Commercial Portfolio Manager, Wellington
Date: 14 Jan 2026
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
- Be part of a collaborative, high-energy team that values connection, innovation, and shared success
- Lead enterprise-level commercial strategy and delivery of strategic projects
- Drive supplier relationship management and commercial performance across a critical portfolio
- Work at the heart of government in Wellington, where your expertise will help shape meaningful outcomes
About the team | Mō te tīma
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're a well-established team with a vibrant culture, a bold vision, and a drive for delivering excellence.
With several high-impact initiatives launching across MSD, we’re looking for a passionate, sharp-minded procurement and commercial professional to help us take our delivery to the next level. If you're 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 | Mō te tūnga
As a senior leader in our Procurement and Commercial Services team, you’ll provide enterprise-level commercial leadership—setting and implementing commercial strategy across a defined portfolio and leading delivery of special, strategic, and major projects. Your influence will help to shape the way we partner, procure, and deliver value across the organisation.
Here’s how you’ll make an impact:
- Recommend commercial models, and lead development and implementation of Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) strategies.
- Lead high-stakes negotiations to secure robust commercial outcomes and ensure supplier commitments support our strategic goals.
- Lead and support high-value, complex, and cross-agency projects from planning through delivery, providing strong commercial leadership across business case, market engagement, evaluation, negotiation, and implementation.
- Foster strong supplier partnerships that unlock innovation, resilience, and value beyond cost.
- Craft and execute sourcing strategies that align with MSD’s long-term vision and meet the evolving needs of our stakeholders.
- Lift organisational capability in contract management through coaching, tools, and practice improvement.
- Manage critical relationships across all levels—internally and externally—to drive collaboration and commercial success.
This is a fixed term opportunity for up to 12 months.
What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga
We’re looking for a senior commercial professional who combines strategic insight with practical know-how. You’ll thrive in this role if you have:
- 9+ years senior procurement/commercial experience or 5+ years in procurement/commercial management.
- Proven track record in setting and implementing commercial strategy and leading complex procurement or commercial projects.
- Expertise in SRM and contract performance oversight for strategic or high-risk suppliers.
- High-level commercial acumen—able to integrate strategic, financial, and contractual considerations in complex environments.
- A solid grasp of the Machinery of Government and public sector procurement policy frameworks.
- Advanced stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and issue resolution skills.
- Strong change management skills and a commitment to embedding best practice across procurement functions.
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga
A copy of the position description can be found here. Commercial Portfolio Manager, position description
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $161,811.00 - $214,131.00
Applications close | Ka kati ngā tono hei te: Wednesday 21 January 2026
About us | Mō mātou
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, whānau and communities.
As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner we are committed to supporting and enabling Māori, whānau, hapū, 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 pēhea 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 jobs@msd.govt.nz
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 whānau 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.
