Principal Commercial Manager – Construction / Infrastructure / Utilities

Transpower

  • Wellington
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 6 days ago
  • Provide commercial expertise to support business operations and projects
  • Develop and implement procurement and commercial strategies
  • Negotiate contracts and resolve claims with suppliers
Transpower sits at the centre of the New Zealand electricity industry. We plan, build, operate, and maintain the National Grid - $5B of assets - critical infrastructure that makes up the high voltage backbone transmitting electricity around the country 24/7.About the TeamWithin our Corporate Services Division, led by the CFO, the Procurement Team provides a centre led procurement function that works to achieve enterprise level outcomes from over $500 million of procurement spend per annum across 1600 domestic and international suppliers.The team works to empower a more sustainable energy future for New Zealand by providing expert procurement and commercial management capability, and enabling supply chain functions to our operational divisions, driving both financial and non-financial benefits over the long term.The OpportunityWorking alongside our Strategic Commercial Manager you will provide leadership and commercial support into negotiating and agreeing contracts, advice on variations and claims, as well as advice on the best contract structures to use.You will provide input into the development of procurement strategies, including market analysis, sourcing models, reporting and supplier relationships, and play a key role in the effective implementation of commercial strategies, contracts, procurement processes, negotiations, and the management of key contracts and supplier relationships.You will support organisational capability development through the provision of training and support to project managers on contracts being used, identifying areas where cost savings can be made, whilst identifying risk to the business and projects, as well as running procurement activities and category management for major capital items.Adept at establishing and maintaining relationships and commercial frameworks within which delivery groups can effectively operate, you will further apply tactical commercial approaches to ensure the safe delivery of Transpower's works programmes whilst minimising risk from key contracts and suppliers.What will you bring?Your well-developed communication and relationship management skills and ability to drive clarity will be underpinned with solid commercial and/or procurement experience, ideally in the electricity, utilities or construction sectors.Your CV and cover letter will be reinforced by relevant qualifications (Engineering, Business, Commerce, Law) and/or equivalent experience and reflect:
  • Proven experience managing and developing supplier relationships and developing the provision of commercial advice at a Senior Management level.
  • Construction and delivery contracts expertise such as NZS:3910, NZS:3916, FIDIC (Yellow book).
  • Negotiating complex, high value, high risk contracts and disputes.
  • Experience mentoring and training others to lift organisational commercial acumen.
  • Leading procurement processes, contracts, supplier relationships, projects, and programmes with large budget ($10m+ per annum).
  • Commercial and procurement experience for the supply of
  • complex construction and delivery projects
  • outsourced service provider relationships for project and maintenance services, or
  • complex OEM/integrator delivered design, supply and install solutions
While not essential - understanding of and experience with Government Procurement Rules and probity and direct commercial and procurement experience in the electricity / energy, construction or utilities sectors including project delivery and maintenance would be advantageous.Why join TranspowerIt's exciting! On offer is intellectual stimulation, working with the scale, criticality, and complexity of our lifeline utility. It is both stimulating and challenging. We are an equal opportunity employer and value the diversity of thought that comes from our people of over 28 nationalities.You'll join a fun, hardworking team in a family friendly and flexible environment with great employee benefits - check them out here and on the job learning, development, and career progression over time.To join us as in this key commercial role, please review the position description via our website and apply without delay.Role closes Tuesday 16th September 2025 however applications will be reviewed as they are received, and you may be contacted for an initial exploratory conversation to expedite shortlisting.Existing eligibility to work in New Zealand is required.Interested in knowing more, and seeing our Wellington head office? Watch a brief videoInternet Explorer is out of date and no longer supported.Please use one of these following browsers instead: , , .Job DetailsPosition Description
Reference # 35901
Posted on 29 Aug 2025
Closes on 16 Sep 2025 23:55
Location(s) Wellington
Expertise Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Engineering Science, Mechatronics, Maths/Physics, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Engineering, Legal, Procurement, Project Management
Job level(s) Experienced
Work type(s) Permanent Full Time

Transpower