Université de Montréal - HEC Montréal

École de technologie supérieure

Harvard Business School

Université de Montréal

Université Laval

Rail and Transit Construction SubContract Specialist at NouvLR, Building division

Longueuil, Quebec, Canada

With 5 years of experience in the public sector, I have been hired to manage the Construction bidding process.

6 Months Fixed-term contract, and for the "FIRST TIME" I had to resign after 2 months by the non-cooperation culture between Departments.

Bonjour Monsieur Hamel,

Suite à ma rencontre avec mon responsable hiérarchique, j’ai le regret de vous informer que nous pourrons pas débuter le déploiement des nouveaux documents d’Edilex.

Pour votre information, la direction de la DST n’a pas encore pris de décision au sujet de ces documents d’Edilex, et de ce fait, je dois attendre les orientations de mes directeurs avant d’aller de l’avant avec leur déploiement.

Merci pour votre collaboration.

Salutations,

Chafik Salhi, B.Arch.
Chef de service par intérim – projets d’immobilisations
Direction des services techniques


1- Have been hired to transform the public call for tenders process by using a great tool called "Edilex". I possess strong experience with this tool, I used it for a year and managed successfully about 90 Construction calls for tender without any technical problem.
2- I defined, revised, and redrafted all (100+) contractual clauses, annexes, and exhibits ( to ensure the lawful use during the bid process on SEAO).
3- Submitted the new document to the DST (Technical Services Department) for approval.
4- They declined because they were not ready to embrace the new technical approach for which I was hired for ??
5- After discussing with the administrators, I realized that no change management strategy was in place with the DST.
6- A Departemental chaos was born!
7- I resigned almost on the spot for the first time.

What did I learn? Ask about the change management strategies in place BEFORE accepting a new mandate.

Gouvernement du Québec – Carrières

Senior Procurement Specialist Construction

One (1) year contract cut-short by Internal restructuring.

The best contractual position ever; a great company with the highest and unconditional respect for the environment and wildlife. They have an outstanding engineering team, and camp conditions are very good.

The Meliadine mine project in Nunavut Territory, northern Canada is Agnico Eagle’s second mine in Canada’s Low Arctic. The mine is located near the western shore of Hudson Bay in the Kivalliq District of Nunavut, about 25 km north of Rankin Inlet, 290 km southeast of Meadowbank mine and about 3000 km of North Pole. Meliadine includes seven gold deposits, six of which are part of the current mine plan.

Exposed to Surface Hard Rock Earthworks contract of a brand new Circular Open-Pit, including; drilling and blasting activities, overburden removal,  rock and mineral (ore) extraction and hauling, batter & flat berm modelization, de-watering, etc.


Management of contract work as per negotiated contract terms; monitoring of work progress, LEM and communication with customers and suppliers to solve problems;

Collaboration with operations superintendents and construction managers, general supervisors, engineers, and others to ensure project objectives are met;
Contractual change control relating to cost and time;
Claims administration;
Maintaining of various contract registers and as per project-specific instructions;
Driving the deliverables and inputs as required from the engineering department.

Agnico Eagle Mines Limited

Surface Earthworks Contract Administrator / Contractor position cut-short by Internal restructuring

There was an Urgent need from Rio Tinto by the departure of the 6th contract administrator in less than a year, my offer was; onsite arrival within 7 days' notice.  Contract sadly Canceled at the last moment

I was exposed and managed those work packages; Refractory, Electrical and Mechanical.

Main responsibilities:

Responsible for understanding the business and project goals for large construction projects and managing contracts with high risk and high complexity.

Key activities:

Review the contract for accuracy and future completeness.
Manage execution of commitments within established project governance, policies (Delegation of Authority), and supplements.
Monitor milestone status to ensure engineering and construction are meeting the project schedule dates.
Ensure that changes, claims, and disputes are satisfactorily resolved and required approvals are obtained.
Ensure change order revisions are being processed in a timely manner.
Assist in developing and monitoring construction plans and procedures.
Manage claims.
Closeout was done by the procurement dept.

Rio Tinto

On-site Construction Contract Administrator Contractual Position (incorporated) Canceled Mandate

Glencore is the largest mining company in the world by revenue (USD 220 billion)

Main responsibilities;

Managing Strategic RFP (Engineering Process and Extraction Performance Optimization) of 6 underground mine sites in South America (Peru and Bolivia) with narrow-veins challenges. CAPEX, OPEX,  Extraction (Mine-to-Mill), new design parameters, operational limits, and Operation Processes.

