Category Specialist - Explosives and Reagents

Date: Aug 27, 2025

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Start Date ASAP

Hybrid Work Environment (3 days in office, 2 days remote with flexible hours)

Dress Code Business Casual

Location Downtown Toronto, Outside of Union Station (TTC & GO accessible)

A Great Place to Work

Who We Are

Founded in 1993, Kinross is a Canadian-based senior gold mining company with operations and projects in the United States, Brazil, Mauritania, Chile and Canada. Our focus on delivering value is based on our four core values of Putting People First, Outstanding Corporate Citizenship, High Performance Culture, and Rigorous Financial Discipline.

Mining responsibly is a priority for Kinross, and we foster a culture that makes responsible mining and operational success inseparable. Our values-based approach ensures that sustainability and our environmental, social and governance commitments are a core part of our strategy and plans for future growth. In line with our values, we also aim to build meaningful partnerships with all of our stakeholders, including communities, shareholders, employees, governments and suppliers.

Kinross maintains listings on the Toronto Stock Exchange (symbol: K) and the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: KGC).

Interested in learning more about us? Visit our website.

Job Description

The Category Specialist for Explosives and Reagents is responsible for the strategic sourcing, contracting, supplier management, and continuous improvement of the explosives and chemical reagents supply categories. These categories are critical to safe, efficient, and cost-effective mining and processing operations. The role supports business objectives through cost optimization, supply assurance, contract performance, and alignment with health, safety, and environmental standards.

Job Responsibilities

1. Category Strategy and Planning

- Develop and implement category strategies for explosives and reagents that align with operational needs, market conditions, and corporate objectives.

- Conduct category spend analysis, market intelligence, and risk assessments.

- Forecast demand and plan sourcing activities accordingly.

- Responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and contracting Indirect goods and services that support operations not directly related to core production (e.g., Consultants, Engineering and Professional Services, etc., ensuring value-for-money, compliance with procurement policies, and alignment with business objectives.

- Responsible for the following functions and categories at Corporate Office: Metallurgy, Mining, Exploration, Geology, HR, Finance, Strategic Business Planning, Treasury, Tax.

2. Strategic Sourcing

- Lead end-to-end sourcing processes: prepare and issue RFx documents, evaluate bids, and manage negotiations.

- Ensure procurement processes comply with competitive procurement rules, governance standards, and sustainability commitments.

- Evaluate and recommend optimal sourcing models (e.g., bulk supply, consignment, vendor-managed inventory).

3. Contract Management

- Develop, negotiate, and manage commercial contracts for explosives and reagent suppliers.

- Ensure a clear scope of work, service levels, and KPIs are embedded in contracts.

- Coordinate contract handovers to operations and monitor ongoing compliance and performance.

- Prepare monthly and quarterly cost variance reports and ensure sites are using correct pricing as per contract formulas and adjustments.

4. Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)

- Maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to support innovation, continuity of supply, and issue resolution.

- Monitor supplier performance against key indicators (e.g., costs, delivery, product quality, safety, and ESG performance).

- Facilitate regular supplier reviews and corrective action planning.

5. Stakeholder Collaboration

- Work closely with operations, metallurgy/process teams, technical services, health & safety, and finance.

- Provide procurement support for site trials, product transitions, and emergency sourcing needs.

- Act as a commercial advisor on matters relating to explosives and reagent use, storage, and logistics.

6. Risk, Safety, and Sustainability

- Ensure suppliers meet company safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements, especially for hazardous goods.

- Contribute to business continuity and critical supply planning for regulated or sensitive materials.

- Support sustainability initiatives including green chemistry, carbon reduction, and responsible sourcing.

Education and Experience

- Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, engineering, or related field.

- 3–7 years of experience in procurement or category management, ideally in mining, chemicals, or heavy industry.

- Working knowledge of explosives regulations (e.g., NRCAN), chemical safety standards, and MSDS management.

- Strong skills in contract negotiation, supplier management, and commercial analysis.

- Experience with ERP and eProcurement platforms (SAP, JDE, etc.)

Skills

- Strong negotiation and analytical skills

- Risk awareness and safety orientation.

- Cross-functional collaboration.

- Contract and supplier performance management.

- Effective communication and stakeholder engagement.

- Attention to detail and commercial insight.