Strategic Procurement Specialist

He angitūtanga: The opportunity
Auckland Council’s Group Shared Services (GSS) is dedicated to delivering high-quality services that support Aucklanders every day.

We are seeking an experienced Strategic Procurement Specialist to join our Operations Procurement team. In this role, you will partner with business units across the organisation to develop and deliver strategic procurement initiatives, drive value for money outcomes, and contribute to sustainable and innovative procurement practices.

This is a highly collaborative and strategic role where you will work across a variety of spend categories, supporting the full procurement lifecycle from planning and sourcing through to supplier relationship and contract management.

He kōrero mōu: About you and the role
In this role, you will partner closely with internal stakeholders to plan and deliver strategic procurement initiatives across the full lifecycle, from early market engagement and sourcing through to negotiation, contract execution, and supplier performance management.

You will play a key role in shaping procurement outcomes by:

• Partnering with business units to drive early and effective procurement planning
• Developing and delivering procurement pipelines and category strategies
• Leading sourcing processes across indirects and core services delivered by Auckland Council / Group Shared Services
• Negotiating and drafting commercial contracts that balance value, risk, and outcomes
• Identifying market trends and bringing best-practice insights to stakeholders

You will bring a strong commercial mindset and a proven ability to influence outcomes through effective business partnering. Building trusted relationships across all levels of the organisation, you will help position procurement as a strategic enabler of value and performance.

We’re seeking a self-starter with curiosity, ownership, and a genuine drive to deliver outcomes. You bring an open mind and are confident challenging thinking constructively to achieve the best result.

Key to your success will be your ability to demonstrate:

• Proven experience leading sourcing processes across indirects and/or core service environments
• Experience in negotiating and drafting contracts
• Demonstrated stakeholder management and business advisory experience within a complex, multi-site organisation
• Strong analytical capability, with confidence working with data to undertake cost analysis, comparisons, and support commercial decision-making
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex ideas and engage diverse stakeholders
• A collaborative working style, with a focus on alignment and delivery
• A pragmatic and adaptable approach, comfortable navigating ambiguity and shifting priorities
• A strong problem-solving mindset, using insight and judgement to drive decisions
• A team-first attitude, contributing to a high-performing procurement function

You will also have:

• A tertiary qualification in Procurement, Business, or a related field
• Strong analytical ability and business planning capability
• Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder engagement skills
• An understanding of procurement trends, including sustainability and innovation

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every requirement listed. What matters most is your ability to contribute to a collaborative, purpose-driven environment where diverse experiences are valued. We know that transferable skills can come from experience gained outside of work.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer

At Auckland Council, you will join a dynamic, supportive environment where your mahi (work) will directly impact the lives of over 1.7 million Aucklanders.

We offer flexible working conditions, a focus on wellbeing, and a culture of continuous improvement.

We are proud to be recognised for our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We are accredited by GenderTick and are a signatory to the Pride Pledge, reflecting our ongoing efforts to create a workplace where all staff feel valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.

Together, we can create a Tāmaki Makaurau we can all be proud of.

Tono Mai: Apply Now
Application close date:Wednesday 22nd of April

Auckland Council is an equal opportunity employer. We serve the diverse communities of Tāmaki Makaurau and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We encourage applications from Rainbow communities, as well as disabled and neurodivergent people. If you require support or adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.