Procurement Advisor

First Nations Jobs; Sunshine Coast Regional; Hybrid; AUD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Perks@Downer discounts

Internal mobility program

Career development THRIVE/EmpowHER

EAP and wellbeing initiatives

Job summary

Downer Energy & Utilities Water Services is seeking an experienced Procurement Advisor to support the Unitywater Program and other water infrastructure projects across Southeast Queensland.

The role involves developing and implementing procurement strategies, leading end-to-end activities from market engagement and tendering through to contract award, and collaborating with project teams to drive value and compliance.

Qualifications

• Experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, category management, or supply chain within construction, utilities, infrastructure, or project environments.
• Proven ability to develop and implement procurement strategies and end-to-end sourcing activities with governance.
• Strong commercial acumen to assess opportunities and mitigate procurement risks.
• Ability to prepare procurement documentation, tender evaluations, and award submissions per governance.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills across project teams, suppliers, and customers.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills balancing cost, risk, quality, and delivery.
• Experience within procurement governance frameworks and approvals processes.
• Experience procuring construction/engineering/infrastructure services in project-based settings.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute procurement and sourcing strategies for subcontractor and supplier packages.
• Manage end-to-end procurement processes from market engagement to contract award.
• Lead commercial evaluations and negotiations to achieve best-value outcomes.
• Provide procurement and governance advice to project and operational teams.
• Identify, assess and mitigate procurement and supply chain risks.
• Build strong relationships with suppliers, subcontractors, customers and internal stakeholders.
• Analyze procurement data and market trends to identify continuous improvement opportunities.
• Ensure procurement activities comply with governance and Downer policies.

Skills

Procurement

Strategic sourcing

Category management

Stakeholder engagement

Negotiation

Contract management

Governance/compliance

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Procurement / Supply Chain

CIPS/MCIPS accreditation

Job description

The Opportunity

Downer's Energy & Utilities Water Services business is seeking an experienced Procurement Advisor to support the delivery of the Unitywater Program and other key water infrastructure projects across Southeast Queensland.

Reporting to the Senior Procurement Advisor, this role is responsible for developing and implementing procurement and sourcing strategies, leading end-to-end procurement activities from market engagement and tendering through to contract award. Working closely with Project Managers, Commercial Managers, Delivery teams, and key stakeholders, you will deliver value-driven procurement outcomes that support project objectives, manage commercial risk, and ensure compliance with governance requirements.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a collaborative program environment where strong relationships, innovation, and commercial excellence drive project success. The role operates within a hybrid working model, with a minimum of three days per week spent in the office or on-site alongside the program team.

What You'll Do

• Develop and execute procurement and sourcing strategies for subcontractor and supplier packages across major water infrastructure projects.
• Manage end-to-end procurement processes, including market analysis, expression of interest (EOI), request for quotation/tender (RFQ/RFT), evaluation, negotiation, recommendation, and contract award.
• Lead commercial evaluations and negotiations to achieve best-value outcomes while balancing cost, risk, quality, and delivery requirements.
• Provide procurement and governance advice to project and operational teams throughout the sourcing and procurement lifecycle.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate procurement and supply chain risks to support successful project delivery.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, subcontractors, customers, and internal stakeholders to foster collaboration and performance.
• Analyse procurement data and market trends to identify opportunities for continuous improvement, innovation, and value creation.
• Ensure procurement activities are conducted in accordance with Downer's procurement policies, procedures, delegations of authority, and governance requirements.

What We Offer

At Downer, we invest in our people and provide meaningful opportunities to build rewarding careers.

You'll enjoy:

• Exposure to major water infrastructure programs delivering critical community outcomes.
• Career development opportunities through structured leadership and capability programs including THRIVE and EmpowHER.
• Access to Perks@Downer, offering discounts across travel, retail, health, wellbeing, and financial services.
• A dedicated internal mobility and career pathways program that actively supports progression across the Downer Group.
• The opportunity to work within a Tier 1 ASX-listed organisation with extensive in-house technical, engineering, commercial, and project delivery expertise.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and a strong commitment to wellbeing, inclusion, and Zero Harm.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for a commercially minded procurement professional who thrives in a collaborative project environment and enjoys building strong stakeholder relationships.

You will bring:

• Demonstrated experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, category management, or supply chain roles within construction, utilities, infrastructure, engineering, or project-based environments.
• Proven experience developing and implementing procurement strategies and managing end-to-end sourcing activities, including market engagement, tendering, evaluation, negotiations, and contract award.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to assess market opportunities, identify and mitigate procurement risks, and deliver value-driven outcomes aligned with project objectives.
• Experience preparing procurement documentation, tender evaluation reports, commercial recommendations, and award submissions in accordance with governance requirements.
• Well-developed stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across project teams, suppliers, subcontractors, and customers.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to balance cost, risk, quality, and delivery considerations in procurement decision-making.
• Experience working within procurement governance frameworks and ensuring compliance with organisational policies, delegations, and approval processes.
• Experience procuring construction, engineering, utilities, or infrastructure services within a project-based environment.
• Tertiary qualifications in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Commerce, Business, Law, Engineering, or a related discipline (preferred).
• Professional procurement accreditation (such as CIPS, MCIPS, or equivalent) will 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.

Downer Group is an employer that acknowledges and embraces the importance of our people's diverse experiences, talents, and cultures. As an inclusive employer, we welcome applications from everyone.