Senior Procurement Specialist

**Our Story**

At Vitaco, we’re dedicated to **empowering healthier lives** through world-class brands like **Healtheries**, **Nutra-Life**, **Musashi**, **Athena**. As a leading Australasian manufacturer and distributor of health food, sports nutrition, and supplement products, we’ve been helping people live healthier lives for over 100 years.

With over 650 team members across New Zealand and Australia, Vitaco operates three in-house manufacturing sites and exports to over 30 countries worldwide. Whether online or on store shelves, Vitaco’s high-quality products are never far from reach.

Due to our continued growth, we have a fantastic opportunity for a **Senior Procurement Specialist (Protein)** to join our dynamic Supply Chain team.

**About the role**:
Reporting to the Strategic Procurement Manager, this newly created role will take ownership of a designated category portfolio, Protein.

This is a pivotal role within our procurement team, where you’ll lead cost-saving and sourcing initiatives across a designated category portfolio—with a **primary focus on animal and plant proteins**, and support for selected services and indirect materials.

You’ll be the go-to expert for all things protein, owning the full end-to-end procurement cycle—from market analysis and supplier negotiations to category strategy development and implementation. You’ll ensure a stable supply of materials that align with both strategic goals and day-to-day operational needs.

But that’s not all—you'll work cross-functionally with teams across supply chain, planning, quality, finance, and NPD, as well as externally with key suppliers to secure the best outcomes for Vitaco.

**Key responsibilities**:

- Develop and execute a commercially focused category strategy for all proteins.
- Lead sourcing, negotiation, and supplier management for proteins and relevant indirect categories.
- Ensure continuity of supply while balancing quality, cost, and risk.
- Monitor market trends and provide regular commodity price insights to senior leadership.
- Support New Product Development (NPD) with material sourcing and contract negotiation.
- Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

**Qualifications & Experience**
- 7+ years of procurement experience in a senior procurement or category management role, preferably in FMCG
- Strong understanding of protein categories, supply chains, and supplier markets
- Proven experience with commodity buying and excellent negotiation skills
- Ability to operate strategically while managing day-to-day priorities
- Proficiency in procurement tools and ERP systems.
- Strong Excel and analytical skills.
- Experience working cross-functionally in fast-paced, complex environments
- A relevant tertiary qualification in supply chain, commerce, science or similar.
- CIPS, APICS or NZPICS certification (preferred).
- Experience working with animal and plant proteins

**What we offer**:
At Vitaco, we don’t just offer a job—as a HRD 5-Star Employer of Choice, we offer a **rewarding career** in a business with **purpose and heart**. Here’s what you can expect:

- Competitive salary & WFH with flexible working arrangements - Rewarding remuneration with annual review.
- Health & wellness perks - Discounts on our amazing products and access to discounted health insurance.
- Onsite perks - Subsidised onsite café and wellbeing initiatives.
- Wellbeing support - Access to in-house naturopath and nutrition experts, plus Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
- Learning and growth - Continuous opportunities to expand your skills and knowledge.
- Work-life balance - Celebrate your birthday with a day off.
- Team culture - Join a supportive, passionate, and innovative team

**Be part of Vitaco's exciting growth journey