Procurement Specialist

Procurement Specialist – Operations & Technology Procurement

At Auckland Council, our Group Shared Services (GSS) team enables the services that help Auckland thrive. Behind every park, library, technology platform, community facility, and essential service is a procurement team working to deliver the best outcomes for Aucklanders.

The Opportunity

We're looking for an experienced Procurement Specialist to join our Operations & Technology Procurement team.

This is an exciting opportunity to work across a diverse portfolio of indirect and operational services, partnering with business units to deliver strategic procurement initiatives that achieve value for money, manage risk, and create sustainable outcomes for Auckland Council.

You'll work alongside experienced category leads in the team and play an important role in delivering procurement solutions that support some of Council's most critical services.

About the Role

As a Procurement Specialist, you'll partner closely with business stakeholders and Category Leads to plan and deliver procurement activities across the full procurement lifecycle—from early market engagement and sourcing through to contract negotiation, execution, and supplier performance management.

• Partner with business units to support early procurement planning and strategy development.
• Lead end-to-end sourcing activities across a diverse range of indirect and operational service categories.
• Develop procurement documentation, evaluate supplier responses, and manage competitive sourcing processes.
• Negotiate and draft commercial agreements that balance value, risk, and service outcomes.
• Provide commercial advice and market insights to support informed decision-making.
• Support contract implementation and supplier relationship management to maximise long-term value.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen procurement capability across the organisation.

About You

You are a commercially minded procurement professional who enjoys partnering with stakeholders to solve complex business challenges. You build trusted relationships, communicate with confidence, and bring a practical approach to delivering successful procurement outcomes.

You're curious, proactive, and comfortable challenging thinking constructively to achieve better results. Most importantly, you're someone who enjoys working collaboratively and contributing to a high-performing team.

• Proven experience leading end-to-end sourcing activities within indirect and/or operational service categories.
• Experience negotiating commercial contracts and managing commercial risk.
• Strong stakeholder management and business partnering skills within a complex organisation.
• Analytical capability, including cost analysis, commercial evaluation, and data-driven decision making.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• A collaborative and customer-focused approach with the ability to influence outcomes.
• Strong problem-solving skills and adaptability.
• A proactive mindset with a commitment to continuous improvement and team success.

What You'll Bring

• A tertiary qualification in Procurement, Business, Commerce, Law, or a related discipline.
• Experience in strategic sourcing, commercial negotiations, and contract management.
• An understanding of contemporary procurement practices, including sustainable procurement and supplier innovation.
• Strong commercial acumen and the ability to balance value, risk, and service outcomes.

Why Join Us?

At Auckland Council, procurement is more than buying goods and services—it's about delivering better outcomes for Auckland. You'll have the opportunity to work on meaningful procurement projects that support essential public services while developing your career within one of New Zealand's largest and most diverse procurement functions.

We value different perspectives and encourage applications from people with a range of backgrounds and experiences. If you don't meet every requirement but believe you have the skills and potential to succeed, we'd love to hear from you. Transferable skills gained through work, study, volunteering, or life experience are welcomed and valued.