Contracts and Supply Chain Management
CUPE, Regular, Full-time

Internal applicants from CUPE Local 3799 will be given priority consideration.

The Contracts and Supply Chain Management Department at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) is seeking a Purchasing Agent to join our team.

The department’s mission is to maximize the resources of the University through the timely procurement of goods, equipment, and services required by UNBC faculty, staff, and researchers.

Reporting to the Manager, Contracts and Supply Chain Management, the Purchasing Agent manages all aspects of the procurement process for acquiring goods and services on behalf of UNBC.

As part of the University’s commitment to promote in-house training and development, the Purchasing Agent is part of UNBC’s Gateway Progression Plan. The plan allows individuals to join the team with a range of procurement experience and education and continue their development by achieving educational qualifications, experience, knowledge, and skills. The individual will progress through pay levels as they demonstrate acquired education and knowledge.

The successful candidate will be placed at the appropriate level within the progression plan, and duties and responsibilities will be commensurate appropriate to that level.

The ideal applicant will have mid to senior-level competitive bid and contract development experience.

Responsibilities
Depending on the starting level of the candidate, duties include but are not limited to:

• Leading the procurement process by working closely with internal and external stakeholders to establish best value;
• Leading cross functional teams and stakeholders through the procurement process;
• Managing all aspects of the purchase order cycle for goods and services using automated systems;
• Issuing RFx for goods and services in compliance with purchasing policy including tender preparation, evaluation and award, and contract preparation and management;
• Preparing contract language;
• Reviewing contracts submitted by other companies or agencies to ensure the terms and conditions are in the best interest of the University;
• Conducting spend analysis to identify strategic sourcing opportunities;
• Researching and maintaining current commodity knowledge for sources of supply;
• Participating in the development of metrics and reviewing data to achieve continuous improvement initiatives;
• Collaborating with internal stakeholders to maintain supplier relationships to ensure key contract deliverables are attained;
• Serving as the primary procurement point of contact on specific projects and teams;
• Performing activities to ensure effective risk mitigation related to procurement;
• Ensuring that department databases and files are kept current;
• Assisting in the development of policies and procedures; and
• Providing training and direction in procurement systems and processes as required to other junior team members and to the entire University Community.

Qualifications

The successful applicant will have a Supply Chain Management Professional (SCMP) designation (or equivalent) or be in the process of obtaining this designation. The successful applicant will have a minimum of three years of procurement experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

In addition, the successful applicant will possess the following:

• Experience in public sector procurement;
• Experience in leading procurement projects and competitive bid processes along with demonstrated use of analytical and negotiation skills with successful outcomes;
• Ability to demonstrate application of regulatory requirements, and expert knowledge of the laws of competitive bidding, contract law, and best practices in procurement;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize effectively; and
• Ability to work independently or in a team while maintaining the highest degree of confidentiality.

Salary
The entry level of the plan commences at a Grade 6 ($58,858.80 - $61,279.40) and progresses through to a Grade 12 ($81,590.60 to $84,957.60). The starting salary will be dependent upon the successful applicant’s qualifications, experience and placement within the plan.

UNBC offers employee tuition waivers (including spouse and dependents), excellent benefit and pension packages, employee training and development opportunities, as well as relocation assistance. For more details please see:
http://www.unbc.ca/human-resources/employee-benefits
http://www.unbc.ca/human-resources/unbc-pension-plan
Normal hours of work will be 8:30am – 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. Preference is for the position to be on site.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Employment Equity
The University of Northern British Columbia is fully committed to creating and maintaining an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment that is accessible to all. We are devoted to ensuring a welcoming, safe, and inclusive campus free from harassment, bullying, and discrimination. This commitment is woven into our motto and mission. In the Dakelh language, UNBC’s motto ‘En Cha Huná translates to “they also live” and means respect for all living things. Through the respect for all living things, we are able to grow and learn better together, each bringing our own unique individual differences and contributions to inspire leaders for tomorrow by influencing the world today.

Employment equity requires that we remove barriers and overcome both direct and indirect discrimination. In this way, the pool of excellent candidates increases substantially. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

About UNBC
Since its founding in 1990, the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) has emerged as one of Canada’s best small research-intensive universities, with a passion for teaching, discovery, people, and the North. UNBC’s excellence is derived from community-inspired research, hands-on learning, and alumni who are leading change around the world.

Since time immemorial, Indigenous peoples have walked gently on the diverse traditional territories where the University of Northern British Columbia community is grateful to live, work, learn, and play. We are committed to building and nurturing relationships with Indigenous peoples, we acknowledge their traditional lands, and we thank them for their hospitality. UNBC’s largest campus in Prince George is located on the traditional unceded territory of the Lheidli T’enneh, in the spectacular landscape near the geographic centre of beautiful British Columbia.

UNBC consistently ranks in the top three in its category in the annual Maclean’s university rankings. UNBC also recently placed among the top five per cent of higher education institutions worldwide by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

With a diverse student population, the University is friendly, inclusive, and supportive. Prince George is a city of ~80,000 people with impressive cultural, educational, and recreational amenities. For more information about living and working in Prince George, please refer to http://www.unbc.ca/experience and https://moveupprincegeorge.ca. Make your mark with this leading post-secondary institution.

To Apply
Applicants should create an applicant profile and upload and submit a cover letter and resume. This position is part of CUPE Local 3799 and is an on-campus position, based at the Prince George Campus.

The University of Northern British Columbia is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from the four designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities) as well as the 2SLGBTQ+ communities and individuals with intersectional identities.

Persons with disabilities, who anticipate needing accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, may contact UNBC Health & Wellbeing at employeewellbeing@unbc.ca. Any personal information provided will be maintained in confidence.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. We thank all applicants for their interest in UNBC however, only those applicants selected for further consideration will be contacted. UNBC does not use artificial intelligence to screen candidate applications.

Applications will be accepted until 4:30 PM on May 25, 2026.