Principal Commercial Specialist

Join a collaborative and engaging team
- Wellington based role
- Fixed term until 30 June 2026

Use your Procurement, Commercial and Commissioning experience to support the work we do to improve social outcomes for disabled people.

**About us | Mo matou**:
The Ministry of Social Development is a people-centred organisation. We're in communities across the motu, working with partners to help New Zealanders be safe, strong and independent.

We provide social policy and advice to government and assistance, including income, employment and housing support to people of all ages, families, whanau and communities.

As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner we are committed to supporting and enabling Maori, whanau, hapu, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.

Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. We care about the wellbeing and success of our people and provide a supportive and inclusive working environment where people can thrive and be who they are.

**About our team | Mo te tima**:
The Disability Support Services Group (DSS) is being established to ensure fairer access to disability support services in New Zealand, ensuring those with the greatest needs receive quality support services.

The DSS Review Taskforce has been established to implement the recommendations of the Independent Review in DSS to:

- provide disabled people with certain and consistent access to DSS, no matter what their circumstances or where they live in New Zealand
- prioritise funding for disabled people with the highest needs, and those who would benefit most from early intervention support,
- ensure that Enabling Good Lives (EGL) principles are put into practice
- ensure that the long-term sustainability of DSS is strengthened to provide disabled people and carers with services that are both fair and affordable.

**About the role | Mo te tunga**:
As the Principal Commercial Specialist, you will you'll work closely with the Director Commissioning and the DSS Taskforce to lead and manage complex commercial work and oversee a range of activities within categories of commissioning activity.

You will develop strategic sourcing strategies, oversee procurements, including procurement improvements, and establish supplier relationship approaches that enables outcomes to align with DSS immediate and long-term strategic direction.

You will mentor others to share best practice and experience across commissioning and wider DSS and provides strategic advice to leaders across the group.

DSS is in a period of change where it's commissioning, procurement and commercial functions are growing and improving. This role will be critical in driving forward improvements across how DSS procures and commissions services in the future.

**Key responsibilities include**:

- Strategic sourcing and stakeholder engagement
- Supplier and contract management
- Supplier relationship management
- Delivery of procurement and commercial projects
- Embedding te ao Maori into commercial practices

**What you bring | Ou pumanawatanga**:

- Extensive senior commercial procurement experience
- A procurement related qualification (e.g. MCIPS, or a related degree or certification) would be beneficial
- Proven leadership and strategic sourcing experience
- High-level project and relationship management skills
- Expertise in change management and public sector procurement
- Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and communication skills
- Ability to maintain objectivity, fairness, and professionalism

**Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tunga**:
A copy of the position description can be found here. Principal Commercial Specialist position description.

**Salary band: $141,109 - $175,603**

**Applications Close | Ka kati nga tono hei te : Sunday 10 August 2025.**

**Note**: Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key responsibilities listed in the position description.

**Internal MSD Employees**:
**Joining us | Ko te hono mai**:
Joining MSD means being part of a whanau that celebrates the diversity each individual represents. We show manaaki, we care about the wellbeing and success of people and want everyone to thrive, and be who they are in a supportive and inclusive working environment. We work together to make a difference for communities while doing the right thing with integrity. We are a Treaty partner committed to strengthening relationships with Maori, Hapu, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.