Senior Public Sector Procurement Leader with 20 Years Experience

CHASLENE PILGRIM

Senior Procurement Leader Public Sector & Broader Public Sector (BPS)

Toronto, ON

647-***-**** ️ ********@*****.***

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Enterprise procurement leader with 18+ years of progressive leadership experience driving large-scale transformation, governance modernization, and strategic sourcing across complex organizations.

Proven track record of delivering measurable business value through commercial negotiations, contract optimization, and centralized sourcing models. Expert in building scalable procurement functions, improving operational efficiency, and enabling data-driven decision making through ERP systems including SAP S/4HANA and Microsoft D365.

Deep subject matter expertise in public sector procurement built through early involvement in the rollout and sector application of the Broader Public Sector (BPS) Procurement Directive, supported by extensive collaboration with procurement legal counsel.

CORE LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES

• Enterprise Procurement Strategy & Transformation

• Supplier Negotiation & Commercial Strategy

• Cost Optimization & Value Creation

• Organizational Design & Centralization Models

• Digital Procurement & ERP Enablement (SAP S/4HANA, D365)

• Cross Functional Business Partner (Finance, IT, Legal)

• Contract Portfolio & Vendor Management

• Risk Management, Controls & Audit Readiness

• Team Leadership & Capability Development

SPECIALIZED EXPERTISE IN PUBLIC SECTOR PROCUREMENT

• Early practitioner during the initial rollout of the Broader Public Sector (BPS) Procurement Directive in Ontario

• Contributed to sector-level input and application considerations through work with the Ontario Association of Community Care Access Centres (OACCAC), supporting alignment across diverse public sector organizations

• Developed deep expertise through hands-on leadership of complex procurements and sustained collaboration with procurement legal counsel

• Recognized for strong interpretation and application of procurement directives, legislation, and governance frameworks in high-accountability environments

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Elections Ontario

Senior Procurement Manager (Enterprise Lead)

November 2024 – Present

Enterprise procurement leader responsible for the strategic direction, governance, and performance of procurement across the organization, supporting electoral readiness and multi-year corporate priorities.

• Lead enterprise-wide procurement transformation, modernizing governance frameworks, policies, and decision authorities to strengthen compliance, transparency, and risk management

• Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO, CAO, and executive leadership on procurement strategy, commercial risk, and supplier market dynamics for high-risk and high-value initiatives

• Oversee a portfolio of complex, high-value contracts, ensuring strong commercial outcomes, lifecycle oversight, and alignment with fiscal and operational objectives

• Serve as Executive Sponsor for Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) procurement implementation, guiding enterprise design decisions, governance integration, and organizational change

• Establish procurement as a strategic business partner, shifting from transactional delivery to forward-looking planning, category strategy, and enterprise portfolio management

• Lead and develop a high-performing procurement team, driving capability uplift, consistency, and a modern procurement operating model

MaRS Discovery District

Senior Procurement Manager

November 2023 – June 2024

• Led enterprise transition from a decentralized to a centralized procurement operating model, establishing governance, controls, and standardized processes

• Designed and implemented modern procurement policies and frameworks aligned with public sector best practices

• Delivered measurable value for money, achieving $250K in annual savings through strategic sourcing, contract rationalization, and vendor negotiations

• Established contract management and renewal frameworks to improve financial forecasting, supplier performance, and executive oversight

• Partnered with Legal, IT, and leadership to negotiate complex technology and professional services agreements

Waterfront Toronto

Procurement Manager

February 2023 – November 2023

• Provided strategic procurement leadership for high-profile capital infrastructure and development projects

• Advised executives on procurement and project delivery models, aligning risk allocation, funding structures, and public accountability

• Led complex evaluations and negotiations under CCDC and RAIC frameworks, ensuring fairness, transparency, and audit defensibility

Toronto Parking Authority

Head of Procurement

2020 – 2022

• Built and led a centralized procurement function, establishing enterprise governance, policies, and operating models

• Served as senior procurement authority, advising executive leadership on sourcing strategy, contract risk, and vendor negotiations

• Led SAP S/4HANA procurement implementation as Business Lead, overseeing system design, governance workflows, and organizational adoption for 250+ users

• Negotiated and managed a $5M enterprise contract, delivering strong commercial outcomes and risk mitigation

• Implemented enterprise spend analytics and reporting frameworks to support executive decision-making and financial oversight

Procurement Specialist

2017 – 2020

• Managed complex procurements, including IT, consulting, and capital contracts

• Conducted competitive RFP processes ensuring compliance, fairness, and transparency

• Supported development of procurement policies, templates, and governance frameworks

EARLIER CAREER

Progressive procurement leadership roles across public and broader public sector organizations, including Consulting Engineers of Ontario and the Ontario Association of Community Care Access Centres (OACCAC).

Foundational experience during the initial rollout of the Broader Public Sector (BPS) Procurement Directive, contributing to sector-level discussions and supporting practical application across diverse organizational structures.

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Public Sector Procurement Professional (PSPP), NECI

• Legal Risk Management, Osgoode Hall Law School

• Advanced RFP & Evaluation Training (PMAC)

SELECTED CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Led enterprise procurement transformation across multiple public and broader public sector organizations

• Delivered measurable cost savings, including $250K+ annual value through strategic sourcing initiatives

• Directed ERP-enabled procurement transformations (SAP S/4HANA, D365) improving visibility, controls, and decision-making

• Built and led high-performing procurement functions from the ground up in complex environments

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