Senior Procurement Specialist

Vitaco Group; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary & WFH with flexible

Health discounts & insurance

Onsite café & wellbeing

Naturopath & EAP access

Learning & growth opportunities

Birthday day off

Team culture

Job summary

Vitaco Group is seeking a Senior Procurement Specialist to own end-to-end procurement for a designated category portfolio, including vitamins and minerals. You will lead supplier negotiations, drive cost-saving initiatives, and partner with cross-functional teams to support manufacturing plans and new product launches.

The role combines strategic sourcing with day-to-day procurement management, requiring leadership across Planning, Quality, NPD, Marketing, Finance, Legal, and Supply Chain.

Qualifications

• 7+ years’ procurement experience in FMCG or co-manufacturing.
• Strong negotiation, supplier management, and contract management skills.
• Financial acumen and a track record of delivering measurable cost savings.
• A collaborative, solutions-focused approach to cross-functional teamwork.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• A tertiary qualification in Supply Chain, Commerce, Science, or a related field (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Own and deliver commercially focused category strategies for a designated portfolio, supported by market intelligence and clear sourcing plans.
• Lead end-to-end sourcing initiatives, including market research, supplier identification, RFPs, commercial evaluation, negotiations, contracting, and implementation.
• Deliver measurable savings, purchase price variance, cost avoidance, favourable payment terms, and operational efficiency improvements.
• Manage supplier relationships and performance using regular engagement and balanced scorecards.
• Manage the MRP purchasing plan for assigned materials, place and expedite purchase orders, and resolve supply constraints.
• Provide procurement leadership to cross-functional projects, including NPD and capital expenditure initiatives.

Skills

Procurement experience

Negotiation

Contract management

Financial acumen

Cross-functional teamwork

Multi-priority management

Supply chain knowledge

Education

Tertiary qualification in Supply Chain/Commerce/Science

Job description

Our Story

At Vitaco, we’re dedicated to empowering healthier lives through world-class brands like Healtheries, Nutra-Life, Musashi, Athena and Aussie Bodies. As a leading Australasian manufacturer and distributor of health food, sports nutrition, and supplement products, we’ve been helping people live healthier lives for over 100 years.

With over 700 team members across New Zealand and Australia, Vitaco operates three in-house manufacturing sites and exports to over 30 countries worldwide. Whether online or on store shelves, Vitaco’s high-quality products are never far from reach.

Due to a team member retiring, we have a fantastic opportunity for a Senior Procurement Specialist to join our dynamic Procurement team.

About The Role

Reporting to the Operational Procurement Manager, you will take end-to-end ownership of a designated procurement category portfolio (including, but not limited to vitamins & minerals). You will act as Vitaco’s subject matter expert and trusted commercial partner and will develop and deliver category strategies that balance cost, quality, service, supply continuity, inventory, and working-capital outcomes.

This is a senior, hands-on role combining strategic sourcing with day-to-day procurement management. You will lead supplier negotiations, competitive sourcing and cost-saving initiatives, while managing material requirements and resolving supply constraints to support Vitaco’s manufacturing plans.

Working across Planning, Quality, NPD, Marketing, Finance, Legal and Supply Chain, you will turn market and supplier insights into clear commercial recommendations. You will also provide procurement leadership to new product development projects, operational innovation projects, capital projects, and selected services or indirect-material sourcing initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and deliver commercially focused category strategies for a designated portfolio, supported by market intelligence, cost-driver analysis, and clear sourcing plans.
• Lead end-to-end sourcing initiatives, including market research, supplier identification, RFPs, commercial evaluation, negotiations, contracting, and implementation.
• Deliver measurable savings, purchase price variance, cost avoidance, favourable payment terms, and operational efficiency improvements.
• Manage supplier relationships and performance, using regular engagement and balanced scorecards covering quality, cost, service, reliability, and innovation.
• Manage the MRP purchasing plan for assigned materials, place and expedite purchase orders, maintain accurate ERP promise dates, and proactively resolve supply constraints.
• Partner with NPD and Marketing to source and evaluate new materials, secure robust pricing and terms, and support timely product launches.
• Provide procurement expertise to cross-functional projects, including operational innovations, capital expenditure, services, and indirect materials.

Qualifications & Experience

• 7+ years’ procurement experience, ideally within the FMCG or co-manufacturing sector.
• Strong negotiation, supplier management, and contract management skills.
• Financial acumen and a track record of delivering measurable cost savings.
• A collaborative, solutions-focused approach to cross-functional teamwork.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• A tertiary qualification in Supply Chain, Commerce, Science, or a related field (preferred).

What We Offer

At Vitaco, we don’t just offer a job—as a HRD 5-Star Employer of Choice, we offer a rewarding career in a business with purpose and heart. Here’s what you can expect:

• Competitive salary & WFH with flexible working arrangements – Rewarding remuneration with annual review.
• Health & wellness perks – Discounts on our amazing products and access to discounted health insurance.
• Onsite perks – Subsidised onsite café and wellbeing initiatives.
• Wellbeing support – Access to in-house naturopath and nutrition experts, plus Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• Learning and growth – Continuous opportunities to expand your skills and knowledge.
• Work-life balance – Celebrate your birthday with a day off.
• Team culture – Join a supportive, passionate, and innovative team

Be part of Vitaco's exciting growth journey!