Senior Commercial Specialist AoG
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Tēnei tūranga – About the role
The Senior Commercial Specialist AoG (All of Government) is a specialist position in the New Zealand Government Procurement (NZGP) branch. Each year, the New Zealand Government spends more than $50 billion on goods and services that are essential for the delivery of public services and infrastructure, economic growth, and the wellbeing of New Zealanders. The Government and the New Zealand public expect this spend to deliver value. NZGP is tasked with leading the settings, outcomes and performance of the procurement system managing this expenditure.
The Senior Commercial Specialist AoG actively and regularly engages with agencies and suppliers to achieve the best possible commercial and procurement outcomes for government, while understanding the impact an AoG approach can have on market dynamics. The Senior Commercial Specialist AoG drives innovation and public value with a focus on excellence in delivery. They develop strategies through their market understanding, while meeting government priorities and agency needs and managing supply market risks.
The role holder provides expert advice, support, and direction on approach to market options based on in-depth analysis, market knowledge, experience, and a strategic perspective on AoG procurement matters. The Senior Commercial Specialist AoG also supports the undertaking of strategic category reviews and developing strategies to minimise and manage supply market risk and meet suppliers and agencies evolving needs.
Working in collaboration with the Category Lead AoG and their team, the Senior Commercial Specialist AoG works to ensure that NZGP takes a holistic and informed approach to strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management to achieve the best possible procurement and commercial outcomes for government. The Senior Commercial Specialist AoG provides coaching and mentoring to the Commercial Specialists.
The Senior Commercial Specialist AoG is responsible for a delegated portfolio/category of government expenditure. This includes professional services, products, finance, or travel. The role holder will design and implement procurement strategies for their portfolio/category area of expenditure.
Ngā herenga – Requirements of the role
Personal specifications
- Considerable commercial experience within government, a regulatory environment, or the private sector.
- Demonstrated ability to critically analyse complex commercial and procurement situations and to recommend and design robust strategies and solutions.
- Experience in optimising commercial outcomes to scope, time and budget and achieving successful procurement outcomes.
- Experienced in managing contractual processes - evidenced by robust contract documentation and sound understanding of contract law.
- Experience in developing category strategies, implementing, and managing approaches to market – desirable.
- Considerable experience in cooperative, partnering relationships with key stakeholders or suppliers driving innovation, added value and benefit realisation.
- Significant experience in influencing and negotiating with stakeholders, suppliers, and senior managers.
- Excellent interpersonal skills; demonstrated by credibility, personal or collaborative influence, managing expectations and targeted persuasion.
- High degree of political nous and a working knowledge of the machinery of government.
- Considerable experience in leading change in a complex and dynamic environment.
Qualifications
- Tertiary qualification, (Business, Law, Accounting, Commerce) or commensurate experience in commercial roles.
Takohanga tuhinga o mua – Key accountabilities and deliverables
Leading procurement/commercial approaches to market
- Expert advice, support, and direction on approach to market options is provided that is based on in-depth analysis, market knowledge, experience, and a strategic perspective of AoG procurement matters.
- A robust, in-depth understanding of the supplier market is demonstrated in relevant categories and associated industries.
- Market and commercial strategies are developed in conjunction with input from suppliers and stakeholders.
- Strategic category/procurement reviews are undertaken, and strategies are developed that understand and manage supply market risk, meet agency needs and government priorities.
- Leads multiple pieces of work concurrently and actively and independently plans and manages workload.
- Chairs and contributes to meetings, including where matters are complex or sensitive, require negotiation or working towards solutions.
Drives innovation and public value with a focus on excellence in delivery
- The Senior Procurement Specialist AoG takes the lead and ensures active and regular engagement occurs with agencies and suppliers that achieves the best possible commercial outcome for government and suppliers.
- Supplier relationships and contracts are well managed and drive innovation, added value and benefit realisation for government.
- The contractual obligations of NZGP, government agencies, and suppliers are delivered.
- The uplift and usage of AoG contracts and collaborative procurement approaches is maximised by eligible government agencies.
- A strategic, holistic and informed approach is taken to Supplier Relationship Management in collaboration with other teams in NZGP and across government.
- In-depth insight is provided to the Commercial Strategy and Sourcing team to inform category reviews.
Share extensive commercial and procurement expertise with internal and external stakeholders
- Complex and challenging commercial or procurement situations are interpreted, solutions identified, and appropriate actions implemented.
- Stakeholders proactively engage with the role holder for advice and support, demonstrating the role holder as a trusted and respected advisor.
- Structured, considered procurement advice is provided on significant business cases, syndicated initiatives, and other requests for procurement advice either in person or in writing.
- Active steps are taken to support the development and enhancement of commercial acumen and procurement capability across government and within NZGP.
