Supplier Relationship Manager | Wellington | Permanent
Date: 22 Feb 2026
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
- Shape, implement and govern best practice commercial frameworks
- Influence and manage large, complex ICT contracts and negotiations
- Be a trusted advisor
Lead strategic supplier relationships across MSD’s IST ecosystem.
About our team | Mō te tīma:
Every week, around 1.4 million New Zealanders count on MSD for income support and services to connect with work, housing and better lives for their families.
Information Systems & Technology (IST) provides the technologies, innovation and expertise that enable MSD staff and partners to deliver these essential services, today and into the future.
About the role | Mō te tūnga:
Reporting to our GM Technology Supplier Relationships, you will provide strategic commercial oversight and direction, embed supplier relationship management frameworks and lead contract negotiations aligned to MSD’s values and strategic goals.
You’ll lead and manage strategic supplier partnerships across our technology portfolio. This role is pivotal to ensuring strong governance, strategic supplier engagements, effective contract management and optimal commercial outcomes for our ICT services.
You’ll be working in a team that values collaboration, curiosity, and innovation. You’ll have the opportunity to influence commercial decisions, shape supplier relationships, and contribute to the evolution of our technology landscape.
Key responsibilities
- Lead strategic supplier relationship and stakeholder management across IST
- Develop strong relationships wit key ICT suppliers, fostering collaboration and performance improvement
- Lead key contract negotiations, renewals, and commercial discussions to deliver value and mitigate risk
- Establish and run supplier governance forums, performance reviews and escalation pathways
- Identify, assess and manage commercial risk across significant contracts/programmes
- Embed best practice commercial management to improve predictability, transparency and accountability
- Champion continuous improvement to lift IST’s commercial capability and operating effectiveness
We’re committed to creating a workplace that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. Diverse perspectives strengthen our mahi, and we value the unique contributions everyone brings to the team.
Please contact us if there is any support that we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is accessible to you.
What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga:
You’re a proactive, forward thinking influencer with strong commercial acumen and a track record delivering large scale ICT contracts. You’ll bring:
- Exceptional relationship building and influencing skills across diverse stakeholders
- Significant experience constructing and negotiating complex, high value ICT contracts including Cloud hosting and SaaS based products and services
- Experience in both public and private sectors, with working knowledge of NZ Government Procurement Rules and GCDO digital policy/processes
- Proven leadership of commercial aspects for large IT projects/programmes/transformation
- Ability to coach and mentor others in sound commercial and contract management
- Strong stakeholder management coupled with robust negotiation skillsCritical thinking and problem solving capability, with the ability to see the big picture
- A track record enabling predictability, reliability, transparency and accountability in Commercial and go to market strategies
- Qualification in Commercial, Law or similar discipline would be an advantage
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:
A copy of the postion description can be found here. Supplier Relationship Manager position description.
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $163,784.00 - $203,820.00
Applications close | Ka kati ngā tono hei te: Sunday 8 March 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.
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:
Before you submit your application, please take a moment to review our guidance to understand how AI can best support your application. Candidate Guidance - Responsible AI use in recruitment
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.
