Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is dedicated to serving all New Zealanders. Through integration and collaboration, we're building a health system underpinned by partnership, equity, sustainability, whānau-centred care, and excellence.About the RoleAs Commercial Director - reporting into the Procurement, Supply Chain and Health Technology Management (PSC&HTM) Directorate, you will be at the forefront of transforming how Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora manages over $9 billion in annual spend, covering procurement, supply chain, health technology management, and clinical product stewardship.You will lead a national team of over 140 FTE, driving commercial excellence through strategic sourcing, category management, supplier performance, and contract governance. Your role will be pivotal in embedding nationally standardised systems and processes, while ensuring local responsiveness and clinical co-design.This position is not just about managing contracts, it's about shaping the future of healthcare delivery. You'll be responsible for delivering sustainable value, reducing fragmentation, and fostering innovation across a vast and diverse supplier ecosystem.You'll work closely with senior leaders, clinicians, government agencies, and international partners to ensure our commercial practices are world class and support a well functioning health system that improves the health of all New Zealanders.About the Team/Service/ LocationThe PSC&HTM team at Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora are a national function with a vast and complex scope. They play a critical role in ensuring the availability, safety, and efficiency of clinical and non-clinical goods and services across the health system. Responsible for managing and influencing over $9 billion in annual spend, the team are central to delivering high-quality patient outcomes and standardising product usage across regions.About youYou are an experienced commercial leader with a strategic mindset and a deep understanding of how procurement, supply chain, and health technology management can drive transformation across a national health system. You bring a wealth of expertise in strategic sourcing, category management, supplier engagement, and contract governance. You've operated at executive and board levels, influencing national strategy and delivering measurable commercial outcomes in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.Your leadership style is inclusive and grounded in performance. You know how to build and lead high performing teams, foster innovation, and create a culture of excellence and accountability. You're adept at navigating ambiguity and complexity, and you bring clarity and confidence to decision making.You'll be the driving force behind Health New Zealand's commercial excellence, ensuring that our procurement and supply chain practices are not only efficient and effective, but also equitable, sustainable, and they deliver real, measurable outcomes for patients, staff, and communities across Aotearoa.You will bring:
A tertiary degree in a relevant field
15+ years of commercial experience, including 5+ years in senior leadership roles
Proven ability to lead large scale commercial functions with significant spend under management
Expertise in strategic category management, procurement, and sourcing execution
Experience working at executive/board level and influencing national strategy
Strong financial acumen and proficiency in commercial systems
International experience and understanding of global commercial trends
Experience mentoring and developing high performing teams
Experience working in multicultural and diverse environments, with a strong understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022
Working for Health New ZealandHealth New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.How to ApplyTo apply please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers' portal by 4th September 2025 at 11.59pm. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Shannon Elder atWe will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position.