Projects;

No1-South America UG Mining Optimisation Phase-1- Value $2.5M

Manage international RFP package for Engineering Firm Services;
Evaluate commercial propositions via matrix, and select 4 best propositions
Support in Miami the Steering Committee during preselected 4 bidder's commercial sale pitch
Lead debriefing sessions with unsuccessful bidders to maintain relationships
Evaluate contractual terms and conditions (legal) with the selected firm
Negotiate final and best offer with a saving of (Confidential, but in the 6 numbers);
Manage the awarded contract making sure the selected firm worked consistently from Glencore's expectations
Monitor monthly the highest quality project's deliverables and KPI.

No 2- Value $137.2M

Budgetary Quotations for a feasibility study of Foran’s McIlvenna project, located in Saskatchewan
CAPEX-OPEX -  Underground equipment and spare parts; Bolters, Haul Truck, Drilling Rig, loaders, Shotcrete Sprayer, Graders, Ventilation, Regrind Mills, Personnel Carriers, Emulsion Loaders, Boom, Transmixer, water tanker, Raise-bore, Rock crusher, etc.

Key activities
Develop International Procurement sourcing strategies;
Coordinate and expedite with bid technical analysis and clarification requests;
Maintain strict observance of Glencore's Governance standards.
Control monthly Invoice's expenses and Engineering activities by applying the Earned Value Analysis tool (S curve) and technics.

Thank you to all the team members, especially to François Michel ing.(Below Recommendation),  miss Aline Coté and Barend Human for their support and trust.

Glencore

Strategic Procurement & Contract Manager (Contractor term position Ended 2019-10-22)

Hatch called and hired me back to lead Procurement processes for Alouette's Aluminium Smelter AP40 Project (EPC) Another outstanding Learning Contract position, Project on-time and under-budget! Thank's Hatch, and good luck for the construction.

Main responsibility;
Management of the Contract/Procurement Life Cycle (Pre-Award, RFP, Post-Award, and Close-out)

Duties;
Manage the prequalification and selection of bidders
Prepare and issued invitations to bid
Prepare and issued bid documents (RFP/Tender)
Supervise and maintain the integrity of the bid process. Logged tender questions and replies and/or issue addenda when required
Conduct the bid opening and manage bid clarification meetings
Coordinate conduct commercial evaluations, coordinate negotiations and prepare documentation for recommendations
Review contract terms and conditions and consider and recommend special terms and conditions as required
Prepare and issue PO for construction/purchasing.

AP40 smelters delivering big benefits;

Currently operating above 400kAmps, high amperage AP40 pots stand as the benchmark in reduction cell technology. Fully integrated into an optimized smelter design, AP40 technologies is offering:

Highest demonstrated amperage with development ongoing
Lowest energy consumption (below 12,500 kWh/t) following the development of AP40LE
The lowest total cost of ownership with the lowest combined capital and operating costs
Industry’s most bankable and dependable solution
The most sustainable solution with the lowest energy consumption and GHG emissions
Unequaled productivity (above three tonnes/pot/day) and return on capital invested

Alouette Aluminum Smelter Plant  AP40 technology; Investment cost 38M$; Centrifugal Fans, Forced Convection Network, Anode Turning Conveyor, Side Detection Camera System,  Low Voltage (600V) Switch-gear, cable trays, automation, etc.

Hatch

Mining Procurement & Contract Administrator EPC project Leader

Duro Felguera; DF is a Spanish Engineering firm specializing in executing EPCM, & turnkey projects for the energy, industrial & Oil & Gas sectors. Great company to work for, strong leadership, multicultural team, and outstanding people. Tk's to my Director Señor Pablo LaCasa Mining Ing. for this great opportunity you offered me. Massive layout.

As the only French-speaking Quebecer within the Spanish team, I was bringing a daily team spirit by finding opportunities to improve my relationship with all of my colleagues.  In fact, I was simply cultivating and solidifying what is called; "Emotional Leadership".

On behalf of and representing the owner's ''Mason Graphite'' interests, DF Canada was managing the CAPEX (Capital expenditure) purchasing processes for their new Processing Plant.

