Intermediate Commercial Partnering Advisor

Join our team; Ngaruawahia; Hybrid; NZD 108,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free parking

Flexible working options

Annual performance and remuneration…

Subsidised health insurance

Birthday leave

Work-life balance day every six months

Employee wellbeing programme

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Waikato District Council is seeking an Intermediate Commercial Partnering Advisor to provide expert procurement, contract management and commercial advice across medium-complexity projects. You will work with leaders, project managers and operation teams to shape procurement strategies and governance frameworks.

The role focuses on delivering value, balancing cost and risk while supporting community outcomes, with a strong emphasis on stakeholder engagement and continuous improvement within a

Qualifications

• Five years’ experience in procurement, contract management or supplier management.
• Strong commercial acumen and analytical ability.
• Experience providing independent commercial advice to stakeholders.
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop procurement strategies and approaches for projects.
• Lead procurement processes from planning to contract award.
• Manage supplier relationships and monitor contract performance.
• Provide robust commercial analysis and recommendations.
• Support contract governance and risk management.
• Negotiate commercial outcomes and facilitate evaluations.
• Coach colleagues to build procurement and contract management capability.
• Drive continuous improvement across procurement and commercial practices.

Skills

Procurement

Contract management

Supplier management

Negotiation

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical skills

Education

Tertiary qualification in business, commerce, procurement, law, engineering, project management or related field

Job description

Shape better outcomes for our communities through smart commercial thinking.

This is an opportunity to work across a diverse portfolio of projects, contracts and procurement activities that directly support the services and facilities our communities rely on every day. You'll join a collaborative and forward-thinking team where your expertise will help drive value, manage risk, and build strong supplier relationships.

The opportunity

As our Intermediate Commercial Partnering Advisor, you'll provide expert commercial, procurement and contract management advice across a range of medium-complexity projects and contract portfolios.

What will I do?

Working closely with leaders, project managers and operational teams, you'll help shape procurement strategies, lead sourcing activities, establish strong contract governance frameworks, and support supplier performance. You'll identify opportunities to deliver greater value from Council's commercial arrangements while balancing cost, risk, service outcomes and long-term community benefits

• Developing commercial strategies and procurement approaches
• Leading procurement processes from planning through to contract award
• Managing supplier relationships and contract performance
• Providing robust commercial analysis and recommendations
• Supporting contract governance and risk management activities
• Negotiating commercial outcomes and facilitating evaluation processes
• Coaching and supporting colleagues to build procurement and contract management capability
• Driving continuous improvement across procurement and commercial practices.

What will I bring?

You’ll be a relationship-focused commercial professional who enjoys working collaboratively and influencing positive outcomes.

We’re looking for someone who has:

• At least five years’ experience in procurement, contract management, supplier management or a related commercial environment
• Strong commercial acumen and analytical skills
• Experience providing independent commercial advice to stakeholders
• Strong negotiation, communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• The ability to manage competing priorities and make sound decisions
• A relevant tertiary qualification in business, commerce, procurement, law, engineering, project management or a related field
• An understanding of public sector procurement principles (advantageous)

A commitment to working within a bicultural framework and supporting Te Tiriti o Waitangi outcomes

Why join our team?

There's never been a more exciting time to join Waikato District Council.

We’re progressing through a significant organisational transformation that is creating new opportunities, strengthening capability, and helping us deliver even better outcomes for our communities. You’ll be part of a team that values innovation, continuous improvement, partnership, and making a genuine difference.

• Meaningful work that contributes to the future of the Waikato district
• A supportive and collaborative team environment
• Opportunities to grow your commercial and procurement expertise The chance to influence strategic decisions and major programmes of work
< li>A workplace committed to wellbeing, inclusion, and continuous learning

Additional Information

Salary circa $120K dependent on skills and experience.

Waikato District Council offers a range of benefits to employees:

• Enjoy free parking.
• Make work, work for you with flexible working options.
• Benefit from annual performance and remuneration reviews.
• Access subsidised health insurance.
• Celebrate with a day of birthday leave.
• Receive a work-life balance day every six months after your first year.
• Access confidential support through our Employee Assistance Programme.
• Take advantage of our employee wellbeing programme.
• Receive free health checks, training and education at our annual Work Safe Home Safe event.
• Save with Boost discounts and special offers from New Zealand retailers and service providers.

Please note we will be screening applications as they come through.

We have a strong safety culture and as part of this our preferred candidates will be required to undergo pre-employment medical assessment which includes alcohol and drug testing.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in New Zealand.