Director of Procurement

Department of Corrections NZ; Wellington; On-site; NZD 212,000 - 299,000; Full time

Job summary

Ara Poutama Aotearoa — Department of Corrections NZ is seeking an experienced Director Procurement to lead the procurement function for a major public sector agency. You will join the Strategy & Corporate senior leadership team, shaping strategy, governance, and high-stakes commercial decisions to support frontline services.

You will build capable teams, balance value and risk, engage iwi and government partners, and drive outcomes consistent with Hŋkai Rangi.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading procurement or commercial functions within a large, complex organisation.
• Strong governance, probity, and compliance in high-value procurement.
• Deep knowledge of NZ Government Procurement Rules and public sector regulations.
• Ability to influence senior leaders, agencies, suppliers, iwi and sector partners.
• Experience applying Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles in decision-making with iwi and Māori providers.
• Track record of building capability and creating a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead procurement strategy, commissioning, market engagement, category and contract management.
• Oversee procurement delivery to ensure value for money and risk management.
• Strengthen supplier relationships and partnerships with iwi providers and government agencies.
• Support the delivery of Hŋkai Rangi through effective commissioning approaches.
• Provide trusted commercial advice to the Strategy & Corporate SLT.

Skills

Strategic procurement

Negotiation

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Public sector procurement

Risk management

Job description

• Shape strategic procurement for one of NZ's largest public agencies
• Drive complex commercial negotiations and strategic supplier partnerships
• Lead procurement that supports better outcomes for New Zealanders

Ara Poutama Aotearoa is looking for an experienced procurement leader to join our Strategy & Corporate senior leadership team.

Mō te ššŌ — About the role

Procurement at Ara Poutama Aotearoa plays a critical role in enabling frontline services and supporting better outcomes for the people, whānau and communities we serve. As Director Procurement, you will lead the procurement function for one of New Zealand's largest public sector organisations. Joining the Strategy & Corporate senior leadership team, you will influence significant commercial decisions, strengthen partnerships with suppliers, including iwi-affiliated providers, and government agencies, and help deliver the outcomes of Hŋkai Rangi through effective procurement and commissioning practices.

You will lead a team responsible for procurement strategy, commissioning, market engagement, category and contract management, and complex procurement delivery. Through your leadership, you will help ensure the Department makes sound commercial decisions, delivers value for money, manages risk effectively, and maintains strong supplier and sector relationships.

A key aspect of the role is supporting the delivery of Hŋkai Rangi by enabling effective commissioning approaches, which could include with iwi and Māori providers, and building a procurement function that contributes to positive long-term outcomes.

You are a strategic and influential leader of leaders with significant experience leading procurement or commercial functions within a large, complex organisation. You are known for providing trusted commercial advice, leading complex procurement activity, and developing capable teams that deliver high-quality outcomes in challenging environments. You will have highly developed commercial acumen, with the ability to balance value, risk, service delivery outcomes, and long-term strategic objectives, alongside a proven ability to negotiate complex commercial arrangements and influence successful outcomes with suppliers, partners, and senior stakeholders.

You will also understand the unique responsibility that comes with public sector procurement and be motivated by the opportunity to influence better outcomes for New Zealanders through the decisions you make.

To be successful in this role you will bring and demonstrate:

• Demonstrated success developing and implementing procurement strategies that deliver value for money, support organisational priorities, and contribute to broader public sector outcomes.
• Proven experience leading significant, high-risk or high-value procurement activities while ensuring strong governance, probity, and compliance.
• Strong understanding of New Zealand Government Procurement Rules and public sector legislative, accountability, and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to build trusted relationships and influence senior leaders, government agencies, suppliers, iwi, and sector partners to achieve shared outcomes.
• Experience applying Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles in decision-making and working in partnership with iwi, Māori organisations, and communities.
• Successful track record of leading through leaders, building organisational capability, and creating a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Experience working within the public sector is preferred; however, candidates from large commercial or vendor organisations who have partnered extensively with government and understand public sector procurement expectations will also be considered.

The midpoint of the salary range is $249,312 per annum and the full range (85%-120%) is $211,916 - $299,175 per annum. Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role.

Join Ara Poutama Aotearoa - Department of Corrections, where your work will contribute to improving public safety, reducing re-offending, and address the overrepresentation of Māori in correctional facilities. As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), and whānau (relationships) to guide our work and achieve the goals of our Hŋkai Rangi strategy.

We value inclusion and diversity in our workforce, and as a Public Service organisation we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the public we serve. We strive to make our recruitment process fair, and we encourage you to discuss reasonable accommodations with us if required.

If you have any questions or want to learn more about a career with us, contact [e-mail], or visit careers.corrections.govt.nz.

We are not accepting applications via recruitment agencies for this role. Unsolicited CVs submitted by agencies will not be accepted and no agency fees will apply.