Strategic Procurement Lead
Build procurement capability. Drive commercial value. Make your mark.
At BestStart, we're passionate about creating environments where children can learn, grow and thrive. As we continue to evolve, we're creating a new Procurement Lead role to strengthen our commercial capability and support smarter, value-driven procurement across the organisation.
Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, this is a unique opportunity to establish and shape procurement within one of New Zealand's leading early childhood education providers. You'll work closely with leaders across the business to deliver strategic sourcing initiatives, strengthen supplier partnerships and introduce procurement practices that create long-term value.
About the role
In our role you will lead procurement activities across a diverse portfolio of goods and services, balancing commercial outcomes with quality, service and risk. You'll negotiate contracts, build strong supplier relationships and provide trusted commercial advice that supports informed business decisions.
This newly established role is an opportunity for an experienced procurement professional to build the procurement function from the ground up. You will establish the frameworks, processes and performance measures needed to create a consistent, value-driven approach to procurement across BestStart, while leading the development and implementation of a national procurement strategy. This is a hands-on role with significant strategic influence, offering the opportunity to shape how procurement supports BestStart’s growth, operational performance and long-term success.
What you'll be doing
· Lead end-to-end procurement and strategic sourcing activities across the organisation.
· Negotiate commercial contracts and manage key supplier relationships.
· Lead end to end RFP. Tender and evaluation processes.
· Identify opportunities to optimise spend while maintaining quality and service.
· Develop procurement policies, frameworks and governance that support consistent decision making.
· Partner with leaders to provide commercial advice and procurement expertise.
· Lead implementation of procurement strategy including change management and stakeholder engagement.
· Drive continuous improvement by identifying smarter, more effective ways of working.
· Prepare procurement business cases, executive reports and develop procurement dashboards and track savings, benefits and supplier KPIs.
What you'll bring
You are a commercially minded procurement professional who enjoys building relationships, influencing stakeholders and delivering practical business outcomes.
You'll also bring:
· Proven experience in procurement, strategic sourcing or commercial management.
· Strong contract negotiation and supplier management experience.
· Excellent commercial and financial acumen.
· The ability to influence and build trusted relationships across all levels of an organisation.
· A continuous improvement mindset with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
· High levels of integrity, professionalism and sound judgement.
Why BestStart?
This is more than a procurement role—it's an opportunity to build a capability that will influence how BestStart partners with suppliers and delivers value across the business.
You'll have the opportunity to shape procurement from the ground up while contributing to an organisation that makes a positive difference in the lives of children and whānau across New Zealand.
If you're ready to build, influence and make a lasting impact, we'd love to hear from you.
