Head of Procurement & Supply Chain Management, Pre-Contracts

Downer Group; Ryde; On-site; AUD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

Downer Group is seeking a Head of Procurement & Supply Chain Management, Pre-Contracts to lead the sourcing and contracting function for major bids and projects in Australia’s Energy & Utilities sector.

You will build and coach a high-performing pre-contracts team, shape procurement strategy for early-stage project delivery, and drive commercial outcomes with strong governance and stakeholder partnership.

Qualifications

• 15+ years’ project procurement experience within energy, infrastructure or resources.
• Proven success supporting major bids and tenders.
• Strong commercial capability and knowledge of Australian construction market and delivery models.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing pre-contracts procurement and subcontracting team across multiple projects and geographies.
• Partner with bid, commercial and project teams to develop competitive procurement strategies for major bids, tenders and project mobilisations.
• Lead strategic sourcing and subcontracting for high-value, complex and long lead-time packages, including international supply.
• Identify commercial value, supply chain efficiencies and innovative sourcing solutions with governance and risk management.
• Build strong supplier and subcontractor relationships and contribute to procurement strategy and continuous improvement.

Skills

Procurement leadership

Energy sector experience

Bid/tender support

Stakeholder management

Education

Tertiary or postgraduate qualifications in supply chain, law, commerce or related discipline

Job description

Head of Procurement & Supply Chain Management, Pre-Contracts

An exciting opportunity has presented itself for a Head of Procurement & Supply Chain Management, Pre-Contracts to join Downer’s Energy & Utilities division.

Australia’s energy sector is undergoing a once-in-a-generation transformation, with significant investment across transmission, substations, renewable energy, data centres and battery storage infrastructure.

Reporting to the General Manager, you’ll lead the sourcing and contracting function supporting major bids, tenders and project mobilisations across Energy & Utilities. You’ll lead and develop a high-performing pre-contracts procurement team, helping shape how procurement supports project delivery from the earliest stages.

As a member of the leadership team, you’ll influence strategy, build capability, strengthen stakeholder partnerships and drive continuous improvement across the function. This is a senior leadership opportunity to make a tangible impact on major infrastructure pursuits while driving strong commercial, procurement and supply chain outcomes.

What you’ll do

• Lead and develop a high-performing pre-contracts procurement and subcontracting team across multiple projects and geographies.
• Partner with bid, commercial and project teams to develop competitive procurement strategies for major bids, tenders and project mobilisations.
• Lead strategic sourcing and subcontracting for high-value, complex and long lead-time packages, including international supply.
• Identify commercial value, supply chain efficiencies and innovative sourcing solutions while maintaining strong governance and risk management.
• Build strong supplier and subcontractor relationships and contribute to procurement strategy, capability and continuous improvement across the broader PSCM function.

What we offer

• Competitive remuneration with a significant ASX-listed company.
• A senior leadership opportunity with exposure to major energy and infrastructure bids and projects across Australia.
• Structured career pathways and internal mobility opportunities across the Energy & Utilities business.
• A suite of health and wellbeing benefits and initiatives, including EAP support.
• Access to Perks@Downer, offering discounts across retail, travel, wellbeing and entertainment.
• The backing of a Tier 1 ASX-listed organisation with in-house capabilities that far exceed traditional contractor environments.

What we’re looking for

• 15+ years’ project procurement experience within energy, infrastructure or resources, ideally within a Tier 1 environment. Power industry experience is highly regarded.
• Demonstrated success supporting major bids and tenders and procuring high-value, complex or high-risk packages within capital project environments.
• Strong commercial capability and knowledge of the Australian construction market, contracting and delivery models including ECI, EPC, D&C, TOC and BOOT.
• A natural leader who can navigate complex stakeholder environments, build team capability and influence senior stakeholders across bid, commercial and project delivery functions.
• Tertiary or postgraduate qualifications in supply chain, law, commerce or a related discipline. Engineering qualifications and/or an MBA will also be highly regarded.

About Energy & Utilities

Downer's Energy & Utilities business unit is an integrated trans-Tasman team, providing services and solutions that connect communities to essential networks and infrastructure. We design, build, operate and maintain today's critical assets and networks, delivering complete services across the water, electricity, telecommunications, industrial and power generation sectors. Our expertise spans in-house technical smarts, specialist engineering, integrated OEM partners, and dedicated crews of qualified tradespeople.