduct compliance reviews of procurement files.
• Maintain records demonstrating compliance with funding agreements and procurement requirements.
• Maintain complete, organized, and audit ready contract and sourcing documentation, including materials required for audits or funding reviews.
• Identify procurement risks and support development of mitigation strategies. Work with legal counsel and procurement leadership to address risks.
• Support continuous improvement of procurement tools, templates, and governance processes.

Stakeholder and Community Engagement

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and member Nations to understand procurement needs and support project delivery.
• Engage with suppliers including Indigenous owned businesses to support inclusive procurement practices.
• Support procurement capacity building initiatives with FNCIAS member Nations.
• Promote transparency and ethical procurement practices across FNCIAS operations.
• And other duties as assigned

Education and Experience 

• Successful candidates may come from a variety of backgrounds, however demonstrating a passion for improving housing and infrastructure outcomes on First Nations is essential.
• Post secondary education in Supply Chain Management is required. A Supply Chain Management Professional (SCMP) designation is considered an asset and preference will be given to candidates holding the designation or actively pursuing it.
• Minimum eight years of progressive experience in procurement, supply chain management, and contract management.
• Strong knowledge of Canadian procurement law, contract negotiation, and governance practices.
• Experience leading complex competitive procurement processes and managing contracts for infrastructure, construction, professional services, and technology projects.
• Experience working with First Nations organizations or Indigenous economic development initiatives is considered an asset.

Core Competencies for Success in this Role

Successful candidates will demonstrate strength in several key procurement competencies.

Procurement Governance and Compliance

Strong understanding of procurement policies, ethical procurement principles, audit readiness, and defensible procurement documentation.

Competitive Procurement and Strategic Sourcing

Experience designing and executing competitive procurement processes including RFQs and RFPs with transparent evaluation frameworks.

Contract and Commercial Management

Ability to negotiate and administer contracts, manage amendments and claims, and mitigate commercial risks.

Supplier and Relationship Management

Experience managing supplier relationships and supplier performance.

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration

Ability to work effectively with internal teams, leadership, suppliers, and communities.

Indigenous Procurement Awareness

Understanding of Indigenous participation in procurement and the importance of creating opportunities for Indigenous businesses and communities, and ability to drive meaningful results.

Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving

Strong ability to assess procurement challenges and develop practical solutions.

Systems and Tools

Experience working with procurement systems, ERP platforms, and procurement documentation systems.

Leadership, Integrity, and Professionalism

Commitment to ethical procurement practices and professional accountability.

FNCIAS Commitment

FNCIAS is committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Preference may be given to qualified Indigenous applicants, particularly those with experience supporting First Nations communities and economic development initiatives.

Selection Process

As part of the selection process, candidates may be asked to complete a short procurement scenario exercise designed to assess strategic sourcing, governance, and commercial decision making.