Procurement Officer, Wellington
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Robert Walters

Principal Procurement Specialist- Infrastructure

  • Posted Today
  • Hybrid
  • Full Time

Wellington

Job Description

Are you a senior procurement professional who enjoys tackling complex projects where the right commercial strategy can make a real difference?


NZDF is looking for a Principal Procurement Specialist to lead some of its most significant and challenging infrastructure procurements.


This is a senior, non-management role with the opportunity to influence major Defence infrastructure projects from the earliest stages of procurement strategy through to sourcing, negotiation and contract handover.


About the role


You’ll lead high-value, high-risk infrastructure procurements end-to-end, developing procurement strategies that are tailored to the risk, complexity and critical path of each project. You’ll have the opportunity to shape how major infrastructure projects are brought to market, rather than simply following a standard procurement process.


Your responsibilities will include:


  • Leading complex infrastructure and construction procurements through the full plan, source and manage lifecycle.
  • Developing procurement and sourcing strategies that reflect each project's risk, complexity, delivery model and critical path.
  • Determining the right procurement delivery model for each project, including Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) where appropriate.
  • Leading high-value sourcing activity, negotiations and commercial arrangements.
  • Providing strategic advice on procurement strategy, commercial risk and governance.
  • Developing contracts, service agreements, extensions and variations and supporting the transition into contract management.
  • Establishing effective supplier governance, performance measures and commercial arrangements.
  • Providing procurement assurance across high-value and high-risk projects.
  • Working with senior stakeholders to identify, manage and mitigate procurement and commercial risks.
  • Challenging existing approaches and driving continuous improvement across infrastructure procurement.


About you


You’ll be an experienced procurement and commercial professional who has worked on complex infrastructure or construction projects and is comfortable operating at a senior level.


You’ll bring:


  • 10 years' senior procurement and commercial experience.
  • A proven track record leading high-value, high-risk infrastructure procurements end-to-end.
  • Strong infrastructure and construction procurement experience.
  • Experience developing procurement strategies for complex projects
  • Experience with Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) and design and construct (DNC) other collaborative procurement approaches.
  • Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to identify, manage and mitigate risks.
  • Proven negotiation and contract development experience.
  • Strong project management capability across complex and multi-workstream projects.
  • Extensive stakeholder management experience, including working with senior leaders, project teams, suppliers and technical specialists.
  • Strong knowledge of the NZ Government procurement environment, including the Government Rules of Sourcing and public-sector requirements.
  • Excellent strategic thinking, judgement and problem-solving capability.
  • A relevant tertiary qualification, MCIPS or equivalent procurement/commercial qualification.


Why join NZDF?


This is an opportunity to work on major Defence infrastructure projects that have a tangible impact on NZDF's facilities and operational capability. You’ll join Defence Commercial Services in a senior role where you’ll have genuine influence over procurement strategy, commercial outcomes and the successful delivery of complex infrastructure projects. You’ll be working on projects where no two procurements are quite the same, requiring commercial thinking, sound judgement and the confidence to challenge and find better ways of doing things.


Want to know more?


Call Serena Daysh on 022 184 2126 or email serena.daysh@robertwalters.co.nz


Additional Information


  • Pre-employment drug testing and NZDF Police Clearance are required.
  • Full drivers licence required


Please Note


To be eligible for the required level of government security clearance with NZDF, you must meet the following criteria:


Higher Level Security Clearance


  • You must be a New Zealand citizen, or hold New Zealand Permanent Residence or a current New Zealand Residency Class Visa.
  • You must have lived continuously for the last 10 years in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, or the United States of America.
  • You must have a 10-year background history that can be verified and assessed by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS).


Robert Walters endeavours to review all applications in a maximum of five working days. If you have not received correspondence within this timeframe please do not hesitate to contact Serena Daysh on +6444719734

Desired Hard Skills

  • Project Management
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Contract Development
  • Negotiation
  • Procurement Strategy

Desired Soft Skills

  • Judgement
  • Problem Solving
  • Strategic Thinking

Culture

  • 🌐 INZ Accredited Employer

Job Schedule

  • Monday to Friday

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Procurement officer jobs are in demand across industries like agriculture, education, and manufacturing. From large-scale exporters to public sector organisations, employers are looking for people who can manage supplier relationships, streamline purchasing, and keep operations running smoothly.

Day-to-day work

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Career progression

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