Director, Strategic Procurement and Major Contracts
Job ID: 492740
Applications close Sunday 3 November 2024
For enquiries: Kristie Husk, Talent Acquisition Manager
Work area: Financial Services
Location: UniSC Sunshine Coast
Supervisor: Sue Phillips, Chief Financial Officer
Employment: Five-year, full-time, fixed-term appointment
Position description:
Overview
Recognising the importance of procurement in a growing University, UniSC has established a new procurement leadership role to lead its shift towards a more coordinated yet decentralised procurement operating model. Leading a small team at our UniSC Sunshine Coast campus, the new Director, Strategic Procurement and Major Contracts will be tasked with shaping the UniSC procurement function to better suit the needs of the University and our award-winning facilities.
This newly created role offers a unique greenfield opportunity to shape and lead UniSC’s procurement strategy from the ground up. You'll be driving the transition to a more coordinated model, improving demand and supply management, and overseeing major contracts. The position presents both opportunities and challenges - balancing efficiency and stakeholder alignment while innovating strategic procurement initiatives. The role allows for significant influence in steering procurement policy, collaborating with key departments, and representing UniSC in external procurement networks, all while directly supporting the university’s long-term goals.
About
Primary objectives of the position
The Director will lead and champion the University’s procurement function by enhancing end to end procurement processes, uplifting organisational procurement maturity, leveraging technology, driving efficiency and supporting the Strategic Procurement Team as trusted advisors. They will develop and implement best practice procurement and supply chain management, ensuring financially beneficial and successful contracts are developed from well considered supplier selection, supplier relationship management, informed pricing and terms negotiation and a shared commitment to risk management. Within the University, they will work closely with organisational leaders and agreement managers to ensure that the procurement function is recognised for delivering value at an operational, tactical and strategic level. Outside the University, they will help to identify and partner with critical suppliers while leading the University’s commitment to prioritising local suppliers.
Key Accountabilities
Specific accountabilities for this role include:
- Contribute to the University’s strategic direction by aligning procurement strategies with the institution's broader goals and objectives.
- Collaborate with key University staff to lift procurement capability and the effectiveness of the procurement and contract management function.
- Develop and lead robust procurement reporting and governance to ensure internal compliance with strategic procurement policy.
- Standardising procurement processes to support more consistent business led procurement activities.
- Develop, implement and utilise contracting strategies to negotiate with new and existing suppliers to secure advantageous contracts with beneficial buying terms and conditions.
- Facilitate effective partnerships between the University and its critical suppliers.
- Establish and chair the University’s Procurement Steering Committee.
- Collaborate with the business areas to adopt category management in key areas of spend.
- Apply risk management to the selection and management of suppliers to minimise the University’s exposure to supply chain and other risks.
- Implement spend management practices to improve spend efficiency and decrease expenditure.
- Build an organisational culture of managing procurement costs.
- Promote the use of cost and scenario analysis, and benchmarking in procurement planning.
- Identify and prevent spend leakage and promote the use of standing offer arrangements and panels.
- Design, implement and deliver innovative strategic procurement initiatives.
- Contribute to a positive and safe work environment for you and others, by modelling and promoting conduct that is culturally capable, inclusive, respectful, and ethical.
Selection Criteria
Applicants need to demonstrate they meet the following knowledge, skills and experience:
- Postgraduate degree in a related discipline, combined with significant relevant experience in strategic procurement and contract management.
- Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing strategic procurement team, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
- Demonstrated performance in successfully influencing and negotiating complex contracts with internal stakeholders and suppliers, particularly during a change process.
- Superior communication skills, with a strong ability to present complex information clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, including senior leadership.
- Exceptional capability in designing and implementing innovative procurement solutions that drive value, efficiency, and effectiveness across the university.
- Deep knowledge of procurement processes, products, and best practices, with a track record of applying this expertise to achieve strategic objectives.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence, build relationships, and effectively present arguments, fostering collaboration and consensus across the university.
- Proven aptitude for identifying appropriate actions, setting strategic goals, and meeting deadlines, demonstrating a results-oriented approach.