I led the Mechanical Packages (Process equipment) on the international market, the fixed assets were; Pumps (Froth, station, Water, Slurry, Centrifugal, Peristaltic, Vertical Horizontal, etc),  Electric Motors from 30 to 100HP, Diesel Tanks, Compressors, Weighfeeders, Reagents flotation system, Truck Scale, Dust Collection, Screw Conveyor, Automatic Palletizer, Packaging system, etc.

Main Responsibilities:
-  Conduct prequalification for vendors to ensure vendor capability;
-  Manage the RFx bidding process; prepare the request for quotation documents, receive bids, overseed the bid clarification process, prepare commercial evaluations & make final bid recommendation;
-  Legally responsible for; reviewing, drafting, negotiating and revising suppliers contracts;
-  Identify commercial and legal risks and develop risk mitigation solutions;
-  Participate in the development of the Project Procurement Plan.

Close Collaboration with; BBA Eng.
Multicultural working environment (English 85%, 13% Spanish & 2% French)
Project value : $250M CAD

Sadly, I will not be witnessing the result of my work since Mason "pulled the plug" (breach of contract) with DF due to the Inadequate cash flow.

DURO FELGUERA S.A. (Spain) DF Canada Engineering Firm

Graphite Mine CAPEX Procurement and Contract Officer (Employment Position)

My contractual position is now over, and it was a pure pleasure to have worked for my procurement manager; Miss Selmi.

Another outstanding experience and position added to my CV. Fully compatible with my strengths, knowledge, skills, personal values, stability, and being involved with great technical Construction challenges!

I was committed to upholding the democratic, professional, ethical and human values of the Public Sector's Ethics Code. I'm performing my duties so as to sustain and enhance the public’s trust in the government’s integrity, objectivity, and impartiality.

Main responsibility;
Work with all team members, I was implementing and managing the Procurement strategies in preparing and processing competitive public tender documents.

Based on my previous three years of experience at the Montreal University (UdeM), and my technical advanced expertise in assisting with interpretation of legislation and procurement principles. I have been appointed to manage the public acquisition processes (RFP/RFQ..), and to provide the contract administration of major and complex Construction & Maintenance projects for 18* institutional buildings, Capital Expenditure (CAPEX), and the equipment's annual maintenance.

Fast-track construction and/or Design-build.

Involved in Projects ;
MEP, HVAC, Boilers, 17 Generators, Electrical upgrades, structure, civil, landscape, and architecture.

DATA Mining initiatives;
1- I downsized shred paper services cost by 9X (or saving of $90K/year)
2- Downsized transport service by 10.93%, from a $1,2M budget

Software; Edilex, GRM, office suite SEAO.

-  2 Major Hospitals (600 beds, 200-300 employees each), and 16 hospital centers of less than 100 beds.

Governement of Quebec

Construction Procurement, Tenders & Contract Management, Goverment of Québec (contractual position)

Field Contract Administrator, Mosaic Mine Site (K3 expension), Contractual Position

I was part of the project team focused on the management of construction and service contracts during the execution of EPCM projects (Mine site) FIFO (rotation 28/7 & 12 hours per shift)

Key Responsibility;
Responsible to manage the full pre-construction contract life-cycle.

Specific duties;
Support the project procurement efforts, in the award of construction and service contracts.
Program monitoring (minutes, scope, cost and time) and progress meetings;
Payment certification;
Claims administration;
Monitor and expedite all requests for information (RFI), responses to RFI, fieldwork instructions (FWI), design change instructions (DCI), change order requests (COR) and contract change orders (CCO)
Receive and record all labor, material, and equipment (LEM)
Develop, process and implement contractual documents and change notices (CCN)
Administrate contracts in accordance with general requirements of contractual terms and conditions
Maintain various contract registers and as per project-specific instructions
Monitor the deliverables and inputs as required by the quantity surveyors
Management of securities/guarantees
Contract Close-out.

Assignments;
1st Project; Mining Concrete HeadFrame (300Ft) using Slip forming Construction (Structure ); budget $30M (+/- 1500 pages contract)

2nd Project; Headframe Internal Steel Structure; budget $33M

3rd; Internal Steel removal (First Headframe), electricity, fire suppression and controls upgrade.

Exposed to; Hoist, Catering & Dorms, Koepe, Maintenance.

KEY contractors; Amec Foster Weeler, Mammoet, Procon, Redpath, Graham Construction, GE, SEC, Scanada, Waiward &Saskarc Industries.

