Head of Procurement

About the role:

This is a unique opportunity to lead, influence, and enhance procurement across all areas of Council, ensuring best value, legislative compliance, and alignment with our long-term goals and community outcomes.

As a senior member of the Finance Team, you'll lead the strategic planning, development, and execution of Council's procurement function. You'll be responsible for driving a proactive, effective, and customer-focused procurement approach across the organisation, while ensuring compliance with legislative and policy requirements.

This role reports to the Chief Financial Officer and works closely with staff across all departments — from Legal and Project Managers to Contract Engineers and Executive Leadership. You'll play a key role in embeding procurement excellence across Council, building strong internal relationships, and ensuring procurement activity is aligned, efficient, and futur-focused.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the development and implementation of Council's procurement policies, strategies, and tools.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to support compliant, efficient, and fit-for-purpose procurement activity.
• Oversee contract performance, supplier management, and procurement risk mitigation.
• Drive continuous improvement in procurement systems, practices, and outcomes.
• Maintain robust quality, compliance, and probity standards in all procurement activity.
• Provide visible leadership in procurement culture, supporting capability development across the organisation.
• Lead centralised procurement efforts and initiatives such as fleet sustainability and shared services.

About you:

You're an experienced procurement professional with a strategic mindset, a practical approach, and a strong understanding of what good procurement looks like across both small-scale and complex, high-value activities. You thrive in collaborative environments, can navigate ambiguity, and have the confidence to work independently while influencing at all levels.

You will bring:

• 10+ years' experience in a similar senior procurement role
• Proven experience designing and implementing procurement strategies, frameworks, and policies
• A track record of leading or supporting procurement activities of varying value and complexity
• Strong ability to build and maintain effective, productive partnerships with stakeholders
• Demonstrated success in delivering fit-for-purpose procurement solutions across a broad range of sectors or categories
• Excellent organisational and time management skills — able to manage multiple priorities and respond effectively under pressure
• A flexible, solution-focused mindset, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and shifting priorities
• A broad and deep understanding of procurement principles, systems, and good practice

What we can offer:

• Great work-life balance with flexibility
• Career coaching and development
• Life insurance
• Wellbeing and volunteer leave
• Three days paid leave between Christmas and New Year
• Two weeks paid Partners Leave
• Sick leave from day one
• Continued KiwiSaver contributions during savings suspension
• Discounts with local and national businesses

About us:

Selwyn is New Zealand's fastest growing district. We have a fantastic quality of life, great communities, and a thriving economy. Our Council works actively with residents to provide the services and facilities that help our communities to thrive and grow.

Our head office is based in Rolleston (only 25km from Christchurch), which offers an enviable family lifestyle, outstanding local facilities and an easy drive to the ski fields, rivers and hills that make up Canterbury's stunning landscape.

Our values are important to us and represent the way we work: · Be a good human · Be brave - Think differently · Better together- Make it happen for Selwyn.

We honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and we are committed to working with our Treaty partner to deliver on our obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

If you'd like to play a part in making Selwyn the best place to live, work and play, join us today!

To apply for this job go to: https://sdcjobs.co.nz/Vacancies & enter ref code: 6782450. 

Applications close 27 July 2025