Principal Procurement Specialist - Wellington

Kumara Vine; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 120,000 - 146,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KiwiSaver

Job summary

Kumara Vine in Wellington seeks a Principal Procurement Specialist to lead high-value, complex procurement across corporate, digital and school portfolios. You will influence outcomes across a large public sector environment and advise senior stakeholders.

This full-time role offers scope to shape procurement strategy, guide end-to-end processes from planning to contract award, mentor staff, and drive continuous improvement while aligning with Government Procurement Rules.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading complex, high-value procurement and tender processes.
• Strong knowledge of Government Procurement Rules and public sector best practice.
• Exceptional stakeholder management with credibility across diverse groups.
• Commercial acumen and negotiation skills delivering value while managing risk.
• Ability to analyse information and provide evidence-based advice.
• Experience in large or complex organisations with shifting priorities.
• Collaborative leadership with coaching, mentoring and development mindset.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; simplify complex concepts.
• Strategic thinking with strong execution from planning to delivery.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and smarter ways of working.
• CIPS membership or progression toward it; experience with public sector environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead procurement across corporate, digital and school portfolios and related tender processes.
• Provide expert advice and shape procurement strategies.
• Guide end-to-end procurement activity from planning and market engagement through to contract award.
• Mentor procurement specialists and build a culture of collaboration, quality and excellence.
• Influence decisions at all levels to deliver commercially sound outcomes.

Skills

Procurement leadership

Public sector procurement

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Analytical thinking

Strategic thinking

People leadership

Communication

Continuous improvement

CIPS membership

Risk management

Job description

We work to shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes

Our organisation is made up of talented and committed people around Aotearoa, from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. While we work in different groups and on different things, we all strive every day to make the biggest difference we can for our students in our education system.

This is a full-time permanent position that is preferable to be based in Wellington due to the nature of the work and proximity to our stakeholders. We will consider applications from outside the region for the right candidate.

This is a strategic procurement role with real influence across one of New Zealand's largest and most complex public sector environments. As Principal Procurement Specialist, you'll lead high-value and complex procurement initiatives across corporate, digital and school buying portfolios, helping ensure the Ministry secures outstanding outcomes that support education across Aotearoa.

Working closely with senior stakeholders, you'll provide expert advice, shape procurement strategies, and guide end-to-end procurement activity from planning and market engagement through to contract negotiation and award. You'll be a trusted advisor, bringing commercial expertise, sound judgement, and a continuous improvement mindset to strengthen procurement capability and practice across the organisation.

Just as importantly, you'll play a leadership role within the team, mentoring procurement specialists, sharing specialist knowledge, and helping build a culture of collaboration, quality and excellence.

Salary range: $120,171 - $145,560 per annum + KiwiSaver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.

You're an experienced procurement professional who thrives on tackling complex challenges, building trusted relationships, and delivering commercially sound outcomes. You combine deep procurement expertise with strong strategic thinking and the confidence to influence decisions at all levels.

You’ll offer:

• Proven experience leading complex, high-value procurement and tender processes.
• Strong knowledge of Government Procurement Rules and public sector procurement best practice.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build credibility and influence across diverse groups.
• Commercial acumen and strong negotiation skills that deliver value while managing risk.
• The ability to analyse information, identify opportunities and provide practical, evidence-based advice.
• Experience working within large or complex organisations where priorities can shift quickly.
• A collaborative leadership style, with a passion for coaching, mentoring and developing others.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to simplify complex concepts.
• Strategic thinking combined with strong execution skills, enabling you to move confidently from planning through to delivery.
• A commitment to continuous improvement and finding smarter ways of working.
• CIPS membership (or progress towards it) and experience navigating public sector or politically aware environments will be highly regarded.

Join a collaborative and values-driven environment that invests in people and leadership development. You'll have the opportunity to lead a highly capable team delivering meaningful procurement outcomes and influence strategic decisions across a large and complex organisation. In so doing, you'll shape procurement practices that support better outcomes for learners across Aotearoa.

Te Pou Rangatōpū has two key roles which operate together:

• keeping the Ministry safe by delivering essential Ministry-wide statutory and corporate functions and
• delivering improvements to how the Ministry works, so we can achieve our priorities and support the Ministry to deliver the current Government's priorities.

The Procurement division holds the strategic lead on all procurement matters across the Ministry. This includes leading the procurement strategy and monitoring all procurement activities to align with broader best-practice government procurement direction and guidance.

We are responsible for the full lifecycle of procurement from market engagement and market awareness, supporting procurement processes, administering contractual agreements, and maintaining commercial, contractual and strategic relationships with suppliers.

We want our people to feel valued for their unique qualities and have a sense of belonging. If you require assistance or adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.