Specialist, Category Management

Specialist, Category Management

Category Management, Supply ChainBurnaby, BC

2 positions available
In accordance with the Purpose, Vision, Values and Coast Salish Teachings, and strategic directions of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position. The Specialist, Category Management, provides specialized procurement, strategic sourcing, and category management expertise in support of complex provincial procurement initiatives and supplier management activities. The role applies advanced procurement knowledge, market analysis, and category management practices to develop sourcing recommendations, support negotiations, mitigate risk, and optimize value across assigned portfolios. Working with clinical, operational, and business partners, the Specialist supports high-value and complex procurement initiatives by evaluating market conditions, supplier capabilities, business requirements, and clinical priorities. The role exercises independent professional judgment to provide procurement advice, develop sourcing recommendations, influence procurement outcomes, and support organizational objectives related to cost, quality, clinical effectiveness, sustainability, and supplier performance.What you’ll do

Facilitate engagement with clinical, operational, and business partners to support procurement decisions, resolve competing requirements, and build alignment on sourcing recommendations and procurement outcomes.
Provide subject matter expertise and advice related to strategic sourcing, category management, supplier management, and contract lifecycle management within assigned portfolios.
Communicate procurement project updates, risks, issues, and recommendations to clients, internal partners, and leadership to support procurement activities and decision-making.
Coordinate and manage assigned procurement activities associated with complex and high-value sourcing initiatives, including procurement planning, development of solicitation documents, supplier evaluation processes, and recommendations supporting contract award decisions.
Develop sourcing recommendations for assigned categories through conducting spend analysis, market research, benchmarking, supplier assessments, and evaluation of operational and clinical requirements.
Contribute to the development and implementation of category and spend strategies through the analysis of spend patterns, market conditions, supplier capabilities, and business and clinical requirements.
Support strategic sourcing plans across assigned categories and apply value and sustainable based procurement principles.
Analyze complex procurement and category management issues by balancing cost, quality, risk, sustainability, and clinical considerations. Provide recommendations and insights to support procurement objectives, risk mitigation strategies, category management decisions, long-term planning, and value creation opportunities.
Coordinate procurement and sourcing activities from planning through implementation, including the development of supplier selection criteria, RFQ/RFP documentation, and evaluation frameworks to support competitive procurement processes.
Support the implementation of sustainable purchasing practices by promoting the integration of ESGI (Environmental, Social, Governance, Indigenous) considerations throughout the source to pay process.
Liaise between Category Management, ESGI, suppliers, and internal partners to address inquiries, resolve issues, and identify opportunities related to sustainable procurement practices.
Participate in negotiations by preparing cost models, scenario analysis, and other relevant data. Assist in ensuring contracts reflect agreed terms and supports transition to implementation.
Monitor and track supplier performance, compliance and utilization using KPIs, scorecards and feedback mechanism to drive continuous improvement, support sustainability, enhance cost efficiency and align with clinical outcome goals.
Identify and support improvements that enhance category performance, service delivery, and operational effectiveness.

What you bring

Qualifications

A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or related field, combined with a professional designation in Category, Procurement or Supply Chain Management. A minimum of five (5) of progressively responsible experience within Procurement and/or contracting services is required. Equivalent experience and training in Indigenous organizations an asset and consideration.
Demonstrated knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples in social and health contexts, including supported by significant knowledge of Indigenous-specific mandates, including clear understanding of and commitment to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination and embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility.
Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within health care settings. This involves familiarity and understanding Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.
Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within Supply Chain contexts found in the foundational documents including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study - BC Human Rights Code, BC Anti-racism Act and how they intersect across the health care system.

Core Competencies

Brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure, and has demonstrated initiatives in breaking down barriers and ensuring a safe environment ensuring a sense of belonging to all and informed by Indigenous Cultural Safety.
Awareness of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (the Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).

Skills & Knowledge

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex issues, identify solutions, and provide recommendations.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present information clearly and concisely.
Ability to build collaborative relationships and work effectively with diverse client groups, suppliers, and multidisciplinary teams.
Demonstrated ability to support the development and implementation of strategic solutions.
Advanced proficiency with database, spreadsheet, word processing, and related business applications.
Demonstrated sound judgment, initiative, discretion, and tact.
Demonstrated ability to learn, adapt to, and effectively utilize evolving procurement and contract management technologies.
Demonstrates a commitment to beginning and/or continuing their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Shows willingness to articulate and share their learning experiences to contribute to a culture of motivation and inspiration among peers.
Demonstrates foundational knowledge of the social, economic, and political realities of settler-colonialism and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and equity-deserving groups within social and health contexts. Understands the impact of social determinants of health-on-health outcomes. Shows a commitment to learning about and upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments outlined in foundational documents such as the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, the BC Human Rights Code, Anti-Racism Data Act, and the Distinctions Based Approach.

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

Job Type: Regular Full-Time Salary Range: $76,111 - $109,409. The starting salary for this position would be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant education and experience, and would be in alignment with the provincial compensation reference plan. Salary will be prorated accordingly for part time roles. Location: 1795 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby, BC V5C 6E3 Closing Date: Applicants accepted until position is filled Hours of Work: 07:30 - 15:30 Monday-Friday Requisition #: 204121, 204131
2 positions available

What we do

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Create equity – Be courageous.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA is committed to anti-racism and equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently excluded groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya’k̓ula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at [email protected].

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and exclusion faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and title of BC First Nations and self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. PHSA is mandated to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents including the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.

Attention current employees of PHSA:

You must apply via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca.

The internal job posting expires on September 18, 2026 and will no longer be accessible. If the internal job posting has expired, please e-mail [email protected] with the six-digit job requisition number and your PHSA employee ID number to be considered as a late internal applicant. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not yet set up an internal profile, please e-mail [email protected] with your PHSA employee ID number to obtain your temporary password. Our business hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, excluding Statutory Holidays and a Help Desk Representative will respond to you with 1-2 business days.

If you are not a current employee of PHSA and require assistance with your application, please contact the External Careers team at [email protected].