Job Description

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About MRU

Founded in 1910 and located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mount Royal University grew into a vibrant college in the 1930s and became a mid-sized university in 2009. Mount Royal has carved out a distinct niche by offering smaller class sizes, a robust liberal education and unique undergraduate programs. Currently, more than 15,000 credit students choose from 13 bachelor degrees and 38 majors. Mount Royal University is located in the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of the Treaty 7 region in southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut'ina and the Iyarhe Nakoda. We are situated on land where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. The traditional Blackfoot name of this place is "Mohkinstsis," which we now call the city of Calgary. The city of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation. Mount Royal University is committed to removing barriers and fostering the inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented or discouraged in our society. In support of our belief that diversity in our faculty and staff enriches the work, learning and research experiences for the entire campus community, we strongly encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply and self-identify.

About Procurement Services

Procurement Services, a department within Finance and Commercial Operations, is responsible to manage, administer and coordinate supplier purchases and agreements relating to goods, services, furniture, equipment, capital construction and renovations for all university faculties, departments and research initiatives. Procurement Services ensures that procurement activity is conducted in a fair, equitable and transparent process to provide the best overall value to the University. It also ensures compliance with University policies, public sector legislative requirements, competitive bidding laws and trade agreements.

About the Role

Reporting to the Manager of Procurement Services, the Procurement Business Partner is MRU’s key position for managing competitive bidding for Capital Expansion, construction/renovation projects. The incumbent is entrusted to be knowledgeable about Canadian Bidding/Contract Law, Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), the New West Partnership Trade Agreement (NWPTA) and related legislative compliance issues; liaise to understand and proper represent stakeholder needs; lead and manage competitive bidding in a manner that protects MRU’s interests. The ultimate goal of these efforts is to create fair agreements with the vendor/contractor community and facilitate working arrangements that lead to the completion of major projects. Manages other types of competitive bidding processes, as assigned by the Manager. The Procurement Business Partner is expected to provide advice/training and to provide quality assurance for the Procurement Business Specialist’s competitive bid opportunities for construction and renovation projects and other types, as required. The incumbent will manage year-end and audit requests, and manages Purchasing related internet base systems including MERX/APC external websites, the multiple Pre-Qualified Programs, Preferred Vendor Program and the Vendor/Contractor Performance Evaluation Program.

Responsibilities

Competitive Bidding

• Acts as the senior Procurement Services Contact for the campus to support procurement processes for high value, high risk projects for MRU.
• Upon notification of a project, establishes the appropriate procurement methodology (ITT/RFP/RFQ/RFI/RFPQ), and coordinates the approach of the University to the marketplace.
• Works closely with Stakeholders to understand the complete details of procurement requirements (i.e. – Gathering of all specifications, scope) for their competitive bidding package.
• Works with Consultants, Engineers and Architects to ensure that documentation provided for the competitive process complies with Mount Royal’s procedures.
• Provides professional expertise in order to attain the goals of the project. This may include making recommendations that enhance the project, identifying opportunities for cost savings, or providing information about the marketplace and/or contractors.
• Leads the competitive bidding process from issuance of documents to execution of contract(s).
• Ensures all required statutory and regulatory conditions are being met on every competitive bidding process and is in compliance with competitive bidding law.
• Identifies and brings any extraordinary risks of competitive bidding processes and purchase contracts to the attention of the Manager of Procurement Services, Legal Services and any other Departments as applicable.
• Upon closing, prepares an Evaluation Package and issues a Compliance Report of all bids received including cost analysis.
• Issues post-clarification to clarify bids, as required.
• Attends and facilitates evaluation meetings with internal and external selection teams and works towards building a consensus.
• Works with departments to prepare award recommendations for submission to the Manager of Procurement Services.
• Works with Legal Services as necessary to negotiate commercial terms and conditions of contracts and to bring competitive opportunities into a contractual relationship that fulfills the goals of the project and protects the University’s interest.
• Ensures that all Contractors/Suppliers have appropriate insurance coverage and works with the Environmental Health & Safety Department to help ensure Contractors/Suppliers have a safety record that is acceptable within MRU’s standards before a contract award is issued.
• Maintains positive relationships with Contractors and Suppliers including providing information during debriefing sessions with unsuccessful Contractors/Suppliers.
• Ensures that all Contractors, Engineers and Consultants are following Mount Royal’s billing procedures.

Supports Procurement staff on all Competitive Opportunities

• Provides professional expertise at the outset of a project and develops the competitive bidding documents.
• Acts as a subject matter expert (SME) when questions are raised by the Procurement staff as they develop the competitive bidding documents.
• Responsible for quality assurance and as such reviews drafts of competitive bidding documents and provides recommendations and feedback.
• Provides a secondary review of final RFx packages and addendums issued by the Procurement Business Specialist.
• On an on-going basis, develops and improves templates for competitive bidding documents. Works to ensure these documents are updated only when material changes are required.

Provides training on Procurement Systems and Programs

• Acts as the SME for Procurement internet based systems including MERX and the Alberta Purchasing Connection (APC) websites, various Pre-Qualified Programs, and the Vendors/Contractors Performance Evaluation Program.
• Trains Procurement staff in the use of all purchasing systems/programs.
• Leads programs and provides support to Procurement staff and department users.
• Updates internet based system and resolve any issues, as required.

Acts as Key Resource for Year End Preparation and Audit Requests

• Acts as the key resource for Procurement and Receiving by coordinating all year end preparations.
• Runs all reports required and prepares the Contractual Obligations note disclosure for the financial statements.
• Works with the Manager of Procurement Services to notify the university community of all year-end deadlines related to procurement and receiving.
• Work with the Manager to notify the university community of all year-end deadlines related to procurement including Receiving.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Degree, undergraduate degree, diploma or Supply Chain Management Professional Designation (SCMP) or other similar public purchasing oriented designations would be appropriate (ex: NIGP).
• 8+ years of industry working experience.
• Previous experience in a Post-Secondary or Public Institution would be an asset. ERP/Banner experience would be an asset.
• Highly proficient in MS Office including contract management software (CMS) would be an asset. Able to communicate, understand, express and apply technical, business or administrative concepts. Superior organizational and time-management skills; ability to meet deadlines.
• Superior decision and problem-solving ability.
• Proven ability to multi-task and efficiently respond to changing priorities.

What We Offer

Talented and committed employees are the driving force behind student success. We strive to be an employer of choice among Canadian post-secondary institutions. At Mount Royal University, we recognize that people are a combination of many intersecting identities; we work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person, and harnesses the strength that is available in our diversity, creating a rich and inclusive workplace. Investing in the learning and development of our employees benefits the individual and the University. A variety of services, resources and programs encourage a healthy, productive workplace. Mount Royal University offers a competitive total compensation package including health and dental benefits, pension, health and personal spending accounts, paid vacation, winter holiday closure, personal days and a free membership in our fully equipped recreation center. Our campus offers the convenience of a full medical clinic, dentist and pharmacy, as well as a variety of wellness services such as physiotherapists and massage therapists. Campus Recreation offers many activities, including personal training, climbing, aquatics, sports and certifications for students, employees and the public.
MRU supports full immunization as the best way to protect yourself and our campus community and strongly recommends vaccination against COVID-19.
Salary: $3,107.25 - $3,361.71 semi-monthly Closing Date: Open until a suitable candidate is found
A cover letter and resume should be submitted in one .pdf document. Please title your .pdf document as follows: [Last Name], [Requisition Number], [Document Title].pdf (ex. Smith, 999999, CV.pdf).