Director, Strategic Initiatives

Come make your difference in communities across Canada, where authenticity, trust and making connections is valued – as we shape the future of Canadian retail, together. Our unique position as one of the country's largest employers, coupled with our commitment to positively impact the lives of all Canadians, provides our colleagues a range of opportunities and experiences to help Canadians Live Life Well®.

At Loblaw Companies Limited, we succeed through collaboration and commitment and set a high bar for ourselves and those around us. Whether you are just starting your career, re-entering the workforce, or looking for a new job, this is where you belong. 

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Profile:            Director, Strategic Initiatives and Procurement Analytics, Enterprise Procurement Group

Reports to:            Sr. Director, Strategic Initiatives & Sourcing, Enterprise Procurement Group

Role Mandate:

This role will lead the development and execution of key strategic savings initiatives, provide analytical support for complex RFx analyses, oversee the procurement team's data, dashboards, and reporting, and manage the Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) program.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives and Sourcing, the Director will be accountable for delivering significant and sustainable results, with a focus on cost reduction. The role involves leading projects with cross-functional teams, working directly with suppliers, and cultivating strategic stakeholder relationships across the organization. This position requires a highly analytical and strategic thinker with exceptional problem-solving skills and the ability to thrive in ambiguous environments.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned professional with deep industry experience and a proven track record of delivering impactful and sustainable results. They should be comfortable navigating complex and ambiguous environments, demonstrate exceptional analytical skills in extracting insights from raw data, and excel at building persuasive and impactful presentations for executive audiences.

Accountabilities:

Strategic Initiatives

• Lead end-to-end strategic project execution, defining the current state, analyzing opportunities for significant savings, and driving implementation to achieve measurable results.
• Facilitate executive-level workshops, design and implement new processes, oversee project training, manage change initiatives, and ensure seamless handovers.
• Analyze complex data sets to identify actionable insights and communicate them effectively to senior leadership.
• Develop and present compelling business cases and presentations to influence stakeholders and secure executive buy-in for strategic initiatives. Presentations must be clear, concise, and persuasive, effectively communicating complex information to senior leadership.
• Lead and mentor cross-functional project teams to develop and deliver comprehensive strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Chair working committees and steering groups, providing strategic direction, and ensuring alignment with organizational goals. This requires strong business acumen and the ability to understand the broader business context.
• Foster collaborative relationships with business units to ensure alignment and maximize the impact of strategic initiatives.

Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)

• Own the procurement team’s Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) program, ensuring alignment with strategic sourcing objectives.
• Facilitate regular Executive Business Reviews (EBRs) between procurement leaders, business leaders and suppliers, identifying areas for improvement and partnership growth.
• Foster collaborative relationships with key suppliers, promoting open communication and continuous improvement.

Procurement Data, Dashboards & Reporting

• Oversee the management of Procurement team data, ensuring data accuracy, integrity, and accessibility.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of Procurement team dashboards and reporting, providing insights into key performance indicators (KPIs) and identifying areas for improvement.
• Lead the development of ad-hoc reports and analyses to support strategic decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with data governance policies and procedures.

Analytics Support

• Provide comprehensive analytical support to procurement teams throughout the RFx process, ensuring data-driven decision-making and optimal outcomes. 
• Oversee the development and implementation of standardized data analysis methodologies and tools to support procurement teams in conducting complex RFx analyses. 
• Provide guidance and mentorship to data analysts, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and ensuring the delivery of high-quality analytical support to procurement teams. 
• Develop and deliver training programs to procurement teams on data analysis techniques and tools, empowering them to leverage data effectively in their RFx activities.

Skills and Capabilities:

• Exceptional project and change management skills, with a proven ability to lead complex initiatives and drive organizational transformation.
• Deep knowledge of business process improvement techniques (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, etc.) and their application in a strategic context.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesize complex data into actionable insights and identify strategic opportunities.
• Exceptional leadership and teamwork skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate cross-functional teams to achieve ambitious goals.
• Exceptional interpersonal and presentation skills, with the ability to build strong relationships and influence key decision-makers.
• Exceptional ability to present complex ideas in a clear and compelling manner to executive audiences.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong business acumen and understanding of the grocery retail industry.
• Ability to thrive in ambiguous environments and make sound decisions with limited information.
• Expert in the use of MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, etc.).
• Experience with Procurement data analytics platforms is an asset (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)

Role Requirements:

• A minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in business, engineering, or a related discipline.
• MBA is strongly preferred.
• Project Management Certification (i.e., PMP, etc.) is an asset.
• Lean/Six Sigma or equivalent process improvement certification is an asset.
• A minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in process optimization, procurement, or management consulting, with a demonstrated track record of delivering significant results.

Our commitment to Sustainability and Social Impact is an essential part of the way we do business, and we focus our attention on areas where we can have the greatest impact. Our approach to sustainability and social impact is based on three pillars – Environment, Sourcing and Community – and we are constantly looking for ways to demonstrate leadership in these important areas. Our CORE Values – Care, Ownership, Respect and Excellence – guide all our decision-making and come to life through our Blue Culture. We offer our colleagues progressive careers, comprehensive training, flexibility, and other competitive benefits – these are some of the many reasons why we are one of Canada’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, Canada’s Greenest Employers & Canada’s Top Employers for Young People.

If you are unsure whether your experience matches every requirement above, we encourage you to apply anyway. We are looking for varied perspectives which include diverse experiences that we can add to our team.

We have a long-standing focus on diversity, equity and inclusion because we know it will make our company a better place to work and shop. We are committed to creating accessible environments for our colleagues, candidates and customers. Requests for accommodation due to a disability (which may be visible or invisible, temporary or permanent) can be made at any stage of application and employment. We encourage candidates to make their accommodation needs known so that we can provide equitable opportunities.  
 
Please Note:
Candidates who are 18 years or older are required to complete a criminal background check. Details will be provided through the application process.

#EN