Senior Social Procurement Leader

Ministry of Social Development; Wellington; On-site; NZD 143,000 - 178,000; Full time

Job summary

Ministry of Social Development is seeking a Principal Procurement Specialist to lead social procurement across the organisation. You will provide expert advice, shape strategic programmes, and mentor teams to elevate procurement practices.

This senior role requires stakeholder collaboration, risk management, and driving change in government procurement policy. You will work with leaders across MSD and agencies to promote best practice, build capability, and ensure procurement activities deliver

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in social procurement, ideally within the public sector.
• A qualification in procurement, MCIPS, or a relevant tertiary qualification.
• Strong experience working with stakeholders on complex procurement programmes and initiatives.
• A sound understanding of the social commissioning lifecycle and government procurement policies and processes.
• The ability to work independently, shape work programmes, and deliver results with minimal direction.
• Experience providing expert advice on complex procurement matters, including interpreting policies, legislation, and organisational frameworks.
• Strong relationship-building and influencing skills, with experience working across teams, business groups, and agencies.
• The ability to identify risks and opportunities, analyse information, and provide practical solutions.
• Experience leading change initiatives and implementing best practice approaches.
• Proven coaching and mentoring skills, with a passion for developing others and building capability.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to present complex information in a clear and practical way.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex and strategic procurement work across MSD.
• Coach and mentor team members and build procurement capability.
• Provide trusted advice on procurement matters to senior stakeholders.
• Develop strategic approaches, frameworks and guidance for social procurement.

Skills

Social procurement

Stakeholder management

Procurement policies

Social commissioning lifecycle

Independent work

Expert advice

Relationship building

Risk/opportunity analysis

Change leadership

Coaching & mentoring

Clear communication

Education

MCIPS or relevant qualification

Job description

Ministry of Social Development is seeking a Principal Procurement Specialist to lead social procurement across the organisation. You will provide expert advice, shape strategic programmes, and mentor teams to elevate procurement practices.

This senior role requires stakeholder collaboration, risk management, and driving change in government procurement policy. You will work with leaders across MSD and agencies to promote best practice, build capability, and ensure procurement activities deliver