• Establish and lead our Procurement function

• Transform and uplift enterprise-wide procurement capability

• Hybrid work options, competitive salary, bonus, comprehensive insurance covers, and generous leave benefits

Partners Life is one of New Zealand’s largest life and health insurance companies. As part of the Dai-ichi Life Group, a leading global insurance provider, we are entering an exciting new chapter of growth and opportunity.

We know the industry needs bold thinkers and passionate people to help reshape the future of insurance, and that is exactly who we are looking for. We are committed to doing things differently, lifting industry standards, challenging the status quo, and delivering real value through innovation and personalised advice.

If you are looking to join a company that’s redefining the insurance landscape and backed by the strength of a global group, Partners Life is the place to grow your career and make a real impact.

About the opportunity

We are delighted to announce an exciting opportunity for an experienced Head of Procurement to join our Finance team and shape the future of our sourcing and commercial landscape. In this highly influential role, you will establish and lead our centralised procurement function for indirect goods and services, transforming and uplifting enterprise‑wide procurement capability while ensuring our sourcing strategies align with our long‑term business objectives.

You will deliver value‑creating sourcing and supplier management while continuing to build the infrastructure that enable our procurement operations. You will also act as a central point of contact for the wider business, educating them on third‑party provider management, advocating financial discipline, embedding new technologies, and promoting smarter, more efficient ways of working.

Acting as a trusted advisor to executives, senior management and across the wider business, you will influence key decisions, mitigate commercial risk, and enable optimal investment of business funds through insight-driven procurement. You will:

• Lead the development and execution of the organisational procurement strategy and transformation roadmap.

• Establish robust procurement governance through policies, frameworks, approval structures, and compliance with legal and ethical standards.

• Implement efficient end‑to‑end procurement processes, SOPs, contract management practices, and audit‑ready controls.

• Oversee strategic sourcing activities, lead major supplier negotiations & engagements, and enhance organisation‑wide spend and performance insights.

• Uplift business wide procurement capability and promote best procurement practices by providing training, support and guidance

• Define requirements for procurement technology, recommend solutions, and drive digitisation and automation initiatives.

• Set and track spend, key performance metrics for procurement initiatives and supplier relationships.

About you

You are a seasoned procurement professional with extensive experience and expertise in complex commercial negotiations, strategic sourcing, and supplier management. You bring a strong track record of designing, leading, and delivering enterprise‑wide procurement programmes, including establishing and transforming procurement functions and uplifting organisational capability.

A natural leader and influencer, you build strong, trusted relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders and suppliers to influence decisions, reduce cost and drive efficiency.

You are also passionate about continuous improvement, proactively identifying smarter and more innovative ways of working to enhance efficiency and improve business performance.

Other attributes that may help you succeed in the role:

• Tertiary qualification in business, finance or other relevant discipline

• 10+ years’ experience in procurement with deep expertise in strategic sourcing and establishing/transforming procurement function (ideally within financial services or tech industry)

• Proven success managing major supplier relationships and complex negotiations

• Strong influencing skills with ability to engage senior stakeholders

• Excellent communication, negotiation and relationship-building capabilities

• Demonstrated commercial acumen and analytical skills

What We Offer

At Partners Life, we believe our people are our greatest asset and are proud to invest in their growth, wellbeing, and success. Here are just some of the benefits you will enjoy as part of our family (some benefits apply to permanent employees only):

• Comprehensive training and ongoing support

• Genuine career development and progression opportunities

• Participation in our discretionary bonus scheme after 12-month service

• Life insurance and income protection covers at our cost, plus discounted medical insurance (permanent employees only)

• Birthday leave and long service leave

• Maternity leave salary top up, reduced hours options, and secondary parental leave

• Flexible hybrid working arrangements

• Modern offices with stunning views in the heart of Takapuna and Wellington City.

Apply now!

If this sounds like the opportunity you’ve been waiting for, APPLY online with your CV and cover letter (optional) highlighting your relevant skills and experience.

To be eligible to apply for this role, you must have the legal right to work in New Zealand.

We are not engaging recruitment agencies for this role.