- A proactive innovator who anticipates changes, thinks creatively, and produces effective solutions to emerging procurement challenges.
- Comprehensive understanding of and compliance with university policies and practices, including Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) and Anti-Discrimination responsibilities, with a commitment to ongoing training and development.
Desirable:
- Active membership in relevant procurement professional bodies, such as AAPCM or SCLAA, demonstrating commitment to ongoing professional development.
- Demonstrated professional experience at a similar management level within a medium to large organisation.
- In-depth understanding of and experience in multiple sectors, including the tertiary education sector, providing a broad perspective and versatile approach to procurement management.
Recruitment process
How to apply
Your application should include:
- Resume
- A cover letter not to exceed one page. This statement should outline your skills, knowledge and qualities that will make you a success at UniSC.
- A response to key selection criteria
Closing date
Applications close: Sunday 3 November 2024
Contact
If you have any questions about the position or for a confidential discussion, please contact:
Kristie Husk, Talent Acquisition Manager or Sue Phillips, Chief Financial Officer
Candidates may be requested to undergo psychometric testing and give permission for verification of their tertiary qualifications.
Prospective candidates interested in applying for this position must demonstrate eligibility to work full-time in Australia.
The environment
We are a university of change-makers, striving to create a better tomorrow. Sustainability has been, and always will be, our priority. It’s what we stand for, at the heart of what we do and how we do it. It’s also our guiding reason why.
Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
- Top 4% globally for 'Impact'
- 16th globally for 'Life Below Water'
- 1st in Queensland for 'Zero Hunger'
- 1st in Queensland for ‘Climate Action’
UniSC provides a variety of modern facilities designed to enhance student learning and experience. These include nursing simulation labs, engineering workshops, creative industry studios, and sports precincts. The facilities support practical learning, innovation, and collaboration across multiple disciplines, helping students gain real-world skills in a dynamic environment. From health and engineering to creative arts and sports, UniSC's facilities cater to a wide range of educational and extracurricular activities that promote student engagement and success.
At UniSC, we believe that a better tomorrow is best achieved through collaborative partnership with our students, staff, community and industry.
Making impactful change through partnership
We can all benefit from the impact of this collaboration. This is why we strive to make industry engagement everybody’s business at UniSC. Together we can broaden industry experience opportunities, enhance graduate employment outcomes, and leverage business and industry development opportunities that contribute to a better tomorrow.
UniSC is a community which recognises and embraces diversity among our staff, students and community partnerships. We provide an inclusive environment where each person feels they belong and are respected, connected and empowered.
To achieve diversity and inclusion we have identified six focus areas. We acknowledge that as individuals, we all have multifaceted identities as encompassed in our understanding of diversity. Our focus areas are thus interconnected and come together in a unique way for each individual, embracing their experiences and personal perspectives.
Having a focused approach will allow us to accelerate a sense of belonging and greater inclusion for historically underrepresented individuals. Our focus areas include
- Learning and working at all life stages
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
- Cultural and linguistic diversity
- Disability and inclusion
- LGBTIQ+ and community
- Gender equity
We recognise that a positive workplace and team culture supports the work life integration of our staff. This drives positive engagement, innovation, high-performance, talent attraction and retention outcomes. Work-life integration encourages diversity and inclusion of staff, recognising needs at different stages of their careers, from family responsibilities to
cultural and community commitments.
Opening the door for women in leadership
UniSC is a proud recipient of the prestigious Athena SWAN Bronze Award, granted as part of the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) initiative which aims to address and improve gender equity in the science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) disciplines. Attaining an award is recognition of our ongoing commitment to improving gender equity and ensuring that women from diverse backgrounds, as well as underrepresented groups, are best positioned to reach their full potential.
Gender-diverse leadership at executive level is shown to increase an organisation’s problem-solving ability and its lateral and critical thinking skills. Gender diversity benefits all, as teams with gender diversity have been shown to enhance performance and create stronger job satisfaction and inclusive practice.
Work-life integration
UniSC is committed to creating a supportive working environment and have a range of guidelines, policies and procedures in place to ensure that staff of all genders feel supported in maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Arrangements that may support a healthy work-life balance include flexible work hours, purchase of additional leave credits, working from home, and a variety of leave options including parental and carer’s leave.
