Head of Procurement

Talesca; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Talesca in Melbourne seeks a Head of Procurement – Australia to shape the function for a growing renewable energy portfolio. Lead major negotiations, define procurement strategy and partner with executive leadership to underpin capital projects and long-term asset value.

You will drive cross‑functional governance, supplier management and risk mitigation, with a focus on scalable, commercially robust processes across wind, solar and storage assets.

Qualifications

• Extensive senior-level procurement experience in renewable energy, power generation, infrastructure or related sectors.
• Proven ability to lead complex, high-value procurement processes and negotiate major contracts.
• Strong commercial judgement and experience with project financing and capital decisions.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across procurement and contracting for large-scale energy projects.
• Lead high-value equipment, EPC and balance‑of‑plant procurement and contract negotiations.
• Develop procurement and contracting strategies aligned with long‑term growth and investment feasibility.
• Establish and mature the Australian procurement operating model, with governance and supplier management.
• Drive lifecycle procurement strategies including O&M, warranties and asset performance.
• Strengthen supplier relationships and manage procurement risk in a dynamic market.
• Collaborate with executive leadership and international teams to deliver aligned outcomes.

Skills

Strategic procurement leadership

Major contract negotiations

Commercial & investment strategy

Lifecycle asset value management

Stakeholder influence

Leadership capability

Job description

Melbourne | Executive Leadership Opportunity | Renewable Energy & Infrastructure

Shape procurement strategy for a growing renewable energy platform. Lead major commercial negotiations. Build a function that will help define the future of Australia's energy infrastructure.

The Opportunity

Talesca has been exclusively engaged to appoint a Head of Procurement – Australia for a well-capitalised, internationally backed renewable energy business entering an exciting phase of growth and transformation.

With an expanding portfolio of utility-scale wind, solar and battery energy storage projects, our client is strengthening its position in the Australian energy market, with a strategic focus on developing, constructing and owning renewable energy assets for the long term.

This evolution creates an exceptional opportunity for an accomplished procurement executive to take ownership of the Australian procurement function, influence major investment decisions and lead the commercial strategies underpinning a substantial pipeline of energy infrastructure projects.

Reporting directly to the Australian Chief Operating Officer and collaborating closely with international procurement leadership, this is a highly visible position with genuine strategic influence.

This is more than a procurement leadership role. It is an opportunity to build a function, shape major commercial outcomes and establish the procurement foundations of a growing energy business.

The Role

As Head of Procurement, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across the procurement and contracting lifecycle, ensuring the successful delivery of complex renewable energy projects while establishing a scalable, commercially focused procurement function.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Strategic Procurement Leadership: Develop and execute procurement and contracting strategies across utility-scale wind, solar, BESS and hybrid energy projects, aligning commercial outcomes with the organisation's long-term growth objectives.
• Major Contract Negotiations: Personally lead high-value equipment, EPC, balance-of-plant and grid connection procurement, negotiating commercially robust agreements that optimise value, manage risk and support project financing.
• Commercial & Investment Strategy: Provide critical procurement intelligence, CAPEX benchmarking, cost modelling and contracting advice to inform project feasibility, investment decisions and financial close.
• Procurement Function Development: Establish and mature the Australian procurement operating model, including governance frameworks, policies, systems, supplier management processes and team capability.
• Lifecycle Asset Value: Drive procurement strategies that extend beyond construction, incorporating long-term service agreements, operations and maintenance, warranties and asset performance considerations.
• Supply Chain & Risk Management: Develop strategic supplier relationships, identify emerging supply chain risks and strengthen procurement resilience across a rapidly evolving energy market.
• Executive & Global Collaboration: Partner with Australian executive leadership, international procurement teams and multidisciplinary project stakeholders to deliver commercially aligned outcomes.

About You

We are seeking a commercially astute, strategically minded procurement leader who combines deep technical and contractual expertise with the confidence, judgement and ambition to build and lead a high-performing function.

You will bring:

• Extensive senior-level procurement, commercial or contracts experience within Australia's renewable energy, power generation, transmission or major infrastructure sectors.
• A demonstrated track record of leading complex, high-value procurement processes and negotiating major equipment, EPC or construction contracts.
• Strong commercial understanding of utility-scale renewable energy project delivery, contractual risk allocation and the requirements associated with project financing.
• Experience establishing, transforming or scaling procurement functions, ideally within a growing or evolving organisation.
• The ability to influence executive stakeholders, navigate complex international business structures and operate effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• A strategic mindset balanced with a hands‑on approach to critical negotiations and commercial decision‑making.
• Strong leadership capability, commercial judgement and the ability to drive outcomes in a fast‑paced, high‑growth environment.

Experience working within an Independent Power Producer, renewable energy developer, asset owner or major energy infrastructure organisation will be highly regarded.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

A genuine opportunity to build and lead. Take ownership of a critical business function with the autonomy to influence its strategy, structure, capability and long‑term direction.

Significant commercial influence. Leading procurement and contracting strategies for major renewable energy investments, with direct involvement in decisions that shape project delivery and long‑term asset performance.

Executive visibility and international exposure. Work directly with senior Australian leadership while leveraging the expertise, relationships and resources of an established international business.

A business entering a defining growth phase. Join an organisation with an ambitious Australian development pipeline and the backing to pursue significant long‑term opportunities.

A lasting impact on Australia's energy transition. Play a central role in delivering the infrastructure that will support Australia's future energy needs.

Kevin Warner

All applications and enquiries will be managed in the strictest confidence.