Procurement Specialist (Program Admin. Officer 3)
Competition # : 48000
Department: Service Nova Scotia
Location: HALIFAX
Type of Employment: Permanent
Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG
Closing Date: 05-Mar-26 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)
About Us
Procurement is a division of the Department of Service Nova Scotia (SNS) responsible for managing major purchases for departments, agencies, boards and commissions, addressing their complex business needs. We ensure a transparent, competitive purchasing process that maximizes value while supporting environmental, economic, and societal goals. Our team provides the expertise needed to guide the government in finding creative, sustainable procurement solutions.
Procurement is evolving as a function and a profession. Our Vision is to lead government procurement service delivery through innovative approaches that achieve:
- Responsible management of public resources
- A clear focus on client needs
- Optimized sourcing solutions
- Transparency, compliance, and sustainability in all actions
What is Public Procurement
Public Procurement refers to the process of identifying needs, sourcing products or services, conducting market research, and negotiating contracts, all while adhering to trade agreement obligations and internal procedures.
The goal of public procurement is to explore market opportunities and implement sourcing strategies that provide the best possible outcomes for the organization, its key partners, and Nova Scotia as a whole. SNS Clinical Procurement offers expertise and guidance to help clients, particularly Nova Scotia Health, find creative and sustainable solutions for complex business needs.
About Our Opportunity
Reporting to the Category Manager the Procurement Specialist supports strategic sourcing and category management for assigned categories, providing subject matter expertise on sourcing strategies, procurement best practices, and contract negotiations in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.
Primary Accountabilities
- Identify and deliver sustainable cost saving opportunities through engagement with key partners, spend analytics, and category market intelligence.
- Manage end to end procurement for goods and services supporting major business initiatives, including strategic sourcing, tactical procurement, and contract management.
- Lead, advise, and consult on supply market trends, sourcing methodologies, procurement best practices, cost reduction opportunities, and sourcing performance.
- Support or Lead negotiations for major government contracts and initiatives.
- Apply Canadian contract and tendering law, relevant legislation, regulations, and trade agreements within the public procurement environment.
- Provide expert guidance to government and private sector partners on complex procurement, contracting, negotiation, and business relationship matters.
- Advise client partners on vendor disputes, including analysis and recommendations for resolution.
- Procure clinical and health related goods and services within the clinical portfolio.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Maintain accurate records and documentation across various systems and reports.
- Other related duties as assigned
Qualifications and Experience
To succeed in this role, you will need a bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Relevant experience may include:
- Project management
- Leading end to end RFX processes
- Contract drafting and negotiation
- Strategic sourcing
- Data Analytics
- Market sounding
You also have the following skills or work experience:
- Strong interpersonal and creative problem-solving skills, with the ability to provide diplomatic advice and guidance to senior management. Able to effectively handle and resolve vendor and client complaints or inquiries.
- Proven ability to identify, manage, and reduce risks or disputes, including those that could lead to legal issues or damage trust in the procurement process.
- Flexibility and adaptability to quickly adjust to changing situations and environments.
- Excellent time management and organizational abilities.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word and Teams.
- Experience in organizing and facilitating meetings with key partners and vendors, both in-person and virtually.
- Proven team player who collaborates effectively with management, peers and clients.
The following will be considered assets:
- Completion or partial completion of Certification/Training such as PMAC, PSPP, SCMA and PMP
- Experience in a clinical procurement environment
- Experience in public procurement
- Experience with SAP (procurement modules) and SAP Ariba.
- A minimum of 2 years experience leading RFx in Procurement
We will assess these qualifications and competencies through various methods, including written exams, standardized tests, oral presentations, interviews, and reference checks.
Equivalency
An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered. Applicants who wish to claim equivalency must clearly demonstrate how their qualifications meet the requirements in their application.
Equivalencies may include:
- A related master’s degree and three (3) years of related experience
- A related 2-year diploma and seven (7) years of related experience
- A related 1-year diploma and eight (8) years of related experience
An equivalent combination of training, education and experience will be considered. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.
Benefits
Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.
Working Conditions
• Work hours: 35 hours per week, 7 hours per day.
• Role expectations: The job requires strong mental focus, detailed analysis, and collaboration with key partners.
• Work environment: You will often manage multiple priorities with varying deadlines.
• Office setting: Most of your time will be spent in a comfortable office environment.
• Attention to detail: Accuracy and attention to detail are crucial in this high-volume, complex service area.
• Reading: Extensive reading and drafting of documents are necessary.
• Computer use: Prolonged use of computers is required.
• Meetings: Some off-site meetings may be required.
• Flexible hours: Occasional adjustment of working hours may be needed.
What We Offer
- Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
- Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
- Countless Career Paths.
- Department Specific Flexible working schedules.
Pay Grade: PR 13
Salary Range: $2,750.62 - $3,343.61 Bi-Weekly
Employment Equity Statement:
Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.
Accommodation Statement:
We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Candidates may request accommodations based on any grounds protected by the Human Rights Act. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please contact us at competitions@novascotia.ca.
This is a bargaining unit position initially restricted to current civil service employees represented by the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU). If applying from outside a government office, employees must apply correctly via this link:
Failure to apply correctly means that your application will not be given first consideration as a bargaining unit applicant, and will only be included if external applications are pursued.
External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if there are no qualified civil service bargaining unit candidates. PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.
Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to Competitions@novascotia.ca.
