6-Month Contract | Immediate Start | Perth Based
We are seeking an experienced Principal Procurement / Value Chain Specialist for a six-month engagement supporting a major national sourcing program within a large-scale resources environment.
This is a senior procurement role focused on strategic sourcing, category strategy, procurement planning and value creation across complex labour and services spend portfolios. We are specifically seeking candidates with a strong sourcing strategy and category planning skillset, rather than a predominantly contracts administration or post-award contract management background.
Working closely with senior procurement leaders, you will help shape sourcing direction, align stakeholders, leverage market intelligence and deliver sustainable commercial value through disciplined procurement practices.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Sourcing & Category Planning
- Develop and lead end-to-end sourcing strategies aligned with business objectives and value drivers.
- Develop category strategies, sourcing plans and procurement roadmaps, including governance, milestones and resource requirements.
- Support the development and delivery of a major national sourcing program, partnering closely with senior procurement leaders and business stakeholders.
- Identify and prioritise sourcing opportunities across labour and services spend categories.
- Conduct spend, market, supplier and benchmarking analysis to inform sourcing direction and commercial recommendations.
- Develop fit-for-purpose go-to-market, packaging, contracting and negotiation strategies.
- Reduce total cost of ownership through informed sourcing decisions, market analysis and risk-based trade-offs.
- Assess and manage supply market risks while maintaining safety, operational and business continuity requirements.
- Identify opportunities to optimise cost, risk, service, value, innovation and supplier performance.
- Develop fact-based business cases and procurement recommendations to support decision-making.
- Lead complex end-to-end sourcing initiatives, including market engagement, RFx development, supplier evaluation, commercial assessment, negotiation and award.
- Establish robust evaluation frameworks and commercially sound decision-making processes.
- Lead negotiations focused on sustainable value creation, not just cost reduction.
- Partner with Legal, Finance, Operations, HR, Technical and Project stakeholders on commercial and sourcing strategies.
- Identify, quantify and validate savings opportunities through sourcing and category initiatives.
- Support implementation of sourcing strategies and ensure commercial benefits are realised.
- Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders and business leaders.
- Lead cross-functional stakeholder alignment, challenging assumptions and influencing decisions through fact-based analysis.
- Provide executive-ready recommendations, commercial insights and sourcing options.
- Act as a trusted procurement advisor across operational, corporate and project functions.
- Facilitate decisions in complex, fast-paced and often ambiguous environments.
- Ensure sourcing strategies align with procurement governance, risk and commercial requirements.
- Establish appropriate governance and decision-making frameworks.
- Maintain awareness of external market dynamics, labour market trends, supplier capability and emerging risks.
- Identify opportunities to improve procurement processes, systems and ways of working.
- Contribute to broader procurement transformation and value-chain initiatives.
You will demonstrate:
- Significant experience developing and implementing category strategies, sourcing plans and procurement roadmaps across complex spend portfolios.
- Proven ability to develop and execute sourcing strategies that deliver measurable commercial value and savings outcomes.
- Demonstrated experience identifying, shaping and executing sourcing opportunities through structured category planning and market engagement.
- Strong commercial acumen and proven negotiation capability.
- Experience leading sourcing initiatives across operational, corporate and project environments.
- Strong analytical capability, including spend analysis, supplier analysis, market intelligence and savings validation.
- Ability to cut through complex information and provide clear, commercially sound recommendations.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, including at senior leadership level.
- Confidence to challenge established thinking and drive improved outcomes.
- Experience with SAP, Ariba or similar procurement and ERP platforms.
- A proactive and continuous improvement mindset.
- Experience within mining, resources, energy, infrastructure, heavy industry or major capital projects.
- Experience sourcing labour, workforce, recruitment, contingent workforce, labour hire or site services categories.
- Experience across engineering services, technical services, MRO, capital equipment or operational procurement categories.
- Category strategy, supplier performance, sourcing optimisation or procurement transformation experience.
- Relevant CIPS, procurement, supply chain, commercial or business qualifications.
We are particularly interested in candidates who have operated in roles such as:
- Principal Procurement
- Principal Value Chain
- Senior Category Manager
- Category Manager
- Strategic Sourcing Manager
- Procurement Business Partner
- Procurement Manager
- Procurement Lead
- Category Strategy Lead
What's on Offer
- Six-month contract engagement
- Immediate start
- Perth-based role
- Opportunity to contribute to a high-profile national sourcing program
- Exposure to senior stakeholders and complex strategic procurement initiatives
- Broad category, sourcing and commercial exposure
- Competitive rate aligned with skills and experience
At Chandler Macleod, we are committed to fostering a diverse workforce where everyone is welcome. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, neurodiverse, people living with a disability and the LGBTIQA+ community.
You can read more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion at https://www.chandlermacleod.com/diversity-and-inclusion.
