Head of Strategic Procurement at University of Auckland, New Zealand

• Campus: Auckland City Campus

Job Description

The University of Auckland | Waipapa Taumata Rau

The University of Auckland is Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading university and 68th in the QS World University Rankings 2024. Employing over 9,000 staff supporting over 46,000 students, we are one of NZ’s largest and most diverse employers. The university is a comprehensive research-intensive institution with 8 academic faculties and 11 service divisions creating an evolving and dynamic organisational culture that values excellence, respect and commitment to service.

The opportunity | Te Whiwhinga mahi

We are seeking an inspirational Head of Strategic Procurement to guide our long-term strategy and deliver value for the university and the communities that it serves through ethical and sustainable sourcing.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a senior leader to make a lasting impact at the university by building on our already robust processes whilst supporting our established and respected team to deliver the strategic goals of the institution including sustainability and ethical practices.

You will be responsible for:

Strategic Leadership: Provide leadership, governance, and direction to deliver key university priorities through procurement policy and practices and develop and maintain procurement strategy, risk management, and functional maturity.

Strategic Communication: Proactively engage and partner with senior leaders and stakeholders to align expectations and priorities to support the University’s strategic direction and establish performance metrics that align with these objectives.

Service Excellence and Cost Optimisation: Lead the procurement function with a strong focus on delivering exceptional service and value to faculties and service divisions and ensure significant and sustainable cost, vendor, and category management is achieved.

Team Development: Attract and retain a high-performing team through effective recruitment, development, succession planning, and performance management with a unified one-team approach.

Cultural Transformation: Lead a progressive procurement philosophy that promotes collaboration, engagement, and sustainability with the goal of promoting university-wide adoption and support for procurement initiatives.

For more detailed information, please refer to the Position Description.

About the team | Mō tō mātou rōpū

Operationally, you will be responsible for a headcount of roughly eleven staff members and report directly to the CFO. You will manage people leaders and be responsible for the development and culture of your team going forward.

Our Strategic Procurement team sits within OneFinance and promotes leading procurement practices to all University stakeholders and supports the University’s strategic direction through effective management of commercial risk and mobilising third-party vendors/suppliers.

We focus on maximising value for money and minimising commercial risks while being an ethical and responsible member of the New Zealand community.

About you | He kōrero mōu

We are seeking an established and confident leader with the vision to shape and guide the procurement function over the next ten-year strategic horizon, while integrating leading practices with our strategic and sustainability plans.

To succeed in the role, you will need a depth of knowledge gained through approximately 10+ years’ of experience in sourcing, procurement operations, procurement consulting, business operations or stakeholder engagement/relationship management.

It’s important that you can demonstrate your experience of leading and implementing a procurement strategy and performance as an inspirational senior leader. You will also need to be able to reference your experience of connecting at a senior level with leaders as well as advocating and communicating our services and value across a variety of levels in a large organisation.

We are seeking | E rapua ana mātou

• Demonstrated ability to significantly contribute to the development, execution, and delivery of a forward-thinking strategic business model aimed at achieving industry best practices.
• Proven track record in aligning procurement strategies with the overarching organisational goals.
• Proficient in fostering a culture of collaboration and synergy across siloed divisions and shared service units.
• Demonstrated skill in effectively managing and nurturing high-performing teams while supporting individual career and personal development.
• Strong aptitude for building and managing relationships, highlighted by the ability to lead through influence and gain support and buy-in from peers and managers.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including the capacity to simplify complex ideas and data for diverse audiences.

What we offer | Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou

We offer you more than just a job. We offer you the opportunity to be part of a dynamic, world-class educational institution.

We proudly provide an environment that enables your natural abilities and rewards hard work. We provide benefits and support throughout your career that allow you to develop and grow.

We are committed to providing a supportive working environment through:

• A 37.5-hour work week.
• Up to 6.75% company superannuation scheme
• A competitive salary with five weeks of annual leave. With the option to buy and sell additional leave.
• Flexible employment practices. Including partial working from home and adaptive working hours.
• A generous and inclusive parental leave policy.

In addition, we offer career development programmes, discounted car parking, on-site childcare options, leisure and recreation facilities, and a number of other discounted products and services. 

For more information, please visit Staff Benefits.

Hear more about making Worlds of Difference in your career at the University, our partnership with Māori, our Te Ao Māori principles, our impact, our staff and life in Auckland on our careers website

How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono

Applications must be submitted online by the closing date of Sunday, the 3rd of December to be considered. We will review CVs whilst the advert is open, so you may be contacted for an interview before the advert closes.

Please include a short Cover Letter and your CV highlighting why you are interested in joining us and how you can meet the requirements of our vacancy.

You can reach out to Neil Constable (Senior Recruitment Advisor) via neil.constable@auckland.ac.nz for a confidential conversation.

Additional Information

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment.  For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz

The University is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment where everyone can thrive. For further information see Te Ara Tautika | the Equity Policy and visit www.equity.auckland.ac.nz