Category Lead II
Supply Chain
Kelowna, BC
As a member of the Category leadership team, is accountable for the provision of leadership, planning and overall implementation of integrated province-wide contract management program as it relates to their product categories. Their aspects of Contract Management program are realized over a period of 3 years. Realizes program through the management/coordination of staff, contracts, suppliers, product/supply categories for the Category team.
What you’ll do
- For their sourcing input on development and sustainment of provincial contracting strategy and supply chain re-design program.
- Implement provincial contract management plan for their category to deliver improved value (Contract Savings and actual Internal Rate of Return) to SSO and HA. Track & report on actual savings rates & IRR.
- Develop annual operational plan for category team that allocates internal resources budgets to enables delivery of provincial contract management plan and appropriate service delivery standards within the fiscal restraints of the department. Manage plan through appropriate interpretation of policies and department practices. Establish methods and controls that result in delivery of anticipated outcomes within constraints of the plan.
- Take corrective action to ensure delivery against operational plan, contract management plan, savings and IRR targets.
- Understand dynamics of first, second and third tiers within their category supply chains to ensure supply chains are efficient, robust and disruption risks are well managed.
- Ensure appropriate levels of collaboration, coordination within marketplaces to ensure they are responsive, aligned and efficient.
- Track, trend and forecast, through scenario development, marketplace and organizational shifts that result from changes in the regulatory, technological, social, economic and supplier organizational environments.
- Provide regular briefings on marketplace trends & scenarios to SSO senior management and board. Incorporate these scenarios into contract management program.
- Track, trend and forecast the risk profile of category suppliers, marketplaces and supply tiers.
- Ensure risk profiles are managed to acceptable levels through the structuring supply chains and marketplaces.
- Identify opportunities to collaborate with other Supply Chain organizations to build and leverage inter-provincial and national supply chains and supply chain design and management methods to the benefit of SSO. In conjunction with Director pursues those opportunities that are appropriate.
- Develop positive relationships with external stakeholders including healthcare service providers, vendors and outside contractors, professional organizations, group purchasing organizations.
- Utilize best practices while remaining cognizant of organizational maturity constraints with in SSO, HA and Supplier organizations when formulating advice and recommendations for senior management and when developing recommendations for contract management program.
- Manage all aspects of strategic sourcing to manage risk, quality, ethical practice and environmental practices
- Ensure compliance with procurement policies and department practices. Manage groups’ activities so that business practices are fully transparent.
- Recommend and develop commodity and service contracts, corporate agreements and price normalization agreements. Recommends awards and issues contracts on behalf of the SSO.
- Use Category Management implementation and change management processes and practices to build Health Authority, SSO SC branch and clinician buy in and active support for Provincial contract management & supply chain redesign program. Recommend improvements where and when appropriate.
- Utilize with skill, innovation and creativity the business processes, practices and methods for category management, request for proposal, negotiation and contract management.
- Ensure continuous improvement through running lessons learned processes and implementation in there area of responsibility lessons learned program.
- Support benchmarking, participation in industry organizations, and develops personal networks with other professionals to establish Supply Chain design and management best practices.
- Ensure employees in their category are trained processes/procedures/practices and methods and that they are carried out consistently throughout their team.
- Foster the provincial Supply Chain perspective and promotes and facilitates innovation in service delivery and a high level of customer service
- Educate branch levels, supports branch development and ensures timely support from their centre of excellence to the the branch such that the branches can effectively provide request and expenditure management.
- Ensure their centre of excellence works with warehouse & logistics organization through all stages of design and implementation.
- In collaboration with their peers in Standardization, Warehouse & Logistics and Branches, utilize provincial span of accountability to designs supply chains to provide competitive and efficient province-wide marketplaces and supply chains that maximize business opportunities and drives regional spend to provincial as much as is practical.
- In conjunction with peers in Branches, monitor supply chain performance and drives supplier management to ensure that value improvements are being delivered.
- In collaboration with peers in Standardization, use information to identify opportunities for changes in Standards of Patient Care within Health Authority
- Supports Category Management Leads participation in the development and implementation of the Category Management input into Supply Chain’s strategic plan; ensure that key issues related their portfolio are clearly articulated during the strategic planning process; implements approved initiatives.
- Provide guidance to other members of the Supply Chain leadership team.
- Work collaboratively with other Supply Chain personnel, peers within HA and leadership of supplier organization to resolve organizational maturity constraints with in SSO, HA and Supplier organizations.
What you bring
Qualifications
- Post secondary degree with Procurement certification or equivalent level of education, training and experience.
- Certified Purchasing Professional designation is a definite asset.
- 3 to 5 years progressive leadership experience in the supply chain field, including extensive experience in complex, multi-site organizations and in working closely with clinicians and physicians.
- Solid experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, economic analysis, risk management, contracting and contract management are essential. Proven experience with project management methods and change management are required.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes significant understanding of Indigenous-specific mandates and a commitment to addressing and mitigating Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination. The role involves actively embedding Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility into daily practices and fostering a diverse and inclusive team environment. Additionally, it requires practical expertise in engaging with diversity, promoting equity, and advancing inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
- 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, Anti-Racism Data Act, BC Human Rights Code - 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 leadership in breaking down barriers and ensuring an environment of belonging and Indigenous Cultural Safety.
- Knowledge 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
- Demonstrated deep understanding of their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Able to articulate and share this journey to motivate and inspire others.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the social, economic, political realities of settler-colonialism and impacts on Indigenous peoples in social and health contexts as well as knowledge and understanding of, and commitment to upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments in the foundational documents: 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, 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: $90,770 - $130,481. 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: 104-2355 Acland Road, Kelowna, BC V1X 7X9
Closing Date: Applications accepted until posting is filled
Hours of Work: 08:00-16:00 (Monday to Friday)
Requisition #: 203519E
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 7, 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]. 