Proposal Procurement Lead (North America)

Company Description

Veolia Group is a global leader in environmental services, operating across all five continents with nearly 218,000 employees. Specializing in water, energy, and waste management, Veolia Group designs and implements innovative solutions for decarbonization, depollution, and resource regeneration, supporting communities and industries in their ecological transformation. Within this framework, Veolia's Water Tech Business brings together a dedicated team of experienced professionals committed to tackling the world’s most complex challenges related to water scarcity, quality, productivity, and energy. Together, we pursue a shared mission to create a more sustainable future.

Job Description

The Proposal Procurement Lead (PPL) is responsible for determining current and expected material costs and engineering budgets for Veolia Water Technologies-supplied equipment during the ambiguity bidding phase. Reporting to the Senior Manager - Proposal Procurement, North America this role serves as an agile Strategy Enabler to optimize cost-competitiveness and manage operational supply chain risks. The PPL leads complex project bids (approximate $200M annual deal value), standardizing procurement workflows, leveraging proposal procurement SOPs and negotiating critical spend packages.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Strategic Thinking:
  • Lead the procurement strategy and optimize bid competitiveness while identifying and mitigating supply chain risks
• SOP Standardization & Discipline:
  • Champions the structured proposal procurement and tender SOP and utilizes digital Proposal Automation Tools and Standardized Flowsheets to drive standard tender processing.
• Matrix Collaboration:
  • Actively routes sourcing packages and collaborates with Global Category, Regional Technical Category, and Execution teams to secure competitive 'bottom costs' and avoid uncompetitive pricing.
• Analytical Estimator:
  • Maintains accuracy in cost databases (including the NORAM Price Book) and tracks Return-on-Experience (REX) action plans to ensure execution feedback is applied to new bids.
• Execute Proposal SOP:
  • Leading proposal costing and the execution of proposal process from proposal kick off until cost finalization, bid submission, and project transfer.
• Proactive Sourcing & Bottom-Cost Negotiation:
  • Actively engage with Project Proposal/Sales, Category Management, Engineering, and Logistics to develop highly optimized and negotiated 'bottom cost' strategies, directly enhancing proposal win rates.
• Matrix Sourcing Routing:
  • Instant package routing to true owners across the procurement organization, the Global Category Team for should-cost modeling, the Technical Category Team for custom fabrication/mechanical installations, and the Regional Execution Team for localized delivery parameters.
• Sourcing Database Ownership:
  • Maintain and enhance the NORAM Price Book with current supplier and subcontractor pricing data, synthesizing pricing analytics from global and regional categories.
• Risk & Contingency Evaluation:
  • Identify commercial liabilities, logistics variables, and technical risks during the tender phase, establishing robust cost contingency models tailored to specific project requirements.
• Continuous Project Return-on-Experience (REX):
  • Collaborate with execution teams to transfer proposal cost models, log performance, and ensure lessons learned are implemented to safeguard future project execution margins.
• Process & Tool Optimization:
  • Champion the deployment of the digital Proposal Automation Tool and Standardized Flowsheets to instantly quote routine deals, maximizing estimating capacity for complex projects.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Technical & Engineering Aptitude

• Ability to read and understand complex engineering drawings, mechanical fabrications, and P&ID specifications.
• Mechanical aptitude in a water treatment or high-tech manufacturing environment.
• Solid understanding of capital project costing methodologies and financial logic

Commercial Sourcing & Estimation

• Strong numerical, mathematical, and analytical capability.
• Proficiency in developing competitive cost models with limited starting inputs.
• Familiarity with contract terms, INCOTERMS, and supply chain logistics.
• Skillful project management skills and ability to influence stakeholders.

Digital & Systems Proficiency

• High proficiency with SAP or similar ERP platforms, including purchase-to-pay (P2P) cycles and outline agreements.
• Advanced proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office applications.

Education & Experience:

Required

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business, or related technical field
• 5 to 7 years of professional experience in the Water & Wastewater sector, EPC project environment, or major industrial contracting
• Demonstrated track record of procurement estimation, commercial engineering, or project sourcing experience

Preferred

• Technical Master's Degree or M.B.A.
• Professional certifications such as C.P.M., CPSM (ISM), CIPS, or PMP (PMI)

Working Conditions:

• Up to 10% annual travel
• Hybrid/Remote, Various North American locations

Additional Information

Join a company that values Responsibility, Solidarity, Innovation, Customer Focus, and Respect. You'll have opportunities for comprehensive leadership development, career advancement, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on sustainability and environmental protection while leading a talented team.

At Veolia, we realize diverse teams make smarter decisions, deliver better results, and build stronger communities. We’re an organization that champions diversity and inclusion at every rung of the ladder and are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We offer challenging and meaningful careers. Because our people are our greatest assets, we also offer competitive compensation and benefits.

Compensation:
The compensation range is tied to the market for similarly benchmarked roles. The range is not an absolute, but a guide, and offers will be based on the individual candidate’s knowledge, skills, experience, and market conditions, as well as internal peer equity. Depending upon all the preceding considerations for the final selected individual candidate, the offer may be lower or higher than the stated range: $85,000.00 - $100,000.00 CAD.

We offer...
Opportunity for advancement. A place to build a career!
Training in valuable skills
Opportunity for new challenges. We’re growing!
Strong leadership team!

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Disclosure:
We do not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to screen, assess, or select applicants for this position.

Vacancy Status:
This posting is for an existing vacancy.

As an inclusive company, Veolia is committed to diversity and considers all applications equally, without discrimination.

Veolia does not accept unsolicited resumes from external recruiting firms. All vendors must have a current and fully executed MSA on file before submitting candidates. Any unsolicited resumes and candidate profiles will be deemed the property of the company, and no fee will be due.

As an inclusive company, Veolia is committed to diversity and gives equal consideration to all applications, without discrimination.