Procurement Business Partner

About the Company

New Zealand King Salmon (NZKS) has been farming and producing premium salmon for more than 35 years and is recognised as the world’s largest producer of farmed King salmon. The business manages the full journey from breeding through to branding, and is known for supplying high-quality products to consumers and chefs in New Zealand and around the world.

Its salmon is sold under the Ōra King, Regal, Southern Ocean and Omega Plus labels. NZKS is currently going through a period of strong expansion and change, which makes this a compelling time to join the organisation.

The Role

Reporting to the Head of Strategic Procurement and Purchasing, this position will own procurement activity end to end across all NZKS business units. It is a key hire within a newly formed procurement function that is still being shaped, and it needs someone who can operate independently from the outset.

The role is based in Auckland or Nelson, with Christchurch and other locations considered for the right person.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the full procurement process, including shaping business needs, building market approaches, running tenders, RFQs and RFPs, creating evaluation criteria, and managing contracts through their lifecycle.
• Spot commercial and contractual exposure early, explain it clearly to stakeholders, and guide them on practical ways to reduce or manage risk.
• Work closely with operational and functional leaders across NZKS business units to align procurement activity with business needs.
• Position procurement as a genuinely value-adding partner internally by showing commercial results rather than relying on policy or process alone.
• Help stakeholders and teams understand and support the procurement transformation through credibility, hands-on support, and consistent delivery.
• Build and maintain supplier partnerships, including support for supplier relationship management programmes.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to team members and key stakeholders where needed.

Experience and Skills Required

• More than 10 years of procurement experience in a complex operational environment.
• Strong capability across the full procurement lifecycle, including tendering, contract negotiation, and supplier management.
• Proven business partnering skills, with the ability to work effectively and credibly with operational and functional leaders at every level.
• Confident internal influencer who can stand firm on the procurement process without depending on formal authority.
• A pragmatic, solutions-focused approach and the ability to work effectively in changing or unclear environments.
• Well-developed contract negotiation experience across commercially important supplier relationships.
• Background from a corporate private-sector environment is required; experience in FMCG, primary industries, or manufacturing is preferred.
• Experience in categories such as engineering, construction, facilities management, ICT, or marketing would be an advantage.

Additional Information

This is a senior, autonomous role within a business that has strong executive support and a clear mandate for procurement to grow. The position offers broad category exposure, close partnership with operational leaders, and the chance to help define how procurement operates at NZKS over the long term.

Work Eligibility

Applicants must already have the legal right to work in New Zealand.

Application and Contact

To be considered, submit your CV through the application process provided. For a confidential conversation, contact Dan Hearty on 021 192 5460 or email [email protected].