Effective stakeholder and relationship management
- Cooperative, partnering relationships with NZGP’s key stakeholders are developed and maintained using highly developed influencing, negotiation and collaboration skills and experience.
- Conflicts are effectively managed by focusing on meeting customers’ needs and identifying opportunities for resolution.
- Maintains relationships across a variety of functions and locations. Draws upon multiple relationships to exchange ideas, resources and know-how. Actively seeks to build and maintain a network of contacts.
- Stakeholders including senior managers in government agencies are engaged in a professional manner that provides a strong level of confidence.
- NZGP’s views are represented, and its reputation protected in any external interactions.
Wellbeing, health and safety
- Displays commitment through actively supporting all safety and wellbeing initiatives.
- Ensures own and others safety at all times.
- Complies with relevant safety and wellbeing policies, procedures, safe systems of work and event reporting.
- Reports all incidents/accidents, including near misses in a timely fashion.
- Is involved in health and safety through participation and consultation.
Tō tūranga i roto i te Manatū – Your place in the Ministry
The Senior Commercial Specialist AoG reports to the Category Lead AoG within the Collaborative Procurement unit in the NZGP branch. The branch is in the Building, Resources and Markets group.
To mātou aronga – What we do for Aotearoa New Zealand
Hīkina Whakatutuki is the te reo Māori name for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Hīkina means to uplift. Whakatutuki means to move forward, to make successful. Our name speaks to our purpose, Grow Aotearoa New Zealand for All.
To Grow Aotearoa New Zealand for All, we put people at the heart of our mahi. Based on the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi / The Treaty of Waitangi, we are committed to upholding authentic partnerships with Māori.
As agile public service leaders, we use our breadth and experience to navigate the ever-changing world. We are service providers, policy makers, investors and regulators. We engage with diverse communities, businesses and regions. Our work touches on the daily lives of New Zealanders. We grow opportunities (Puāwai), guard and protect (Kaihāpai) and innovate and navigate towards a better future (Auaha).
Ngā matatau – Our competencies
Cultivates innovation We create new and better ways for the organisation to be successful by challenging the status quo generating new and creative ideas and translating them into workable solutions.
Nimble learning We are curious and actively learn through experimentation when tackling new problems by learning as we go when facing new situations and challenges.
Customer focus We build strong customer relationships and deliver customer-centric solutions by listening and gaining insights into the needs of the communities we serve and actively seeking and responding to feedback.
Decision quality We make quality and timely decisions that shape the future for our communities and keep the organisation moving forward by relying on an appropriate mix of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgement to make valid and reliable decisions.
Action oriented We step up, taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with purpose, urgency and discipline by taking responsibility, ownership and action on challenges, and being accountable for the results.
Collaborates We connect, working together to build partnerships with our communities, working collaboratively to meet shared objectives by gaining trust and support of others; actively seeking the views, experiences, and opinions of others and by working co-operatively with others across MBIE, the public sector and external stakeholder groups.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi
As an agency of the public service, MBIE has a responsibility to contribute to the Crown meeting its obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Te Tiriti). Meeting our commitment to Te Tiriti will contribute towards us realising the overall aims of Te Ara Amiorangi – Our Path, Our Direction, and achieve the outcome of Growing New Zealand for All. The principles of Te Tiriti - including partnership, good faith, and active protection – are at the core of our work. MBIE is committed to delivering on our obligations as a Treaty partner with authenticity and integrity and to enable Māori interests. We are committed to ensuring that MBIE is well placed to meet our obligations under the Public Service Act 2020 (Te Ao Tūmatanui) to support the Crown in strengthening the Māori/Crown Relationship under the Treaty and to build MBIE’s capability, capacity and cultural intelligence to deliver this.
Mahi i roto i te Ratonga Tūmatanui – Working in the public service
Ka mahitahi mātou o te ratonga tūmatanui kia hei painga mō ngā tāngata o Aotearoa i āianei, ā, hei ngā rā ki tua hoki. He kawenga tino whaitake tā mātou hei tautoko i te Karauna i runga i āna hononga ki a ngāi Māori i raro i te Tiriti o Waitangi. Ka tautoko mātou i te kāwanatanga manapori. Ka whakakotahingia mātou e te wairua whakarato ki ō mātou hapori, ā, e arahina ana mātou e ngā mātāpono me ngā tikanga matua o te ratonga tūmatanui i roto i ā mātou mahi.
In the public service we work collectively to make a meaningful difference for New Zealanders now and in the future. We have an important role in supporting the Crown in its relationships with Māori under the Treaty of Waitangi. We support democratic government. We are unified by a spirit of service to our communities and guided by the core principles and values of the public service in our work.
What does it mean to work in Aotearoa New Zealand’s Public Service?(external link) — Te Kawa Mataaho The Public Service Commission
