Principal Procurement Specialist

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi; Auckland; On-site; NZD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is seeking a Principal Procurement Specialist to enable successful infrastructure delivery across Aotearoa. You will lead procurement activity across planning and sourcing phases, developing fit-for-purpose strategies and managing market engagement through tender evaluation to contract award.

You will provide expert commercial advice, strengthen supplier relationships, and ensure value-for-money outcomes on major capital projects and programmes within our

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading infrastructure procurement and sourcing.
• Knowledge of procurement models incl. alliances, ECI, open market.
• Experience developing procurement strategies balancing risk and value.
• Proven capability in complex commercial negotiations.
• Understanding of contract management, risk, probity and governance.
• Strong stakeholder engagement with senior leaders and partners.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Relevant tertiary or professional qualification.

Responsibilities

• Lead procurement activity across planning and sourcing phases of the lifecycle.
• Develop fit-for-purpose sourcing strategies in partnership with project teams.
• Manage market engagement, tender evaluation through to contract award and negotiation.
• Strengthen market confidence and supplier relationships to support delivery of projects.

Skills

Infrastructure procurement leadership

Open market approaches/alliances

Procurement strategy development

Commercial negotiations

Contract management & governance

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Commercial acumen & judgment

Education

Relevant tertiary or professional qualification

Professional body membership desirable

Job description

• Lead complex infrastructure procurement that helps shape New Zealand's transport future
• Apply strategic commercial expertise to deliver value-for-money outcomes across major capital projects and programmes
• Join a high-performing commercial team at the heart of NZTA's infrastructure delivery programme
• Permanent opportunity located in either Wellington, Auckland or Christchurch

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

As a Principal Procurement Specialist, you'll play a critical role in enabling successful infrastructure delivery across Aotearoa. Working within our Commercial Delivery team, you'll provide expert procurement and commercial advice across complex projects and programmes, helping ensure procurement approaches support delivery confidence, value for money and strong project outcomes.

You'll lead and support procurement activity across the planning and sourcing phases of the procurement lifecycle, partnering closely with project teams, business sponsors and commercial stakeholders to develop fit-for-purpose sourcing strategies and commercial solutions. From market engagement and tender evaluation through to contract award and negotiation, you'll help drive commercially sound decisions that support both immediate project objectives and long-term sector outcomes.

You'll also contribute to strengthening market confidence and supplier relationships, using procurement expertise and market intelligence to help shape sourcing strategies, manage risk and support successful delivery of infrastructure projects across the transport network.

You will find out more about the role here: Position Description.

Ō Pūmanawa | What we're looking for

• Significant experience leading and managing infrastructure procurement and sourcing activities.
• Strong knowledge of infrastructure procurement and delivery models, including open market approaches, alliances, ECI, direct negotiations and other market engagement methods.
• Experience developing procurement strategies that balance risk, market capacity, delivery requirements and value for money considerations.
• Proven capability supporting complex commercial negotiations and delivering commercially robust outcomes.
• Strong understanding of contract management principles, commercial risk, probity and governance requirements.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to influence, advise and build trusted relationships with senior leaders, project teams and external partners.
• Strong commercial acumen and sound judgement when navigating complex procurement decisions.
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills.
• A relevant tertiary or professional qualification.
• Membership of a relevant professional body is desirable.
• Knowledge of, or willingness to develop understanding of, Te Ao Māori, Te Reo Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi in a public sector context.

Mō mātou | About Us

At NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA), we're responsible for an integrated transport system that helps people move safely and efficiently around New Zealand. Our purpose is transport networks that deliver for people, places and New Zealand. Within Infrastructure Development and Delivery (IDD), our Commercial Delivery team provides project end to end delivery confidence and Value for Money through excellence in procurement, commercial advisory and supplier intelligence, maximising benefits realisation across NZTA's capital programme.

He aha te take e uru ai koe ki a mātou? | So, why join us?

Our people are proud to be part of creating a better New Zealand. We're searching for candidates who share our passion for people, communities, and the environment and who are ready to contribute their unique skills to shape a better future.

At NZTA, you'll be part of an organisation where the different backgrounds, perspectives and life experiences of our people are celebrated. We want you to feel like you belong here - valued, respected, and empowered to bring your whole self to work.

From five weeks annual leave through to Life, Income Protection and Critical Illness Insurance for our permanent employees, you will be well looked after here. Our benefits are designed to support our people and provide a happy, healthy and high-performing environment.

Rā Katinga | Applications close:

21 October 2026

For further information, email: [e-mail]

To be considered for this position you must have a legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

Waka Kotahi is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion and are committed to providing a working environment that embraces these values. Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.

Please note that we may begin shortlisting as we receive applications. We encourage early applications as we may withdraw the advertising at any time.