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As New Zealand's largest telecommunications and digital services company, Spark's purpose is to help all of New Zealand win big in a digital world. We provide mobile, broadband, and digital services to millions of New Zealanders and thousands of New Zealand businesses. 

We operate in an exciting and constantly evolving industry, where the pace of change brings new and unique challenges every day, so we operate using Agile ways of working to allow us to meet the fast-changing needs of our customers. Agile replaces the traditional hierarchical organisational structure to produce a transparent, collaborative environment with highly productive teams who are empowered to deliver better outcomes for our customers, communities, and all of New Zealand. 

About the Role: 

The Procurement and Category Partner is responsible for building strong business and supply partnerships to support the various business units and to deliver the identified commercial outcomes. The role is required to support the business by leading in developing and delivering procurement strategies/engagements across IT supply categories.

Day to day you will be involved in: 

Responsibilities include senior stakeholder management, communicating and negotiating with suppliers, implementation of strategies, risk management, market, and cost-based analysis, strategic cost reduction/avoidance projects, and collaborative project delivery.

 The Procurement and Category Partner will manage category procurement engagements including product and service selection, contract negotiations, complex deals, RFX processes and general activity for Spark in relation to procurement activities - ensuring the best value, efficiencies and effectiveness goals are achieved. 

Collaboratively building Spark’s procurement frameworks, policy, process and capability.

What experience you'll bring?

• 7+ years of demonstrated Procurement/Category Management experience.
• Experienced in developing and implementing sourcing strategies and delivering sustainable procurement outcomes.
• MCIPS certification or equivalent learning.
• Solid background in IT procurement (software, hardware, SaaS, infrastructure).
• Creation of procurement frameworks, processes and data.
• Senior stakeholder management experience - both internally and externally.
• Business and commercial acumen - can think in terms of Spark's business objectives and how this is applied to the projects within their portfolio.
• Sound knowledge of the end-to-end procurement cycle including contract drafting, category management and commercial negotiations.
• You are familiar with Agile processes and are an expert in your field.

WHY CHOOSE US: 

Diversity and Inclusion: Te Kanorau me te Whakawhāiti mai 

At Spark, we are constantly looking for ways to build a more inclusive culture.  Our vision is for diversity and inclusion to be "how things are done at Spark", embedded into our day-to-day activities, standards, and business practices.  We want you to feel totally comfortable bringing your whole self to work regardless of your gender, ethnicity, orientation, age, or ability. 

Sustainability: Toitū

 Sustainability is a key focus for us.  We are dedicated to supporting Aotearoa New Zealand's recovery and economic transformation.  The principle of equity is at the very heart of our approach, and we remain committed to working in partnership to make a positive contribution to digital equity in line with our focus on Diversity and Inclusion. 

Benefits: Awhina 

 Our people matter and we make sure we look after them. As a valued employee of Spark, we've got our people covered with a range of leading benefits including: 

• Wellbeing - Comprehensive medical insurance, life and income protection.  Access to wellbeing coaches, EAP and in-house Specialist Clinical support through our leading Mahi Tahi Wellness programme. 

• Hybrid ways of working - for most teams at Spark this means being in the office for 4 days a week, and 1 day being flexible. 

• Leave - in addition to four weeks annual leave, we offer purchased leave, enhanced parental leave support and study leave.

• Spark Credit – we provide permanent employees with $120 monthly Spark credit to use on any of our amazing products. 

• Spark Share scheme – periodically we offer the opportunity to buy into our share scheme. 

• Career development – access to an internal marketplace that connects employees with experiential, on the job learning across Spark.

Due to the nature and urgency of this role, we are only considering applicants that are based in New Zealand with permanent residency, citizenship, or a valid work visa (with at least 18 months remaining).