Assistant Vice President, Procurement & Supplier Management

Permanent Full Time

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This is a transformational executive leadership opportunity to build and lead an AI-enabled Sourcing and Supplier Management function. Reporting to the Global Head of Procurement, the AVP will define the operating model, shape enterprise strategy, lead organizational transformation, and drive commercial value across the business. This role is responsible for establishing the vision, roadmap, governance, talent strategy, and future workforce model while ensuring sourcing capabilities support business priorities, supplier performance, risk management, and exceptional stakeholder experiences.

What You Will Do:

• Develop and execute a multi-year vision and roadmap for a future-ready, AI-enabled Sourcing and Supplier Management function.
• Design and optimize the operating model, determining how employees, global delivery teams, external partners, automation, and AI work together to deliver results.
• Establish sourcing service models, governance frameworks, decision rights, and quality standards that improve stakeholder experience and operational effectiveness.
• Lead enterprise-wide commercial strategy, ensuring sourcing is engaged early in business planning, supplier decisions, and technology investments.
• Drive adoption of AI, automation, analytics, and digital capabilities that improve sourcing, contracting, supplier management, and decision-making outcomes.
• Oversee enterprise supplier strategy, including supplier performance, innovation, resilience, sustainability, risk management, and strategic negotiations.
• Create an integrated operating rhythm that aligns demand, capacity, supplier performance, risk exposure, and sourcing priorities.
• Provide executive-level insights and recommendations on commercial value, market trends, supplier exposure, transformation progress, and emerging opportunities.
• Lead, coach, and develop Directors and their teams while building leadership depth, succession plans, and a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous learning.

What You Will Bring:

• Significant progressive leadership experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, supplier management, or commercial leadership roles.
• Proven success leading complex negotiations, enterprise-wide initiatives, and large-scale organizational transformation.
• Experience building or transforming procurement, sourcing, or commercial organizations that deliver measurable business outcomes and improved user experiences.
• Strong leadership capabilities with demonstrated success leading leaders, building high-performing teams, succession planning, and talent development.
• Expertise in operating model design, strategic planning, governance, supplier management, commercial value creation, and risk management.
• Experience leveraging AI, automation, analytics, and emerging technologies to create scalable capabilities and drive business adoption.
• Exceptional executive presence, stakeholder management, influencing, and communication skills with the ability to drive alignment across complex organizations.
• A post-secondary degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Procurement, supply management, finance, legal, risk, technology, or transformation-related credentials are considered assets.

Why Join Us:

This is a rare opportunity to build, transform, and lead a future-ready sourcing organization. You will have the mandate to define strategy, mobilize teams, leverage responsible AI, influence enterprise-wide decisions, and create a sourcing function that delivers lasting commercial value and competitive advantage.

Career opportunities will be open a minimum of 5 business days from the date of posting, closing dates will vary depending on the search activity. All applications received will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Grow with Canada Life

We’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the financial, physical and mental well-being of Canadians. Our company is trusted by 1 in 3 Canadians and contributes to the strength of communities across the country.

We’re looking for people who live our values everyday: we step up, we do the right thing, and we deliver – for our customers, communities and each other. Are you someone who always strives to do the right thing, who steps up for themselves and others, and who delivers with impact? Then we want to hear from you!

What we offer:

We’re committed to supporting our employees through every stage of their career. Here’s what you can expect as a full-time or part-time permanent team member:

• Career Development: Opportunities for career advancement, access to industry-leading learning programs and up to $2,000 annually towards education reimbursement.

• Health & Wellness: Flexible health and dental benefits, plus a $5,000 mental health benefit to support your well-being.

• Time Off: In addition to regular vacation and personal days, we support community involvement with a volunteer day.

• Financial Security: Company-matching pension plan, share ownership program and additional investment options.

• Rewards and Recognition: Employee recognition programs, service milestone celebrations, employee discounts and more!
• Emphasis on Community: We provide a workplace where employees feel connected and supported through Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), mentorship programs, social clubs and events.

Learn more about Canada Life.

We’re committed to removing barriers and ensuring equal access to employment. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation during the application process may contact [email protected]. All information provided will be handled in accordance with applicable laws and Canada Life policies.

Canada Lifewould like to thank all applicants, however only those who qualify for an interview will be contacted.

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