Lessons in Leadership from Supplier Management

One of the most critical aspects of public procurement is managing relationships with suppliers, which is one of the key things I currently do as the Manager of Supplier Relationships, where I oversee Contract Management and Supplier Development Nationally at Canoe Procurement Group of Canada. 

It's a diverse and exciting role, as I get to work with a wide range of suppliers and help them navigate the intricacies of our group purchasing agreements. While I may not be a category management specialist, given the geographic scope I cover, I've had to become a bit of a "jack of all trades" when it comes understanding our contracts, our suppliers, and their network of local dealers and sales teams. I really enjoy building relationships with suppliers and helping them understand the importance of public sector policy as it relates to procurement. 

My Path to Procurement and Supplier Management 

Like many others in this field, my path to procurement and supplier management hasn't been a straight line. I've been in supply chain roles my entire career, starting out in warehousing, logistics, and even some manufacturing positions while putting myself through school. I worked my way up the ranks in the private sector, eventually becoming the Manager of Corporate Purchasing for a Canadian company, managing supply chain operations from logistics, inventory, and purchasing from coast to coast. 

I moved from that position in private procurement to working with a small township north of Toronto in public procurement. I’ll be honest – making the transition to the public sector was a bit of a culture shock at first. The protocols and procedures were quite different from what I was used to in the private world. 

Luckily, I received some great advice from a buyer in another municipality early on: Always attend your local cooperative purchasing meetings and join your regional public procurement association. For me, that was the Ontario Public Buyers Association (OPBA), which is a chapter of NIGP. 

The Power of the NIGP Network 

Joining that network of public procurement professionals was a game-changer. I suddenly had a group of peers I could lean on, learn from, and collaborate with. It made the daunting task of being "the only procurement person" in my organization much more manageable because I had access to a whole continent of procurement professionals who could offer their experience and advice when I needed some support. 

My township was always very supportive of my success; however, the challenge was that I was the only person to fulfil my role in our small organization. So, when I had a very specific procurement question, I didn’t have anyone in my organization to turn to who would know the answer. That is where having access to the NIGP network really came in handy. 

Even though I’ve been involved with my local chapter, I officially became a member of NIGP last year, further expanding my network and access to professional development opportunities. 

Leading in Procurement 

One of the aspects I've really come to appreciate in my current role is the ability to apply my leadership skills to more than managing employees. In my role, I serve as a guide and a trainer to support and develop our approved suppliers. While the dynamic is different, I find there are many parallels between leading staff and developing suppliers. 

Regardless of my role or organization, my leadership approach has always been one of servitude, mentorship and influence rather than command & control. I try to lead with empathy, respect, and a clear vision, whether I'm working with an internal team member or an external supplier. The goal is to help people understand the "why" behind decisions and processes, not just tell them what to do. 

I've been fortunate to have some incredible leaders in my career who have modeled this management style. They created environments where open, honest dialogue was encouraged and where mistakes were seen as opportunities for growth, not punishment. That's the kind of leader I aspire to be, and I’m excited about all the ways NIGP will help me continue to grow as a leader in this field.