Field Site Pre-Construction Contract Administrator

IT Procurement & Software Acquisition administrator. Temp Relocation; iA's Headquarters in Quebec city,  fixed-term contract fully completed, and thank you for your Trust. iA requested my professional services to manage strategic and complex RFx (RFP, EOI, etc) for which they had no experience on.

iA is Responsible for the administration and management of over $130.2 billion in assets, this publicly-listed company ranks among Canada’s largest and most prominent insurance companies.

Responsibilities:
Managed the entire contract lifecycle including and not limited to tendering process, sourcing, competitive analysis, and commercial evaluations.

Major Strategic RFx:
Nationwide cell phone services (+/- 1000 Phones, Saving of $220K or +/-10% ), and HR software integration services (Workday inc.). All others RFx are falling under a non-disclosure agreement.

iA Financial Group (Industrial Alliance) Banking & Insurance industry

IT Procurement & Acquisition Specialist (Consultant)

Contractor position ended by the return of incumbent, extremely honored to have worked and have been a part of this great organization. Thank you for your Trust.

Cirque du Soleil is a Quebec-based entertainment giant and is the largest theatrical producer in the world.

Responsibilities:
Working under minimal guidance from the International Headquarters' (IHQ) Procurement Department by providing IT procurement services to Stakeholders.

ACHIEVEMENT:
Downsized annual recycling service cost from +/- $12 000 to "$0.00" (Zero-Cost Strategy)

Special Project:
C-TPAT Compliance; U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

Cirque du Soleil

Purchasing / Gestion des acquisitions - Direction Approvisionnement opérationnel Contract ended

SENA called me back for the 2nd time to manage Contract Engineering Projects  (fixed-term completed)

Responsibilities:
Work closely with project and construction management departments in the administration of major construction contracts. Included applying all knowledge and understanding of CCDC's  templates.

Type of Contracts:
Engineering and Construction, Short Contracts & Subcontracts, Professional Services, Term Service, SLA, Unique Supplier,  Cost Plus, Time and Material, Fixed Price, Unite Price, Contract for Service, Contract for Service and Construction, Contractor's Qualification Statement and Design to build.

Duties and achievements are annexed below.

Infrastructure Alberta, Public (Crown) facility, Swan Hills Treatment Center (SENA)

Contracts & Procurement Specialist - Equipment Expenditures (contractor position)

Created in 1965, the Caisse de dépôt et de placement du Québec (the Caisse) is now one of the largest institutional fund managers in Canada and North America, net assets totaled $248 billion.

Responsibilities:
Managed, crafted, drafted and posted strategic procurement documents (Pre-Award Contract Administration, RFIs, RFPs, RFQs), and contract award processes for a $6.7 billion light rail transit train. (LRT-REM 67 km -27 stations  )  Including but not limited to Major & Complex Civil Infrastructures project feasibility studies.

Duties are annexed below.

CDPQ Infra Inc. (Subsidiary of Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec )

Strategic Procurement Documents Administrator (RFXs), Consultant position (fixed-term)

Six-year contract position, resigned for medical reason (Aboriginal (First Nation) virus)

Design & Build Project

Project description:
The 695MW Keeyask generating station included a seven-unit powerhouse complex, concrete spillway, approximately 2.2-kilometers of earth dam structures and 23 kilometers of earth dike structures, as well as 40,000 cubic meters of concrete.

Responsibilities:
Managed all pre-construction contract administration activities with internal groups, suppliers, and contractors and ensured they share the common understanding of the Construction site' requirements.

Type of Contracts:
Engineering and Construction Contracts, Short Contracts & Subcontracts, Professional Services, Term of Service Contracts,  Supply Contracts,  Framework & Adjudicators Contracts

BBE Hydro Constructors ( Joint Venture BECHTEL + ELLIS DON + Barnard )

Associate Deputy Officer Procurement / Contracts , $7.2 Billion EPC Hydroelectric Generating Station

Relocation within 7-day notice from Montreal to the town of Swan Hills, AB. Remote area at a highly secure and regulated industrial environment site. (Fixed-term completed)

Responsibilities:
Manage in accordance with applicable governmental and internal régulations all phases of the procurement processes. From requests for quotes, requests for proposals, and calls for tenders to close-out for professional services; maintenance and construction (Material & Time and Lump Sum).  Including and not limited to; master services agreements, consulting agreements, statements of work, service level agreement, outsourcing agreements, licensing agreements and letters of intent.

Replaced the Procurement Manager (John Desjardins) by a delegation of power

Duties and achievements are annexed below.

