Manager: Strategic Procurement

Tauranga City Council; Tauranga; On-site; NZD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government organization in Tauranga is seeking a Manager: Strategic Procurement to lead the Procurement team. You will influence procurement strategy, ensure compliance, and champion sustainability. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in senior commercial roles and a strong understanding of procurement systems. This position offers significant benefits including flexible hours and career development opportunities.

Benefits

5 weeks annual leave

Flexible hours

Work from home options

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in senior commercial or supply chain roles.
• Deep understanding of procurement systems and public sector frameworks.
• Experience leading high-performing teams, mentoring staff, and driving continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Influence procurement strategy and policy development.
• Ensure compliance while unlocking innovation and long-term value.
• Champion sustainability and bicultural competence in procurement practices.

Skills

Leadership

Commercial acumen

Stakeholder engagement

Procurement systems understanding

Strategic vision

Innovation & Sustainability

Education

Tertiary qualification in commerce, finance, management/business, law, engineering, or logistics

Job description

Overview

Are you a strategic advisor and manager with a knack for solving procurement challenges and driving public value? Tauranga City Council is looking for a commercially astute professional to run its Procurement team and help shape commercial and contract management across the organisation.

As our Manager: Strategic Procurement, you’ll play a pivotal role in guiding procurement and commercial decisions that support Council’s strategic objectives. While developing a team, your focus will also be on providing expert advice, navigating complexity, and enabling smart, sustainable outcomes.

You’ll work closely with internal stakeholders, suppliers and possibly government partners to:

• Influence procurement strategy and policy development
• Solve problems with agility and creativity
• Ensure compliance while unlocking innovation and long-term value
• Champion sustainability and bicultural competence in procurement practices

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working across diverse portfolios, and brings a flexible, solutions-oriented mindset to every challenge.

Ngā Pukenga | What you’ll need to succeed

We’re looking for someone with the leadership and commercial acumen, whose procurement and contract management experience span both public and private sectors.

• A tertiary qualification in a relevant field such as commerce, finance, management/business, law, engineering, or logistics.
• Extensive experience in senior commercial or supply chain roles.
• Deep understanding of procurement systems and public sector frameworks.
• Strategic vision: Ability to translate organisational goals into actionable commercial strategies.
• Commercial acumen: Proven success in delivering value-for-money outcomes, managing supplier risk, and negotiating high-impact contracts.
• Leadership excellence: Experience leading high-performing teams, mentoring staff, and driving continuous improvement.
• Stakeholder engagement: Skilled in building partnerships across diverse sectors, including iwi, government, and community.
• Innovation & Sustainability: Commitment to sustainable supply chain practices and bicultural engagement aligned with Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Tō Tātou Kaunihera | About Tauranga City Council

Tauranga City Council is one of Tauranga’s largest employers, and we are always looking to attract great talent to join our driven, passionate, and community-focused team.

We always strive to ensure that you feel valued and supported in the workplace.

To highlight that our people are our greatest asset, we offer a wide range of benefits that include 5 weeks annual leave, flexible hours and work from home options, as well as career development opportunities.

You can find out more about working at Tauranga City Council here.

Tō Tātou Kaunihera | How to apply

If you want to be part of an energetic, fun, and supportive team, then we'd love to hear from you. For more information, please contact Rob Field at [e-mail].

Please note we will not be accepting applications via email. If you wish to apply, please click ‘Apply’ at the bottom of this page and follow the link.

Applications will close 14th October.

We’re committed to building a diverse team that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those living with disabilities.

If you need any support or adjustments to take part in our recruitment process, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at [e-mail]

• You must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand to apply for this role.
• Tauranga City Council does not accept unsolicited contact or applications from recruitment agencies. We will not pay fees or commissions related to unsolicited contact.