Principal Procurement Specialist

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi

. Lead and manage infrastructure procurement and sourcing activities across complex projects and programmes .

Posted 10/7/2026full-timeWellington • New ZealandLeadWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in leading infrastructure procurement and sourcing activities, developing effective strategies, and managing complex commercial negotiations while ensuring stakeholder engagement and compliance with governance requirements.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Infrastructure Procurement ManagementCommercial Negotiation ExpertiseStakeholder Engagement SkillsContract Management PrinciplesRisk Management Strategies

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Procurement Strategy DevelopmentMarket EngagementTender EvaluationCommercial Risk AssessmentGovernance Compliance

Soft Skills

Written Communication SkillsVerbal Communication SkillsCommercial AcumenJudgement in Procurement Decisions

Certifications & Qualifications

Relevant Tertiary QualificationMembership of Relevant Professional Body

Industry Keywords

Infrastructure Delivery ModelsOpen Market ApproachesAlliancesDirect NegotiationsTe Ao MāoriTe Reo MāoriTe Tiriti o Waitangi

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead and manage infrastructure procurement and sourcing activities across complex projects and programmes
Provide expert procurement and commercial advice within the Commercial Delivery team
Develop fit-for-purpose sourcing strategies and commercial solutions with project teams, business sponsors and commercial stakeholders
Lead procurement activity across planning and sourcing phases
Conduct market engagement and tender evaluation
Support contract award and negotiation
Strengthen market confidence and supplier relationships
Use procurement expertise and market intelligence to shape sourcing strategies and manage risk
Support successful delivery of infrastructure projects across the transport network

Requirements

What you’ll need

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 balancing risk, market capacity, delivery requirements and value for money
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 senior leaders, project teams and external partners
Strong commercial acumen and sound judgement in complex procurement decisions
Highly developed written and verbal communication skills
A relevant tertiary or professional qualification
Knowledge of, or willingness to develop understanding of, Te Ao Māori, Te Reo Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi in a public sector context
Legal right to live and work in New Zealand
Membership of a relevant professional body is desirable

Benefits

Comp & perks

Five weeks annual leave
Life Insurance for permanent employees
Income Protection Insurance for permanent employees
Critical Illness Insurance for permanent employees
Equal opportunity and diversity and inclusion support
Recruitment process accessibility support