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Section Manager, Supply Chain - Job Opportunity at Nuclear Waste Management Organization

Toronto, Canada
Full-time
Senior
Posted: June 4, 2025
Hybrid
CAD 120,000 - 150,000 annually based on the senior management level, specialized nuclear industry expertise requirements, 10+ years experience mandate, team leadership responsibilities, and Toronto market rates for supply chain management roles in highly regulated technical industries

Benefits

Competitive base salary positioning candidates favorably within the nuclear energy and specialized procurement sectors
Comprehensive health care benefits package providing medical, dental, and extended health coverage typical of crown corporations and specialized technical organizations
Defined benefit pension plan offering guaranteed retirement income and long-term financial security, increasingly rare in today's market and highly valuable for career-long professionals
Hybrid work model balancing flexibility with collaboration, allowing 2 days remote work while maintaining team connectivity
Professional development opportunities within a specialized technical field with unique expertise requirements
Employment equity commitment demonstrating organizational values and inclusive workplace culture
Accommodation support for employees with disabilities showing comprehensive employee care
Job security within a essential national infrastructure organization with long-term mandates

Key Responsibilities

Drive strategic sourcing initiatives that directly impact national nuclear waste management infrastructure, leading cross-functional teams to develop procurement strategies for multi-million dollar technically complex projects with significant corporate risk exposure
Negotiate and implement master supplier agreements for technically sophisticated consulting services and engineered products, managing contracts that span multiple business units and require deep understanding of nuclear industry regulations and safety requirements
Conduct comprehensive market surveillance and establish performance criteria for suppliers in the highly specialized nuclear waste management sector, where vendor capabilities and reliability directly impact public safety and environmental protection
Lead procurement projects from conception to completion with minimal oversight, managing technically complex contracts that require coordination between legal, financial, risk management, and technical teams
Provide expert guidance on procurement processes and commercial considerations to internal stakeholders and external suppliers, serving as the authoritative resource for contract standards and supplier qualification in a highly regulated industry
Supervise and develop section staff while establishing performance objectives and providing coaching in specialized procurement techniques unique to the nuclear industry
Lead contract negotiations requiring expertise in balancing technical specifications, commercial terms, and regulatory compliance within Canada's nuclear waste management framework
Manage product surveillance assignments that require deep technical knowledge to balance surveillance costs against potential failure consequences in critical nuclear infrastructure
Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure quality and delivery standards meet stringent nuclear industry requirements while implementing corrective actions for any deficiencies
Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance department efficiency and effectiveness while managing corporate risks associated with nuclear waste management operations

Requirements

Education

4-year university degree in business, commerce or a technical/engineering program or an equivalent level of education sufficient to obtain certification as a Supply Chain Management Professional

Experience

Over 10 years of relevant experience in strategic sourcing and procurement activities

Required Skills

Strong leadership abilities to manage, direct, support and coach a group of employees Strong technical knowledge to understand technically complex contracts and vendor capabilities for consulting services and engineered products Demonstrated experience developing and writing complex contracts, negotiating with suppliers and, building effectively manage business relationships with suppliers Demonstrated experience in purchasing technically complex equipment, products, technical and management consulting services and services for major construction projects, and/or where the socio-economic or other processes are developmental and specialized in nature Strong negotiating skills to develop contract terms and conditions and to resolve disputes Strong leadership skills with direct experience supervising, coaching and co-ordinating activities of employees Strong communication skills and to prepare contracts and recommendations to senior management, to negotiate complex/major contracts Proven organizational skills, be a self-starter who can work independently and in a team environment that is dedicated to excellence Demonstrated ability to successfully manage multiple projects/assignments with competing priorities Demonstrated knowledge and experience working with ERP systems with a strong understanding of underlying process flows Experience with ERP implementations Experience with Power Bi, and HotDocs

Certifications

Supply Chain Management Professional certification preferred
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Industry Trends

The nuclear energy sector is experiencing significant growth globally as countries seek clean energy solutions to meet climate change commitments, driving increased demand for specialized nuclear waste management expertise and creating a competitive market for experienced professionals in this niche field. Canada's commitment to nuclear energy as part of its clean energy strategy, combined with the NWMO's selection of the Deep Geological Repository site, represents a major infrastructure investment that will drive sustained demand for specialized procurement and supply chain expertise over the next two decades. The nuclear industry's aging workforce and highly specialized knowledge requirements are creating succession planning challenges, making experienced professionals in nuclear supply chain management increasingly valuable and sought after by both public and private sector organizations. Digitalization and advanced analytics in supply chain management are transforming procurement processes even in traditional industries like nuclear energy, requiring professionals to adapt to new technologies while maintaining the rigorous safety and compliance standards essential to nuclear operations.

Role Significance

Typically manages a specialized team of 5-8 procurement professionals and contract specialists, with dotted-line relationships to additional cross-functional team members from legal, technical, and risk management departments for major procurement initiatives.
This is a senior management position with significant organizational impact, evidenced by the responsibility for developing corporate procurement strategies, managing multi-million dollar contracts, leading cross-functional teams, and making decisions that affect corporate risk exposure in a critical national infrastructure organization.

