Senior Category Manager

Bring your commercial procurement and astute relationship management skills - Procure and manage supplier relationships for interesting and varied services - Lead procurement negotiations for high value contracts (up to $100m) Work strategically using your engagement and influencing skills to enable procurement of nationally significant services for Aotearoa Transpower sits at the centre of the electricity industry in Aotearoa. We plan, build, operate, and maintain the National Grid - $5B of assets - critical infrastructure that makes up the high voltage backbone that transmits electricity around the country 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our core purpose is to empower the energy future for New Zealand - a future that delivers a net-zero carbon economy and a reliable and secure electricity system. About the team The team is responsible for the procurement of services such as Engineering Consultants, Grid Service Providers (contractors), Tower Painters, and Facilities Management as well as complex major capital items. About the role You'll enjoy dynamic, meaningful mahi, in an environment where no two days are the same, and you'll have lots of opportunity to make an impact You'll work to achieve sustained delivery of benefits when procuring services and major capital equipment (for over 174 substations and our unique HVDC link between the North Island and South Island). You don't need to be a technical expert in what you are procuring (we have SMEs for that) but you will need to be able to navigate technical complexity without getting stuck in the weeds. You'll manage end-to-end procurement for service providers and large value capital projects, including ICT for Transpower's current and future business needs. You'll achieve this by establishing (where necessary) and maintaining supplier relationships and commercial frameworks within which our Grid Delivery area (responsible for over $400m capex projects) can effectively operate. You will: - Develop and implement procurement strategies (including market analysis, sourcing models and analysis, reporting and supplier relationships) and Category Management plans to support the whole procurement lifecycle. - Ensure that all relevant factors, including cost, safety, sustainability, quality, project delivery, operability, and maintainability are considered for the future purchasing needs of the relevant assets. - Manage supplier relationships and contracts so planned outcomes are achieved and that a long-term focus is maintained. If you are inquisitive and keen to learn, you'll develop your knowledge over time of our complex business and assets. What will you bring? You'll hold a relevant degree qualification and be known for being curious, positive, practical, resilient, and customer centric. We are keen to share your demonstrable knowledge and understanding of "Total Cost" and ability to develop cost savings opportunities. To be considered, your experience to date, CV and cover letter will demonstrate: - A minimum of seven years of procurement experience, including commercial (non-government) ideally Category Management as opposed to, or in addition to, supply chain/warehouse /inventory specialisations. - You will have previously lead complex/high value/high risk/difficult negotiations (we love seeing metrics in your resume) - Understanding of supply chain management, risk mitigation, and experience in managing both domestic and international supplier relationships, for high value assets - Highly effective communication and engagement skills, including building key relationships with internal and external customers and stakeholders - Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills, including demonstrated experience in extracting, analysing, and using data to create procurement plans You'll be someone who has previously proactively found opportunities for improvement and developed procurement strategies and associated delivery programmes to realise these opportunities. Join us at Transpower Aotearoa is powered by the people who work here. Every home, every marae, every electric vehicle, every hospital relies on the electricity we manage and deliver. This is your opportunity to join us on a mission that affects all New Zealanders, every day and long into the future. Next Steps