Category Specialist IT procurement

• Provide specialist support for IT procurement
• Support the execution of procurement strategies
• Great work environment and supportive culture

Transpower sits at the centre of the New Zealand electricity industry. 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 24/7.

About the Team

Within our Corporate Services Division, led by the CFO, the Procurement and Supply Team provides a centre led procurement function that works to achieve enterprise level outcomes from over $450 million of procurement spend per annum across 1600 domestic and international suppliers.

The team works to empower a more sustainable energy future for New Zealand by providing expert procurement and commercial management capability, and enabling supply chain functions to our operational divisions, driving both financial and non-financial benefits over the long term.

The Opportunity

As Category Specialist IT, covering parental leave, you work will support our Commercial Management team that is responsible for the sustained delivery of benefits across one of our key spends by supporting the delivery of our category strategies across the IT portfolio.

The procurement strategies, product and procurement plans developed by our Category Management team need ensure that all relevant factors, including cost, safety and environment, quality, project delivery, operability and maintainability are considered for the future purchasing needs of the relevant assets.

You will provide specialist IT procurement support across a range of related products including software, licences and hardware and IT services such as installation, testing and training activities. In addition, from time to time you will assist and provide support in other procurement categories.

Supporting the execution of procurement strategies including market analysis, sourcing models and analysis, reporting and supplier relationships and product plans across the whole procurement lifecycle, you will lead or provide support to various procurements, maintain effective supplier relationships and develop a technical knowledge of our IT division and technology in support of your work.

What will you bring?

With proven experience providing robust specialist procurement support, for various end to end procurements across the IT Category, you will be adept at developing positive relationships with strategic suppliers and key stakeholders - measuring, monitoring and analysing the overall performance of suppliers.

Your experience will include tracking fault and quality issues, managing warranty issues, reviewing performance data with suppliers, working with suppliers to drive ongoing value discovery, facilitating periodic business reviews with stakeholders and suppliers to enhance satisfaction.

With a sound understanding of the principles of procurement including Sourcing, Category and Demand Management, your wider skills, knowledge and experience will include:

• category management reporting to demonstrate savings, cost mitigation, potential opportunities and identify risks and challenges
• proven ability to develop an understanding of the IT category buying needs within a scaled corporate organisation
• strong commercial acumen, negotiation skills and supplier relationship management skills
• excellent analytical and critical thinking skills including the ability to extract, analyse, and use data to create businesss cases and executive level presentations

Your CV and cover letter will be reinforced by relevant qualifications (Business, Commerce, Law) and/or equivalent experience and reflect:

• highly effective communication, engagement and relationship skills, including building key relationships, advocacy and influencing (including with international suppliers)
• excellent co-ordination / administrative skills with demonstrable experience using the Microsoft office package suite
• competence / demonstrable experience supporting multiple procurements at any one time
• strong commercial acumen, negotiation skills and supplier relationship management skills
• a sound understanding of the principles of procurement including sourcing, category and demand management

While not essential an understanding of and experience with Government Procurement Rules and probity and direct commercial and procurement experience in the Electricity Transmission, Construction or IT sectors including project delivery and maintenance would be advantageous.

Why join Transpower

It's exciting On offer is intellectual stimulation, work with the scale, criticality, and complexity of our lifeline utility. It is both stimulating and challenging. We are an equal opportunity employer and value the diversity of thought that comes from our people of over 28 nationalities.

You'll join a fun, hardworking team in a family friendly and flexible environment with great employee benefits - check them out here and on the job learning, development, and career progression over time.

To join us as in this key commercial role, please review the position description via our website and apply without delay.

Role closes 3rd December 2025 however applications will be reviewed as they are received, and you may be contacted for an initial exploratory conversation to expedite shortlisting.

Existing eligibility to work in New Zealand is required.