Principal Commercial Specialist, Wellington

About the team | Mo te tima

At the Ministry of Social Development (MSD), our Procurement and Commercial Services team is the driving force behind sourcing the products and services that keep our organisation thriving.

We are a well-established crew with a vibrant culture, a bold vision, and a reputation for delivering excellence.

With several high-impact initiatives launching across MSD, we are looking for passionate, sharp-minded procurement professionals to help us take our delivery to the next level.

If you are ready to make a real difference and grow with a team that values innovation, collaboration, and results, we want to hear from you.

About the role | Mo te tunga

As a senior member of our Procurement and Commercial Services team, you will take the lead and deliver procurements for some of MSD's most complex and high-value commercial initiatives.

Your influence will help to shape the way we partner, procure, and deliver value across the organisation.

Here's how you will make an impact :

• Craft and execute sourcing strategies that align with MSD's long-term vision and meet the evolving needs of our stakeholders.
• Lead high-stakes negotiations to secure robust commercial outcomes and ensure supplier commitments support our strategic goals.
• Foster strong supplier partnerships that unlock innovation, resilience, and value beyond cost.
• Manage critical relationships across all levels—internally and externally—to drive collaboration and commercial success.
• Develop and mentor junior team members to enable and support delivery and capability building.

What you bring | Ou pumanawatanga

We are looking for a seasoned professional who brings both strategic insight and practical know-how to the table.

You will thrive in this role if you have :

• Extensive expertise in senior-level commercial procurement, with a track record of delivering value in complex environments.
• Proven leadership capability, including the ability to guide and inspire diverse project teams.
• Strong change management skills and a commitment to embedding best practice across procurement functions.
• Exceptional supplier relationship and contract management that fosters collaboration and long-term value creation.
• A solid grasp of the Machinery of Government and public sector procurement policy frameworks.

Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tunga

A copy of the position description can be found here.

Principal Commercial Specialist position description

Salary | Utu-a-tau : $142,

• $177,

Applications close | Ka kati nga tono hei te : Sunday 23 November

About us | Mo matou

The Ministry of Social Development is a people-centred organisation.

We're in communities across the motu, working with partners to help New Zealanders be safe, strong and independent.

We provide social policy and advice to government and assistance, including income, employment and housing support to people of all ages, families, whanau and communities.

As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner we are committed to supporting and enabling Maori, whanau, hapu, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.

Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve.

We care about the wellbeing and success of our people and provide a supportive and inclusive working environment where people can thrive and be who they are.

How to apply | Me pehea te tuku tono

To apply, click the 'Apply Now' button to upload your CV, cover letter and complete the online application form.

Note : Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key responsibilities listed in the position description.

All applications must be made online.

If this is not possible or if you have any queries, please contact us at

Internal MSD Employees – please apply through your myHR portal at work.

This will ensure that your myHR employee profile is visible as internal candidate.

Joining us | Ko te hono mai

Joining MSD means being part of a whanau that celebrates the diversity each individual represents.

We show manaaki, we care about the wellbeing and success of people and want everyone to thrive and be who they are in a supportive and inclusive working environment.

We work together to make a difference for communities while doing the right thing with integrity.

You can find out more about our values here.

If you have any support or accessibility requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.