Swan Hills Treatment Centre, an Infrastructure Alberta  facility (Public / Crown Asset)

Sr. Field Contracts & Procurement Specialist (Fixed-term contractor position completed), Remote area

Valero Energy Corporation

Project Equipment Buyer, Expediting & Logistics Manager, Portfolio of $40 Million in CAPEX purchases

1st Project:
Major plant-wide turnaround (Shutdown) maintenance ($125M) at Valero Energy Refinery in Levis, Quebec. On-site relocation for an 11-month period. The budget of $40M in purchases.

Role position:
Equipment and Expenditure Buyer (Long Lead Time CAPEX )

Responsibilities:
Managed all phases of the procurement process (RFIs, RFPs, RFQs) from international suppliers under optimal commercial conditions and in accordance with Valero Energy’s Governance policies (AML listing, SOX, ISO) and corporate ethical guidelines.

Duties and portfolio annexed below.

2nd Project:
Alberta Crude OIL Reception Project at Valero energy’s Montréal-East facilities (Terminal).

Responsibilities:
Lead expeditor and project buyer for Tetra Tech's Montreal office.

Management of:
Purchased $11M in equipment for project; Pressure Pumps, Piping, Control, Instrumentation, PLC (Programmable Logic Controllers), Pressure Vessels – ASME Section VIII-1, ASTM, API, CSA and NACE codes.

Nicole Landry, retraitée - TETRATECH Directrice Approvisionnement, Projets

I hired Martin Hamel before my retirement and I had the pleasure to work with him for approximately one year and a half. I was Martin's Procurement Director. Martin is a very hard worker, he learns very quickly and has a lot of drive. After a few months at our head office, I received a request for a buyer/expeditor at Ultramar (now Valero Energy) in Levis, Québec. Martin was immediately hired after the interview and I was told that he was an excellent employee, they were very pleased with my choice; he was exactly the type of person they (Valero) were looking for: a very bright and hard worker. I would recommend Martin to any Company.

Tetra Tech Engineering

Expenditure Project Buyer / Expediting / Logistics Manager (Turnaround)  Valero Energy Refinery

- NOT INCLUDED on my official résumé)

-  Urgent mandate at Enerfin Inc., manufacturing and refurbishing heat transfer products (pressurized heat exchangers), ASME industrial and energy sectors.

Duties:
-  Business processes and financial ratios analysis; re-engineering and re-design of workflows within the organization to achieve efficiency, increase cost effectiveness and, most importantly improve profitability and liquidity ratios.

-  Lead the transition from a transactional purchasing department to a strategic sourcing organization

J2 Gestion d'approvisionnement

Procurement Analyst (Consultant)

Contractual position fully completed.

Annual Budget:
- 20M

Responsibilities:
Managed purchases and tender processes (RFQ, RFP, RFI) for a wide variety of construction and maintenance-related commodities, goods and services
-  Ensured 100% integrity in the acquisition process in accordance with the relevant governing laws (C65-1).

Duties and portfolio are annexed below.

Testimonial:
- Hello Mr. Hamel, I would like to thank you for your outstanding cooperation. You allowed us to advance our thinking with regard to several purchasing habits that were part of the cultural baggage of the Building's Administration operational activities. I thank you because I know for a fact that it was a very big challenge.

On behalf of my team, I wish you a great success in every project you undertake."

Johanne Malo, Architect, Directrice des Opérations Direction Immeubles

Université de Montréal University

Procurement Specialist and Contract Manager (off-campus), Buildings Maintenance & Construction

Responsibilities:
Managed the public tender bids process ranging from $25K to $2 million.

Duties annexed below.

City of Pointe-Claire

Procurement & Contracts Agent, Term position completed

- Assisted the senior buyer
-  Analyzed corporate purchases for refineries (clients; SUNCOR, Valero Energy, Shell and GreenField Specialty Alcohols (ethanol))
-  Managed and purchased oil and gas-related products (pipes, valves, etc.)
-  Drafted and managed contracts, subcontractors and purchase orders
-  Optimized logistics for on-site goods delivery
-  Managed and optimized stock

CNC MECHANICAL 2002

Jr. Buyer, Oil and Gas Industry

Consultant position completed

Responsabilities:
Sourced new international suppliers and negotiated terms and conditions to reduce costs
Worked in collaboration with engineers to standardize major industrial components

Martin B.B.A.