Senior Category Manager

Marketing Statement

A career at TransLink and our family of companies means working with people with a wide range of skills and perspectives, all teaming up towards a common goal: preserving and enhancing the region's world-envied quality of life. Together, we connect the region and enhance its livability by providing a sustainable transit and transportation network, embraced by our communities and people.

At TransLink we are dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities in which we live. We’re committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable and accessible workplace, recognizing the unique value and skills every individual brings.

Looking for a great place to work where your contributions are valued and you can make a difference in a vibrant city? At TransLink, one of BC’s Top Employers, you'll help make Metro Vancouver a better place to live, built on transportation excellence. Put your future in motion!

Responsibilities

PRIMARY PURPOSE

Provides strategic direction and oversight for category management including management of tactical procurement and contracts for an assigned category. Develops and implements processes and procedures for end-to-end sourcing and contract lifecycle within category including negotiation, implementation, and management of contracts. Identifies and takes action with opportunities to align business strategies and oversees the integration and risk mitigation in the delivery of services. Provides senior level expertise to plan, manage and address vendor performance and contractual issues to ensure all parties’ obligations and responsibilities are carried out, business risks are mitigated/managed; integrates findings and lessons learned in future contracting and contract management strategies.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Contributes or manages major capital and enterprise operational procurement, development, and implementation of category-specific strategies, including in-depth market analysis, best-practice review, demand-pattern analysis, and development of requirements for high-risk complex commercial transactions. Oversees competitive solicitation process (requirements gathering, procurement strategy, negotiation, and implementation) for procurement activities within the assigned category.

Contributes to contract and vendor strategy, plans; establishes key requirements, measures, and protocols to report contractor and vendor performance to Senior Management and stakeholders as appropriate. Leads negotiation of complex, high risk, contracts and subsequent management and completion of contracts. Reviews contract and vendor performance; identifies risks, recommends, and implements corrective strategies to mitigate risk.

Contributes to the development and implementation of mechanisms to ensure vendors are meeting the terms and conditions of their agreements by leading the development and implementation of Contract Management Plans (CMP). Contributes to the development and implementation of specific goals, objectives, plans and budgets (operation and capital) in support of assigned contracts. Ensures all aspects of Contract management are met, such as (but not limited to) project reporting, budget, schedules, project deliverables, document control, risk and incident management, audit process, safety and security, operating licenses, and payment process.

Oversees or leads negotiations as key contracting agent on contractual terms during competitive solicitation process and throughout the contract’s lifecycle; compliance towards Service Level Agreements (SLA) and Key Performance Indicators (KPI) during ongoing management for contracts. Collaborates with stakeholders responsible for other aspects of negotiation process, including areas requiring interpretation or adjustment and ensures integrated activities are conducted in alignment with the overall scope and expectation of contracted services.

Oversees the development and establishment of vendor performance management process to ensure tracking and measurement of vendors’ performance as well as creates vendor scorecards; instituting and monitoring performance improvement plans to ensure vendors comply with performance requirements; leads regular meetings with vendors to ensure performance expectations are met and provides closures to any concerns and / or issues.

Collaborates with other key stakeholders to develop the Vendor performance evaluation plan to identify continuous improvements. Oversees or leads regular risk assessments with internal stakeholders to mitigate any potential vendor risk; proactively lead the process to prioritize issues requiring escalation to senior management.

Provides senior level expertise to internal customers / business owners and Senior Management, as it relates to assigned procurements and contracts including identifying business requirements and improvement opportunities for assigned category, and recommendations to the business relationship model (i.e., outsource, in-source, co-op, etc.). Alerts all key stakeholders of any deficiencies, contractual implications, recommends and takes corrective action, as appropriate, and implements resolutions.

Act as an enterprise liaison in the event of an incident, assisting in coordinating required response or establishing responsive protocol. Addresses contractual disputes and ensures adequate closure; reviews and approves compensation, relief event and insurance claims by the vendor(s); acts as the principal representative and authorized agent on legal/litigation (i.e.: claims) matters to drive issues to resolution.

Provides leadership, training and development, coaching, performance planning/review, and all other people management practices.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

The requirements for the job are acquired through completion of a Bachelor's Degree (Commerce, Business Administration, Law, Finance, or related field of study) with eight (8) years of experience in progressively senior roles related to contract management, commercial management and / or category management.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Expert knowledge of Supply Chain Management and end-to-end contract management skills including advanced market knowledge of assigned category and business case development.

Ability to lead a Contract Management Program with strong commercial background and an ability to interpret legal documents.

Advanced knowledge of major infrastructure delivery concepts, models and theories (i.e. procurement models/options for rapid transit, bridges, public-private partnerships (P3s), design-build, etc.)

Strong interpersonal, facilitation and leadership skills to lead multi-disciplined teams with conflict management, change management and resolution skills to manage complex business relationships.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills to provide senior level of counsel and advice with advanced planning and organizational skills.

Excellent knowledge of transit or transportation with strong knowledge of public and private sector best-practices.

Industry designation (e.g., Sourcing: SCMP, CSCP, CIPS or P. Log and Contracts Management / Commercial Management: CPCA, CCMA, CMBoK, or other equivalent certification) is an asset.

Other Information

Recruitment Process: An applicant will be required to demonstrate their suitability for this position by meeting the minimum level of qualifications and experience in order to be invited into the selection process. A standard interview format will be used including general, scenario and behavioural descriptive interview questions.

Work Schedule

37.5 hours per week.

Work Designation

Hybrid

This position offers the flexibility of working both on-site and remotely within B.C.

Rate of Pay

The salary for this position ranges from $120,560 - $180,840 per annum. Actual salary offered will be based on education, experience, skills, and qualifications as they relate to the role.

We aim to provide competitive pay that reflects your professional background and expertise. We want to ensure our offer will align with your strengths considering experience, skills, and internal equity to offer a fair and equitable salary. The Total Compensation Package, which includes Extended Health, Dental, Transit Pass and enrollment in the Public Service Pension Plan as well as other employment offerings will be discussed in detail as your application progresses.

How to Apply

Please click the 'Apply' button at the top right corner of the page or go to http://www.translink.ca/careers to apply for this position and view instructions on the process.

INSTRUCTIONS: Please save your (1) cover letter, and your (2) resume as one pdf document prior to uploading your application on-line.

Posting Date: April 14, 2026

Closing Date: Open until filled

Please note that only those short listed will be contacted.

Having trouble applying? Please view the System Requirements & FAQ's by going to http://www.translink.ca/careers.

Equal Employment Opportunity

TransLink is committed to employment equity and building a diverse workforce, representative of the customers we serve and the many communities in the Metro Vancouver region. We welcome and encourage Indigenous applicants, people of colour, all genders, 2SLGBTQ+ and persons with disabilities to apply. Learn more about TransLink's commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. For a confidential inquiry, simply email us at jobs@translink.ca.