AVP, Merchandise Procurement and Vendor Engagement – Canadian Tire – Toronto, ON

Canadian Tire Corporation is one of Canada’s most recognized retailers, and their Merchandising Procurement team has been driving serious results — over $500 million in COGS reduction since 2013. Now, they’re looking for a senior executive leader to take the helm as AVP, Merchandise Procurement and Vendor Engagement, based in Toronto, Ontario. This is a high-impact, highly visible role at the intersection of procurement strategy, vendor partnership, and enterprise transformation.

Leading a team of approximately 25 professionals, this role shapes how Canadian Tire Corporation engages with its global vendor network, builds world-class procurement capabilities, and drives sustainable COGS improvement across the enterprise. If you thrive in complex, multi-dimensional environments and have a passion for both strategic thinking and execution, this opportunity is built for you.

About the Role: AVP, Merchandise Procurement and Vendor Engagement

At its core, this position is about setting and delivering on COGS and sourcing objectives while building scalable procurement practices that serve Merchandising and the PRO teams. The AVP will develop and execute strategies across sourcing, line reviews, vendor management, and procurement best practices — including BATNA management, negotiation game plans, financial deep dives, and post-mortems. You’ll also proactively monitor global market dynamics, from tariffs to geopolitical shifts, and translate these into risk mitigation strategies and opportunities.

Beyond strategy, this role carries significant technology ownership. The AVP oversees Procurement’s data infrastructure — including Cost Controls, Vendor Financial Explorer, Should-Cost modelling, and SAP Vendor Gateway — and is expected to lead the True North Enterprise Sourcing Management (ESM) capital project, a transformative initiative building the enterprise’s future merchandising sourcing platform. Collaboration with IT, XF leadership, and the TMO will be essential.

Benefits and Salary

Canadian Tire Corporation offers competitive salaries and wages along with a comprehensive benefits package. Employees enjoy store discounts, access to the Triangle Learning Academy for supported professional development, Canadian Tire Profit Sharing, and retirement and savings programs for eligible employees. The enhanced flex benefits program includes $5,000 per year in mental health benefits for eligible employees and their families, covering total well-being and mental health tools and resources. CTC also fosters a culture of inclusion, growth, and career development across its family of companies and banners.

Responsibilities

This role spans procurement strategy, vendor engagement, technology ownership, and team leadership. The AVP will set the direction for how Canadian Tire’s Merchandising Procurement function operates at every level — from day-to-day vendor interactions to multi-year capital IT projects — ensuring both financial performance and a world-class vendor experience.

• Establish and deliver clear COGS and sourcing objectives aligned with corporate priorities
• Create and implement scalable procurement best practices including BATNA management, negotiation game plans, financial analysis, and post-mortems
• Monitor market dynamics proactively to develop risk mitigation strategies and opportunities related to tariffs, geopolitics, and commodity cycles
• Manage Procurement’s data infrastructure including Cost Controls, Vendor Financial Explorer, Should-Cost modelling, and SAP Vendor Gateway
• Lead the True North ESM capital project, establishing the business vision, requirements, and overseeing implementation in collaboration with IT and XF leadership
• Govern core controls including Quote Cost approvals, vendor fund rate adjustments, and vendor compliance with payment terms
• Oversee the Vendor System Support (VSS) function responsible for new vendor set-up, onboarding, and real-time vendor support
• Lead the Reverse Flow function responsible for vendor recovery of funds to cover product return costs
• Champion the vendor experience enterprise-wide, identifying and executing initiatives that improve how vendors work with Canadian Tire

Requirements / Skills

The ideal candidate brings a rare combination of senior merchant experience, global sourcing expertise, and the ability to lead complex technology-dependent projects. Canadian Tire is looking for someone who can influence at all levels of the organization, build scalable solutions, and translate strategy into executable plans with clarity and discipline.

• University degree required; Honours Business or Commerce preferred
• 10+ years of merchant experience across a range of product portfolios
• Significant global sourcing experience, including understanding of international vendor landscapes
• Demonstrated track record of leading complex, multi-dimensional projects with significant IT dependencies
• Highly developed ability to influence without authority across diverse functions and organizational levels
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively with all levels of management across multiple banners and functions
• Strategic vision and execution capability — ability to translate high-level concepts into clear processes, tactics, and delivery plans

How to Apply

To apply, visit the official job posting using the link below. Make sure your resume is up to date and tailored to reflect your relevant procurement and vendor engagement experience before submitting.

Share This Opportunity

Know someone who might be interested? Share this job posting and help them join Canadian Tire in Toronto.