Key Projects

Implementation of master supplier agreements for Deep Geological Repository construction and engineering services Strategic sourcing initiatives for specialized nuclear waste handling equipment and consulting services Development of procurement frameworks for Indigenous community partnership requirements Management of complex multi-year contracts for technical consulting services supporting Canada's nuclear waste management program

Success Factors

Deep understanding of nuclear industry regulations, safety requirements, and technical specifications is essential for evaluating supplier capabilities and managing contracts in this highly regulated environment where technical failures can have significant public safety and environmental consequences. Exceptional negotiation and relationship management skills are critical for working with a limited supplier base of highly specialized vendors while balancing technical requirements, commercial terms, and regulatory compliance in a sector where supplier relationships are long-term and strategic partnerships. Strong project management and risk assessment capabilities are vital for managing complex procurement initiatives that span multiple years, involve significant financial commitments, and require coordination across technical, legal, regulatory, and commercial domains. Leadership and change management expertise is essential for guiding teams through the organization's transition from Toronto to Ignace while maintaining operational excellence and building capability in a new geographic location.

Market Demand

High demand due to the specialized nature of nuclear supply chain expertise, limited talent pool with required security clearance and technical knowledge, and Canada's expanding nuclear infrastructure investments creating sustained long-term opportunities

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Technical contract negotiation expertise is absolutely essential because nuclear industry contracts involve complex technical specifications, safety requirements, and regulatory compliance elements that require deep understanding to avoid costly errors or safety risks that could impact the entire program. Leadership and team management capabilities are critical for success as this role involves supervising specialized staff, coordinating cross-functional teams, and leading organizational change during the Toronto-to-Ignace transition while maintaining operational excellence. Risk assessment and management skills are vital because procurement decisions in nuclear waste management have long-term consequences for public safety, environmental protection, and organizational reputation, requiring sophisticated risk evaluation and mitigation strategies. ERP systems expertise and data analytics capabilities are increasingly important as nuclear organizations digitize their operations and require supply chain leaders who can leverage technology to improve efficiency while maintaining the rigorous documentation and traceability standards essential to nuclear operations.

Beneficial Skills

Power BI and advanced analytics experience would provide significant advantage in developing strategic insights from procurement data and supporting evidence-based decision making in a data-rich technical environment. Experience with Indigenous community engagement and partnership development would be highly valuable given NWMO's commitment to reconciliation and the location of the DGR site in partnership with Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation. Knowledge of international nuclear industry standards and practices would enhance the ability to identify global best practices and supplier capabilities in a sector where innovation and expertise are distributed across multiple countries. Change management and organizational development expertise would be beneficial for supporting the organization's growth and geographic transition while building procurement capabilities in a new location.

Unique Aspects

This role offers the rare opportunity to contribute to one of Canada's most significant long-term infrastructure projects, with work that will impact public safety and environmental protection for thousands of years, providing unparalleled professional purpose and legacy.
The position involves managing procurement for cutting-edge Deep Geological Repository technology and consulting services that represent the forefront of global nuclear waste management innovation, offering exposure to world-class scientific and engineering expertise.
The upcoming relocation to Ignace, Ontario presents a unique opportunity to be part of building a new regional center of excellence while working closely with Indigenous communities in a framework of reconciliation and partnership.
The role requires security clearance and involves work with national infrastructure that is critical to Canada's clean energy future, providing access to highly specialized knowledge and professional networks unavailable in most procurement positions.

Career Growth

Typical progression to Director level within 3-5 years given the specialized expertise and senior management experience, with potential for VP-level roles within 5-8 years depending on organizational growth and additional strategic leadership experience

Potential Next Roles

Manager, Supply Chain or Director of Procurement within NWMO or other nuclear organizations Senior Director of Operations or VP of Supply Chain in nuclear energy companies Consulting roles specializing in nuclear industry procurement and supply chain strategy Senior procurement leadership positions in other highly regulated industries such as aerospace, defense, or major infrastructure organizations

Company Overview

Nuclear Waste Management Organization

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization is Canada's leading authority on nuclear waste management, established as a not-for-profit organization with a critical national mandate to safely manage the country's intermediate and high-level radioactive waste for generations to come, representing one of the most technically complex and long-term infrastructure challenges in Canadian history.

NWMO holds a unique and essential position as Canada's only organization specifically mandated for long-term nuclear waste management, operating with strong government backing and international recognition for its innovative approach to Deep Geological Repository development and Indigenous community engagement.
The organization is transitioning from a Toronto-based operation to establishing its primary presence in Ignace, Ontario, reflecting its commitment to the selected DGR site and representing a significant regional economic development opportunity in Northwestern Ontario while maintaining connections to Canada's nuclear industry centers.
NWMO fosters a culture of scientific excellence, safety leadership, and collaborative decision-making, with strong emphasis on Indigenous reconciliation, environmental stewardship, and long-term thinking that reflects the multi-generational nature of nuclear waste management responsibilities.
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