We recognise that a positive workplace and team culture supports the work life integration of our staff. This drives positive engagement, innovation, high-performance, talent attraction and retention outcomes. Work-life integration encourages diversity and inclusion of staff, recognising needs at different stages of their careers, from family responsibilities to
cultural and community commitments.
LGBTIQ+ and community
We are committed to creating an inclusive environment that facilitates equitable access and
full participation in employment and education and are focused on the inclusion of sexually and gender diverse identities.
As one of 65 Australian academic organisations – and the only university in Queensland – that demonstrated support for Australian Marriage Equality campaign in 2017, we remain committed to equality for sexually and gender diverse identities. The Ally Network is a UniSC support network for LGBTIQ+ students and staff to seek confidential support.
The University of the Sunshine Coast is structured around its areas of expertise. UniSC has five schools that cover health, business and creative industries, science, technology and engineering, law and society and education.
From our first campus in Sippy Downs which began welcoming students in 1996, UniSC has rapidly expanded its campus footprint to now include five award-winning campuses across South East Queensland, from Moreton Bay to the Fraser Coast and UniSC Adelaide. UniSC is a founding member of the Sunshine Coast Health Institute that brings together Griffith University, UniSC, TAFE Queensland and the Sunshine Coast University Hospital to deliver medicine, nursing and other allied health offerings in a specialist teaching institute that enables links to key researchers.
Our online offering has grown dramatically with almost 7,500 students enrolled in 2023 and 58 programs on offer in 2024. Delivery of learning to students is managed through the schools within a common set of principles.
Delivery of learning to students is managed through the schools within a common set of principles. UniSC recently underwent a large evolution of our learning and teaching to improve the reach and impact of classes. It has offered students access to a range of learning materials that are relevant and more meaningful than the traditional lecture. Examples include podcasts, interviews, simulations, screencasts, recorded discussions and formative quizzes, along with seminars, that are dependent on the learning outcomes of each individual course. Whilst learning materials are delivered through the universities learning management system, student engagement is achieved either on-campus in a
blended mode – with on-campus tutorials, practicals, seminars and laboratories – or through an online experience.
UniSC is home to some of the most advanced facilities in Australia, including simulated nursing and paramedic labs, advanced engineering technologies, and state-of-the-art creative industries’ facilities. Our modern laboratories and equipment replicate real life working environments, so students graduate work-ready.
A young university at the epicentre of progress
We’re a growing, comprehensive university focused on excellent teaching, ground-breaking research, championing sustainability, and producing award-winning alumni. UniSC’s academic schools have strong links to industry and professional practice and produce relevant and impactful research.
Our research explores the timeliest topics of our era, those with the most significance for the future, with a focus on: Health, medicine and wellbeing; Agriculture, aquaculture and forestry; Ecology and environment; and Human behaviour, work and society.
Research at UniSC
Addressing society’s most pressing mental health issues. We integrate world-class research, clinical services and education under one roof, because it enables fast translation of research breakthroughs into practice. Everything we do is underpinned by neuroscience. This uncovers promising new insights into mental health and how it is linked to our brain structure and function.
Clinical trials are safe, ethical medical research studies that aim to find a better way to manage particular diseases. In partnership with medical experts and industry, we are working with our communities to advance healthcare outcomes and improve access to cutting-edge medicine. UniSC Clinical Trials brings advanced treatments and breakthrough therapies to our regions.
Using bio-inspired approaches to contribute to drug discovery, disease diagnostics, and therapeutics. Improving societal outcomes and supporting ecosystems through a focus on aquaculture, conservation and biodiversity.
Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research (ACPIR)
ACPIR is a multidisciplinary research centre that provides a focal point for the expertise and
experience of researchers connected through their capacity to make a significant contribution to knowledge and impact in the areas of primary production, community health and the environment in the Pacific Islands region.
UniSC’s Forest Research Institute undertakes work in the broad spectrum of forestry research areas that make direct and meaningful contributions to the sustainability of our wooded landscapes. This includes important areas of studies such as smallholder and forest conservation-based research, along with work to ensure industries are meeting regulatory requirements and public expectations.
