Principal Procurement Specialist - Information Command

Role overview

Robert Walters is hiring on behalf of the New Zealand Defence Force for a Principal Procurement Specialist to join Defence Commercial Services during an important period of change. This senior position offers the chance to shape major ICT procurement activity that supports New Zealand’s defence capability.

What you will do

• Take ownership of complex, high-value ICT procurement work across the entire sourcing process, from planning through to sourcing and contract management.
• Create and execute sourcing and procurement approaches for major transformation initiatives.
• Help progress critical capability purchases by planning and delivering procurement activity effectively.
• Advise senior leaders and programme teams on commercial matters.
• Apply strong governance, risk management, and compliance controls throughout the work.
• Lead supplier interaction, negotiations, and the setup of major contracts within the INFOCOM environment.
• Help improve procurement processes, frameworks, and day-to-day ways of working.
• Support early-stage commercial thinking and business case preparation.
• Ensure all activity aligns with NZDF strategy, internal policy, and Government procurement requirements.

What makes you a strong fit

• You have extensive senior-level procurement or commercial experience, ideally spanning 10+ years.
• You have successfully delivered large, complex ICT procurement programmes.
• You understand Government Procurement Rules and broader public sector commercial frameworks.
• You are confident working with senior stakeholders and can influence outcomes effectively.
• You bring sound commercial judgement and strong analytical ability.
• You can perform well in fast-moving, high-pressure, and agile environments.
• You communicate clearly in both written and spoken formats.
• You have broad, end-to-end procurement lifecycle experience.
• MCIPS or a relevant tertiary qualification is preferred.

Additional information

Working for the New Zealand Defence Force means contributing to work that has real national importance, including security, capability development, and operational readiness.

Pre-employment drug screening and NZDF police clearance are required.

To qualify for the required level of government security clearance, you must be a New Zealand citizen, or hold New Zealand Permanent Residence or a current New Zealand Residency Class Visa. You must also have lived continuously for the past 10 years in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, or the United States of America, and have a 10-year background history that can be checked and assessed by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS).

Applications are generally reviewed within five working days. If you do not hear back within that time, you may contact Serena Daysh on +6444719734.

For more information, Serena Daysh can also be reached at 022 184 2126 or serena.daysh@robertwalters.co.nz.