Corporate Buyer - City of Kingston

Join a team that’s building more than a city - we’re building a community where people thrive. At the City of Kingston, your work has real impact: safer streets, greener spaces, inclusive experiences, innovative transit, creative public spaces, and brighter futures for all.

We’re more than just a municipal government - we’re a team of problem-solvers, innovators, and community-builders who take pride in shaping the place we call home. As an employer, we’re committed to your growth, your well-being, and creating an environment where every voice counts. Your career is more than a job - it’s where your impact begins.

Reporting to the Manager, Procurement, the Corporate Buyer is responsible for the strategic sourcing of goods and professional services, equipment, and construction services across all City of Kingston departments. The Corporate Buyer facilitates the end-to-end procurement process, in conjunction with department users, and is responsible for ensuring compliance with the City’s Procurement By-law, as well as applicable trade treaties and legislation, while proactively minimizing procurement risk. This role provides procurement and contract lifecycle support to all city departments within the corporation.

Responsibilities:

• Manages the process for the acquisition of goods and services including capital assets and construction, through the competitive bidding process, low value acquisitions, non-competitive purchases or group/cooperative arrangements.
• Provides skilled direction to city departments and supports them with the development and oversight of all procurement project documents related to request for proposals, request for quotations, tenders and pre-qualifications.
• Oversees all phases of the end-to-end bidding process for complex projects; analyses bids for compliance with requirements set within bid documents; and supports and guides city departments through the evaluation and award recommendation and contractual processes.
• Delivers expert, ethical, and defensible procurement advice and provides recommendations to city departments related to process methods and strategies to extract value in an appropriate manner while mitigating corporate risk.
• Responsible for the timely creation and issuance of electronic bid opportunities including solicitation creation, addenda and award notice posting through the City’s electronic bidding portal. Provide staff training of the bidding portal, as and when required.
• Liaises with the City’s Legal Services department on matters related to risk and insurance matters.
• Researches the on-going developments in Canadian public procurement regulatory / trade treaty requirements and best practices and recommends updates to the City’s procurement processes and procedures.
• Identifies opportunities to leverage group purchasing organizations, use of cooperative buying, and corporate centralized purchasing.
• Assists with developing and recommending improvements to the City’s procurement framework, policies, and sourcing templates.
• Responsible for maintaining and promoting strong customer service standards and building relationships with both city department staff and external stakeholders.
• Provides expert guidance to city departments to support understanding of and compliance with the City’s Procurement By-law, policies, procedures, and legislated trade treaty requirements.
• Supports city departments in responding to vendor debriefing requests and during contract negotiations
• Provides operational back-up support to City purchasing agents in the use of the City’s financial management system.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Two (2) year diploma in business administration or a business-related program.
• Three (3) years’ experience in procurement, preferably in a public or municipal sector organization.
• Evidence of or working towards a procurement designation or certification such as Ontario Public Buyers Association (OPBA), Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), National Institute of Supply Chain Leaders (NISCL).
• Must demonstrate corporate values of Belonging, Collaboration, Accountability, and Innovation
• Ability to balance projects and competing priorities effectively
• Sustained concentration and advanced analytical thinking
• Solution focused and goal oriented
• Adaptability to fast-changing circumstances
• Strong customer service and support skills
• Excellent communication, negotiating and organizational skills are essential.
• Proficient computer skills including use of various Microsoft Office programs.
• Willing to upgrade experience with on-going educational seminars and courses as deemed necessary by the Manager, Procurement.
• Must obtain and maintain a satisfactory criminal record check

Why you’ll love it here…

We provide our employees with a comprehensive and competitive total rewards package, which may include extended health coverage, travel and life insurance, and long-term disability. Specific benefits can vary depending on your role and terms of employment.

In addition, employees may enjoy access to:

• OMERS defined pension plan
• Vacation entitlements
• Employee wellness and assistance programs and resources
• Ongoing training and education opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements
• Corporate perks such as discounted transit and fitness passes
• Learning & development resources and networks
• Relocation assistance and local resources
• To learn more about working at the City of Kingston, click here.
• Learn more about what makes Kingston so special on PossibleMadeHere.org

How to apply:

Submit your online application by 11:59 PM on the job posting closing date. Click the 'APPLY HERE' button to complete your application.

Applicants must demonstrate in their submission how they meet the minimum education and experience requirements of the position. Please include any relevant education documents (degrees, diplomas, or certificates) to your profile.

Accommodations are available at all stages of the recruitment and selection process to support a barrier-free experience for all candidates in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require any accommodations, please let us know. For more information, you can contact us at hrcity@cityofkingston.ca.

Thank you to everyone who applies. While we value each application, only those advancing in the recruitment process will be contacted. All personal information will be handled in compliance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).

The City of Kingston may utilize artificial intelligence (AI) assisted tools throughout the recruitment process. All final hiring decisions are made by qualified municipal staff.

Internal applications: https://bit.ly/city-kingston-internal

External applications: https://bit.ly/city-kingston-external

To ensure you don’t miss any updates, please check your spam or junk folders for emails from a City of Kingston account.

Our commitment:

The City of Kingston acknowledges that we are on the traditional homeland of the Anishinabek, Haudenosaunee, and the Huron-Wendat, and thanks these nations for their care and stewardship over this shared land.

Today, the City is committed to working with Indigenous peoples and all residents to pursue a united path of reconciliation.

Please apply online at:
https://careers.cityofkingston.ca/cl2/xweb/xweb.asp?clid=61577&page=jobdetails&jobid=J0426-0153&BRID=EX378024&SBDID=21701&LANG=1.