Centre for Human Factors and Sociotechnical Systems
Established in 2013 with the aim of developing a leading research capability in the areas of Human Factors, Sociotechnical Systems, and Systems thinking. The Centre was officially recognised as a Tier 2 research centre by UniSC in 2015 and currently comprises various academic, teaching and research support staff and PhD and Masters students.
Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre (ITRC)
The ITRC partners with Indigenous, migrant, refugee and culturally diverse communities to deliver impactful research nationally and internationally. The ITRC seeks to improve the lives and wellbeing of First Nations and around the globe. Nations and culturally diverse peoples in Australia.
Sustainable UniSC
Welcome to the University of the Sunshine Coast, UniSC for short. A young, fresh university driven by an unwavering belief that community and culture is just as important as a world-class education, delivered by world-class educators.
We may not be the biggest university, but we’re growing fast, and doing big things. Like ground-breaking research, championing sustainability, producing gold-winning athletes and award-winning alumni.
Our first campus, on the Sunshine Coast, opened its doors in 1996. Today, our award-winning facilities span five campuses across South East Queensland, an area of unique geographical importance. In fact, UniSC is the world’s only university with campuses on three connecting UNESCO biosphere reserves and the World Heritage Listed K’gari.
While we acknowledge and learn from the past, as a young university, we aren’t confined by the red tape found inside sandstone institutions. So you’re never going to be bombarded by stale traditions or hear phrases like “That’s the way we’ve always done it”.
Our job is to empower fresh thinkers and ambitious minds to create positive change and ways of thinking that moves everyone forward. And our students, staff and researchers work hard every day to do just that.
Together with our people, community and partners, we’re building a safe, sustainable, supportive, future-focused and fun learning environment, where lifelong friends are made, and opportunities are earned.
We invite you to learn, experience and gain the tools you need to not just create a better tomorrow for yourself, but for the communities and planet you live on.
We can’t wait to meet you.
The Organisation
UniSC’s organisational structure supports its ambitious agenda. Strong portfolios and flat, clear reporting lines facilitate accountability, flexibility and responsiveness.
Key statistics
A young university at the epicentre of progress. We’re a growing, comprehensive university focused on excellent teaching, ground-breaking research, championing sustainability, and producing award-winning alumni.
Our rankings
We’re a growing, comprehensive university focused on excellent teaching, ground-breaking research, championing sustainability, and producing award-winning alumni.
Annual Report
View our achievements, challenges and performance against key indicators in our Annual Report.
Strategic Plan
Our vision is to be Australia’s premier regional university. Our strategic plan outlines how we will achieve this vision. UniSC’s journey has been exceptional in achievement as a community-focused higher education institution.
Locations
UniSC stands as the world's sole university with campuses situated within three interconnected UNESCO biosphere reserves and the UNESCO World Heritage Listed K’gari.
Discover
A great lifestyle in a stunning region
Located on the stunning Sunshine Coast in Queensland, our campuses are situated in one of the most beautiful regions of Australia. With pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and a subtropical climate, the Sunshine Coast is the perfect place to live, work, and play.
Great people and a supportive culture
Our people are the heart of our university, and we're committed to fostering a culture of collaboration, inclusivity, and support. We believe that our staff should feel valued, respected, and appreciated for their contributions, and we work hard to create a supportive and engaging workplace environment.
Ambitious growth and development
As a university, we're dedicated to achieving ambitious goals and making a real impact in our community and beyond. We're constantly looking for ways to innovate, grow, and evolve, and we encourage our staff to be a part of this exciting journey.
A purpose-driven institution
We believe in making a positive impact in our community and beyond, and our staff play an integral role in helping us achieve this goal. With a focus on mental health, sustainability, and environmental research, we're committed to making a difference in the world.
The opportunity to make a real impact
At the University of the Sunshine Coast, we believe in giving our staff the opportunity to make a real impact in their roles. Whether it's through cutting-edge research, innovative teaching methods, or community engagement, our staff are empowered to make a difference and create a meaningful legacy.
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