Description
District School Board of Niagara
Invites applications for the following position:
Purchasing Coordinator
Working at the District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) means being part of a supportive, innovative community that works towards doing what is best for students, and helping every individual achieve success. We proudly serve over 40,000 students across almost 100 elementary and secondary schools in Niagara, located between Lake Erie in the South and Lake Ontario to the North.
Reporting to the Manager of Purchasing and Central Services, the Purchasing Coordinator plays a key role in supporting the DSBN's procurement operations and ensures compliance with Board policies and public procurement legislation. This position provides guidance to Purchasing staff, develops competitive bid processes, evaluates bids, negotiates purchases, awards contracts, and ensures the DSBN achieves value for money for contracted goods and services. The Purchasing Coordinator liaises with internal departments, external vendors, other educational and public sector institutions, and collaborative buying groups to secure goods and services that support student success and operational excellence.
The preferred candidate will demonstrate strengths in the following areas:
- Organization, collaboration and communication skills.
- Experience developing competitive bid documents and administering competitive bid processes.
- Risk identification and developing risk mitigation strategies, including appropriate insurance terms and conditions in third party contracts.
- Proficiency in MS Office, e-bidding platforms, financial systems and electronic records organization and retention.
- Provide guidance, oversee work, and support Purchasing staff in day-to-day procurement activities.
- Develop competitive bid documents, evaluate bids, negotiate contracts, award contracts and maintain accurate records in accordance with Board policies and applicable legislation.
- Provide contract oversight to achieve value for money for contractual services.
- Maintain and update contract management schedules and coordinate procurement for assigned goods and services across all schools and departments.
- Support strategic initiatives of the board, including coordinating activities related to enterprise risk management programs.
- Gather and analyze contract and spend data and prepare reports.
- Liaison with stakeholders and vendors to ensure service quality and compliance.
- Provide training and mentorship to Purchasing staff.
- Other related duties assigned by the Manager of Purchasing Services.
Qualifications required include:
- Degree or Diploma (3-year) in Purchasing, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration or a related field.
- Ontario Public Buyer's Association (OPBA) Principles Certificate and Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) is preferred.
- Certified Risk Management (CRM) designation is preferred.
- Minimum of 5 years' experience in a purchasing environment, preferably in the public sector.
- Strong knowledge of public procurement practices, relevant legislation, and contract law.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and organizational skills.
Applications including cover letter, resume and three professional references must be submitted via Apply to Education - Job Code 3960723, no later than July 3, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.
The District School Board of Niagara is committed to equity and inclusion in the recruitment and hiring of its employees, who reflect the diversity of our community and students we serve. We encourage and welcome submissions from candidates from diverse backgrounds to build a supportive and inclusive workplace. DSBN welcomes applications from: Indigenous peoples, members of visible minorities, women, persons with visible and non-visible disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. The DSBN is committed to “Redefining Excellence” and recognizes that increasing the diversity of its workforce supports this objective.
DSBN will make interview and employment accommodations during the selection process, based on any of the human rights protected grounds. Please notify us in advance and we will work with you to meet your needs. Applicants are thanked for making known their interest in working for the District School Board of Niagara. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals; however, only those under consideration will be contacted.
Personal information on this form is collected, used, and disclosed in accordance with the Education Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.E.2, as amended and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. R.S.O 1990, c.M. 56, as amended and will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility of the above-noted position and any similar or related purpose(s). Questions about this collection, use and disclosure should be directed to the Freedom of Information Coordinator, District School Board of Niagara, 191 Carlton Street, St. Catharines, ON L2R 7P4 905-641-1550.
Land Acknowledgement
The land on which we gather is the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, many of whom continue to live and work here today. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and is within the land protected by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum agreement. Today this gathering place is home to many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples acknowledging this reminds us that our great standard of living is directly related to the resources and friendship of Indigenous people.
