Senior Procurement Specialist
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Tēnei tūranga – About the role
The Senior Procurement Specialist actively and regularly engages with agencies, suppliers and government centres of expertise to achieve the best possible procurement outcome for government, while understanding the impact an All of Government (AoG) approach can have on market dynamics. The Senior Procurement Specialist provides coaching and mentoring to the Procurement Specialists.
The Senior Procurement Specialist leads AoG approaches to market based on considered and documented procurement strategies. The role holder provides expert advice, support, and direction on approach to market options based on in-depth analysis, market knowledge, experience, and a strategic perspective on AoG procurement matters. The Senior Procurement Specialist may also support the undertaking of strategic category reviews and developing strategies to minimise and manage supply market risk and meet agency/s evolving needs.
Working in collaboration with the Team Leader Contract Administration, the Commercial Strategy and Sourcing Manager, the Supplier Relationship Management team, the Senior Procurement Specialist works to ensure that New Zealand Government Procurement (NZGP) takes a holistic and informed approach to strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management and procurement capability development to achieve the best possible procurement and commercial outcomes for government.
Ngā herenga – Requirements of the role
Personal specifications
- Considerable procurement/commercial experience within government, a regulatory environment, or the private sector
- Demonstrated ability to critically analyse complex commercial and procurement situations and to recommend and design robust strategies and solutions
- Experience in delivering significant procurement projects to scope, time and budget and achieving successful procurement outcomes
- Experienced in managing contractual processes - evidenced by robust contract documentation and sound understanding of contract law
- Experience in developing category strategies, implementing and managing approaches to market
- Considerable experience in cooperative, partnering relationships with key stakeholders or suppliers driving innovation, added value and benefit realisation
- Significant experience in influencing and negotiating with stakeholders, suppliers, and senior managers
- Excellent interpersonal skills; demonstrated by credibility, personal or collaborative influence, managing expectations and targeted persuasion
- Demonstrated ability to lead the development and implementation of strategy plans, stakeholder engagement plans, approaches to market and procurement plans
- High degree of political nous and a working knowledge of the machinery of government
- Considerable experience in dealing with change in a complex and dynamic environment
Qualifications
- MCIPS, tertiary qualification, (Business, Law, Accounting, Commerce) or commensurate experience in procurement and/or the commercial sector
Takohanga tuhinga o mua – Key accountabilities and deliverables
Responsibilities of this position are expected to change over time as the Ministry responds to changing needs. The incumbent will need the flexibility to adapt and develop as the environment evolves.
Leading procurement approaches to market
- The direction set and implemented by the Senior Procurement Specialist for an approach to market is based on considered and documented procurement strategies and robust category reviews and delivers the desired / anticipated benefits and outcomes
- Robust, targeted, support, review and feedback is provided on the development of possible tender processes, evaluation methodologies, market approaches, planning and award of procurement opportunities
- Expert advice, support, and direction on approach to market options is provided that is based on in-depth analysis, market knowledge, experience and a strategic perspective of AoG procurement matters
- A robust, in-depth understanding of the supplier market is demonstrated in various categories and associated industries
- Market approaches and strategies are developed in conjunction with input from suppliers and stakeholders
- Strategic category / procurement reviews are undertaken, and strategies developed that minimise and manage supply market risk and meet agency needs
Drives innovation and added value with a focus on excellence in delivery
- The Senior Procurement Specialist takes the lead and ensures active and regular engagement occurs with agencies and suppliers that achieves the best possible commercial outcome for government and suppliers
- Supplier relationships and contracts are well managed and drive innovation, added value and benefit realisation for government
- The contractual obligations of NZGP, government agencies, and suppliers are delivered
- The uplift and usage of All of Government contracts and collaborative procurement approaches is maximised by eligible government agencies
- A strategic, holistic and informed approach is taken to Supplier Relationship Management in collaboration with other teams in NZGP
- In-depth insight is provided to the Commercial Strategy and Sourcing team to inform category reviews
Enhancing procurement capability across government
- Structured, considered procurement advice is provided on significant business cases, syndicated initiatives and other requests for procurement advice either in person or in writing
- Mentoring and coaching is provided to procurement specialists
- Advisory requests are handled in a timely and professional manner with ownership accepted to see the advisory matter through to conclusion
- Opportunities are identified to influence earlier planning of procurement initiatives and collaborative procurement approaches
- Significant Service Contracts, Procurement Capability Indexes and Annual Procurement Plans are reviewed and the information used to encourage strategic procurement within agencies and across the wider government sector
- Briefings and presentations to public sector agencies are performed to a high standard that represents NZGP views and protects its reputation in any external interactions
Share extensive commercial and procurement expertise with internal and external stakeholders
- Complex and challenging commercial or procurement situations are interpreted, solutions identified and appropriate actions implemented
- Stakeholders proactively engage with the role holder for advice and support, demonstrating the role holder as a trusted and respected advisor
- Active steps are taken to support the development and enhancement of commercial acumen and procurement capability across government including building the skills of the Procurement Specialists within NZGP through coaching, shadowing and mentoring
- Seeks out opportunities to build and maintain effective working relationships with other MBIE managers and staff in order to transfer knowledge and learning to the wider organisation
Effective stakeholder & relationship management
- Cooperative, partnering relationships with NZGP’s key stakeholders are developed and maintained using highly developed influencing, negotiation and collaboration skills and experience
- Conflicts are effectively managed by focussing on meeting customers’ needs and identifying opportunities for resolution
- Stakeholders including senior managers in government agencies are engaged in a professional manner that provides a strong level of confidence
- NZGP’s views are represented and its reputation protected in any external interactions
Delivery of quality outcomes
- Procurement activity aligns with the Government Rules of Sourcing, procurement principles and frameworks
- Regular and appropriate engagement occurs with the market, agencies and suppliers and the best possible commercial outcomes for government agencies are achieved
- Expert, robust guidance is provided to government agencies that is considered, pragmatic, innovative and consistent and which meets or exceeds agency requirements
- Government agencies are assisted with their sourcing and procurement requirements and the New Zealand Government Procurement and Property Branch is viewed by government agencies as consistent and adding value to their business
Wellbeing, health & safety
- Displays commitment through actively supporting all safety and wellbeing initiatives.
