Head of Operations and Technology Procurement

He angitūtanga: The opportunity

Auckland Council is seeking an accomplished procurement leader to join our Procurement Leadership Team as Head of Operations and Technology Procurement.

Reporting to the GM Procurement, this is a senior leadership position responsible for setting the direction and leading the delivery of procurement across significant operations and technology spend portfolios.

You will lead a team of experienced procurement professionals and work closely with senior leaders across the Auckland Council Group to develop category strategies, shape commercial approaches and establish a forward pipeline of strategic procurement opportunities.

The role has a strong focus on moving procurement upstream. You will build trusted partnerships with the business, identify opportunities early and ensure procurement strategy is aligned with organisational priorities, commercial objectives and long term value.

Beyond individual procurement initiatives, you will have the opportunity to influence how Auckland Council engages with key supplier markets, strengthens commercial performance and delivers sustainable value across the organisation.

Ngā kawenga matua: Your responsibilities

As Head of Operations and Technology Procurement, you will provide strategic and people leadership across the function while contributing to the direction and performance of the wider Procurement leadership team.

Your remit will include:

• Leading, coaching and developing a high performing team of procurement professionals

• Setting the strategic direction for procurement across operations, technology and systems categories

• Developing and executing category strategies aligned with Council and business priorities

• Building strong relationships with senior stakeholders and acting as a trusted commercial adviser

• Maintaining a visible pipeline of strategic procurement opportunities across the Plan, Source and Manage lifecycle

• Leading sophisticated sourcing, negotiation and commercial strategies for complex procurement activity

• Driving effective supplier relationship, contract and performance management

• Identifying, delivering and reporting measurable commercial benefits and value for money outcomes

• Using market intelligence, cost and spend analysis to inform procurement strategy and decision making

• Supporting social and sustainable procurement outcomes and ensuring whole of life value is considered in commercial decisions

• Contributing to procurement transformation, capability development and continuous improvement across the function

He kōrero mōu: About you

You will bring significant procurement and commercial leadership experience, ideally gained within a large, complex or highly regulated environment.

You are an experienced people leader who can set direction, build capability and create an environment where high performing professionals can succeed. Equally important will be your ability to operate credibly with senior stakeholders, navigate complexity and influence commercial decisions across an organisation.

You will bring:

• At least 10 years' experience across procurement, strategic sourcing or supply chain

• Significant leadership experience, including leading and developing procurement teams

• Demonstrated experience developing and executing sophisticated category and procurement strategies

• Strong commercial, negotiation and contract management capability

• Exceptional stakeholder engagement, influencing and relationship management skills

• The ability to translate organisational strategy into clear commercial priorities and action

• Strong business planning, performance measurement and reporting experience

• Experience with SAP ERP, Procure to Pay or Source to Contract environments

• Experience contributing to change, transformation or procurement maturity initiatives

• A relevant tertiary qualification, preferably in business, commerce, management or a related discipline

You will combine commercial acumen with pragmatic leadership and sound judgement, with the confidence to challenge constructively and influence at senior levels.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer

Few procurement environments offer the breadth, complexity and opportunity for impact available within Auckland Council.

You will operate across significant operations and technology portfolios, working on commercial challenges that directly support the services and infrastructure relied upon across Tāmaki Makaurau.

You will have the opportunity to shape procurement strategy, influence key supplier markets and strengthen commercial capability across the organisation, while leading and developing an experienced team.

You will also contribute to Auckland Council's broader commitments to Māori outcomes, social and sustainable procurement and climate action, ensuring our commercial decisions deliver value beyond the immediate procurement outcome.

Tono mai: Apply now
Close Date 26th of October
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