Procurement Manager

Custom Bus Australia; Sydney; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Fully electric bus manufacturer

Full-time permanent position

Sydney-based facility

Job summary

Custom Denning, a leading Australian transport manufacturer in Sydney, seeks an experienced Procurement Manager to lead a team and own end-to-end procurement across local and international supply chains.

You will drive supplier relationships, BOM-driven sourcing, and contract negotiations to ensure cost-effective, compliant production of next-generation zero-emission buses.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in procurement or supply chain within manufacturing or engineering.
• Strong leadership and people-management experience.
• Experience managing international procurement and supply chains.
• Proven ability to negotiate major commercial contracts.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of procurement professionals.
• Own procurement strategy across a production line with thousands of items.
• Collaborate with engineering and production on BOM alignment and supplier qualification.
• Oversee long-lead and critical components to protect production schedules.
• Manage end-to-end procurement with local and international suppliers.
• Drive cost reduction initiatives and negotiate major commercial contracts.
• Own monthly procurement reporting and performance metrics for senior leadership.
• Lead ESG, modern slavery, and local content reporting in procurement.

Skills

People leadership

Supplier management

Strategic sourcing

Contract negotiation

ERP/MRP (Dynamics 365)

BOM-driven procurement

Stakeholder management

International procurement

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics 365

Job description

At Custom Denning, we’re a proudly Australian manufacturer and at the forefront of designing, manufacturing, and supporting next‑generation transport solutions such as zero‑emissions electric buses.

As public transport transitions to cleaner technologies, Custom Denning plays a critical role in delivering compliant, high‑performance vehicles that meet stringent regulatory, safety and contractual requirements. Join a respected manufacturer where contract discipline, accountability and delivery excellence truly matter.

We’re now seeking an experienced Procurement Manager to lead our procurement function, managing a team of three and taking ownership of strategic sourcing, supplier management, and end‑to‑end procurement performance across local and international supply chains.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to Chief Operating Officer, the Procurement Manager will lead a team of 4 procurement professionals and take full ownership of procurement strategy, supplier relationships, and category performance across vehicle components and raw materials. You will work closely with engineering, production, quality, and finance leadership to ensure cost‑effective, compliant, and reliable supply that supports on‑time bus production, while building the capability and performance of your team.

This role suits a commercially astute procurement leader with strong people management experience and a background in manufacturing, automotive, rolling stock, or heavy engineering.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 4 procurement officers, setting priorities, managing performance, and building team capability

Own procurement strategy across a production line with over 7,000 individual items, ensuring on‑time supply to avoid production delays

Partner with engineering and production leadership on BOM alignment, technical sourcing strategy, and supplier qualification

Oversee management of long‑lead and critical components to protect production schedules

Lead end‑to‑end procurement activities across local and international suppliers, with particular oversight of overseas/international supply chains

Drive strategic cost reduction initiatives and lead negotiation of major commercial contracts and outcomes

Identify, manage, and escal... (text continued) ... procurement and supply chain risks, particularly within international sourcing

Own monthly procurement reporting, insights, and performance metrics for senior leadership

Monitor procurement schedules across the team, proactively resolving escalations and supply issues

Lead ESG, modern slavery, and local content reporting requirements across the procurement function

ABOUT YOU

You are a confident, hands‑on procurement leader who understands the realities of manufacturing environments and complex, international supply chains, and who is equally comfortable managing people as managing suppliers.

8+ years' experience in procurement or supply chain roles within manufacturing or engineering, including demonstrated people leadership/team management experience

Proven experience managing international/overseas procurement and supply chains

Strong track record negotiating major commercial contracts and managing key supplier relationships

Proven ability to lead cross‑functionally with engineering, production, and quality teams

Sound understanding of BOM‑driven procurement and change control

Strong leadership, analytical, commercial, and stakeholder management skills

Highly desirable:

Experience in bus, truck, automotive, rail, or defence manufacturing

ERP/MRP experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365

WHAT WE OFFER

Competitive salary package, reviewed annually

A rare opportunity to join Australia's only local, fully electric bus manufacturer

Stable, full‑time permanent position within a growing, future‑focused business

A supportive, down‑to‑earth team culture underpinned by a strong safety focus

Hands‑on exposure to cutting‑edge electric vehicle manufacturing technology

A modern, purpose‑built production facility based in Sydney

The chance to shape and mature the safety and quality framework of a growing Australian manufacturer

Direct access to senior leadership, with real scope to influence business outcomes

At Custom Denning, we are deeply committed to Reconciliation and encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to apply.