- Ensures own and others safety at all times.
- Complies with relevant safety and wellbeing policies, procedures, safe systems of work and event reporting.
- Reports all incidents/accidents, including near misses in a timely fashion.
- Is involved in health and safety through participation and consultation.
Tō tūranga i roto i te Manatū – Your place in the Ministry
The Senior Procurement Specialist reports to the Manager Supplier Relationship Management in the New Zealand Government Procurement branch in the Building, Resources and Markets group.
To mātou aronga – What we do for Aotearoa New Zealand
Hīkina Whakatutuki is the te reo Māori name for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Hīkina means to uplift. Whakatutuki means to move forward, to make successful. Our name speaks to our purpose, Grow Aotearoa New Zealand for All.
To Grow Aotearoa New Zealand for All, we put people at the heart of our mahi. Based on the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi / The Treaty of Waitangi, we are committed to upholding authentic partnerships with Māori.
As agile public service leaders, we use our breadth and experience to navigate the ever-changing world. We are service providers, policy makers, investors and regulators. We engage with diverse communities, businesses and regions. Our work touches on the daily lives of New Zealanders. We grow opportunities (Puāwai), guard and protect (Kaihāpai) and innovate and navigate towards a better future (Auaha).
Ngā matatau – Our competencies
Cultivates innovation We create new and better ways for the organisation to be successful by challenging the status quo generating new and creative ideas and translating them into workable solutions.
Nimble learning We are curious and actively learn through experimentation when tackling new problems by learning as we go when facing new situations and challenges.
Customer focus We build strong customer relationships and deliver customer-centric solutions by listening and gaining insights into the needs of the communities we serve and actively seeking and responding to feedback.
Decision quality We make quality and timely decisions that shape the future for our communities and keep the organisation moving forward by relying on an appropriate mix of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgement to make valid and reliable decisions.
Action oriented We step up, taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with purpose, urgency and discipline by taking responsibility, ownership and action on challenges, and being accountable for the results.
Collaborates We connect, working together to build partnerships with our communities, working collaboratively to meet shared objectives by gaining trust and support of others; actively seeking the views, experiences, and opinions of others and by working co-operatively with others across MBIE, the public sector and external stakeholder groups.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi
As an agency of the public service, MBIE has a responsibility to contribute to the Crown meeting its obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Te Tiriti). Meeting our commitment to Te Tiriti will contribute towards us realising the overall aims of Te Ara Amiorangi – Our Path, Our Direction, and achieve the outcome of Growing New Zealand for All. The principles of Te Tiriti - including partnership, good faith, and active protection – are at the core of our work. MBIE is committed to delivering on our obligations as a Treaty partner with authenticity and integrity and to enable Māori interests. We are committed to ensuring that MBIE is well placed to meet our obligations under the Public Service Act 2020 (Te Ao Tūmatanui) to support the Crown in strengthening the Māori/Crown Relationship under the Treaty and to build MBIE’s capability, capacity and cultural intelligence to deliver this.
Mahi i roto i te Ratonga Tūmatanui – Working in the public service
Ka mahitahi mātou o te ratonga tūmatanui kia hei painga mō ngā tāngata o Aotearoa i āianei, ā, hei ngā rā ki tua hoki. He kawenga tino whaitake tā mātou hei tautoko i te Karauna i runga i āna hononga ki a ngāi Māori i raro i te Tiriti o Waitangi. Ka tautoko mātou i te kāwanatanga manapori. Ka whakakotahingia mātou e te wairua whakarato ki ō mātou hapori, ā, e arahina ana mātou e ngā mātāpono me ngā tikanga matua o te ratonga tūmatanui i roto i ā mātou mahi.
In the public service we work collectively to make a meaningful difference for New Zealanders now and in the future. We have an important role in supporting the Crown in its relationships with Māori under the Treaty of Waitangi. We support democratic government. We are unified by a spirit of service to our communities and guided by the core principles and values of the public service in our work.
What does it mean to work in Aotearoa New Zealand’s Public Service?(external link) — Te Kawa Mataaho The Public Service Commission
