What’s on OfferOptional 9-day fortnight, RDO every second FridayPermanent, full-time position with opportunities for career advancementGreat perks including salary sacrificing, novated leasing, retail discounts, insurance savings, purchased leave, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)The OpportunityThis vacancy has arisen due to team growth and internal promotions within Austal’s Procurement team. The Procurement Lead will oversee a broad range of procurement activities across goods, services, and high-value RFQs related to vessels in maintenance, ensuring business needs are met while delivering value for money. The role covers the full procurement lifecycle, from sourcing and supplier engagement to contract administration and compliance.As the primary contact for internal stakeholders, the Procurement Lead will provide expert advice and operational insights to optimise procurement practices, ensure alignment with organisational goals, and support continuous improvement. What’s InvolvedDeveloping long-term procurement strategies to align with business objectivesProviding expert advice and strategic insights to optimise procurement practicesAnalysing market trends, supplier landscapes, and identifying opportunities for cost savings or process improvementsCollaborating with senior leadership on procurement planning and performanceOverseeing the procurement process from sourcing to supplier engagementManaging day-to-day contract administration, ensuring compliance, and resolving issuesMaintaining supplier relationships, managing supplier performance, and negotiating termsLeading procurement activities for major RFQs related to scheduled vessel maintenance tasks, ensuring alignment with operational timelines, compliance requirements, supplier engagement protocols, and broader organisation requirements.Implementing procurement strategies and policies at the operational levelManaging purchase orders, overseeing bid processes, and facilitating award of RFQs in line with procurement governance requirements.Ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery of goods, services, and procurement outcomes through proactive planning, sourcing execution, and supplier coordination.Providing procurement support to internal stakeholders and managing associated administrative and system related tasks. You’ll NeedEssentialTertiary-level qualifications in procurement, supply chain, contractual law, or a similar fieldExcellent influencing and negotiation skillsStrong relationship-building and stakeholder management capabilitiesExperience working in a computerised ERP environment, preferably IFSDesirable10+ years of supply chain/procurement experienceExperience in an engineering/manufacturing or equivalent businessCIPS qualifications in supply chain management Why AustalCompetitive compensation and benefits packageProfessional development and training opportunitiesA supportive and dynamic work environmentOpportunities for career advancement within our growing organisation Our ValuesOur global team is guided by a universal set of values that shape every decision we make. We believe putting our values into practice creates the greatest benefits for our shareholders, customers, employees, suppliers, and the communities we serve:Excellence – Customer Focus – Integrity – TeamworkAt Austal, we are committed to providing a safe and inclusive work environment for all. We believe that achieving greater diversity enhances our operations, and as such, we actively encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, individuals from all backgrounds, ages, sexual orientations, and those living with disability. AUD Cairns 4870

Procurement Lead

 What’s on Offer

  • Optional 9-day fortnight, RDO every second Friday
  • Permanent, full-time position with opportunities for career advancement
  • Great perks including salary sacrificing, novated leasing, retail discounts, insurance savings, purchased leave, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The Opportunity

This vacancy has arisen due to team growth and internal promotions within Austal’s Procurement team. The Procurement Lead will oversee a broad range of procurement activities across goods, services, and high-value RFQs related to vessels in maintenance, ensuring business needs are met while delivering value for money. The role covers the full procurement lifecycle, from sourcing and supplier engagement to contract administration and compliance.

As the primary contact for internal stakeholders, the Procurement Lead will provide expert advice and operational insights to optimise procurement practices, ensure alignment with organisational goals, and support continuous improvement.

 

What’s Involved

  • Developing long-term procurement strategies to align with business objectives
  • Providing expert advice and strategic insights to optimise procurement practices
  • Analysing market trends, supplier landscapes, and identifying opportunities for cost savings or process improvements
  • Collaborating with senior leadership on procurement planning and performance
  • Overseeing the procurement process from sourcing to supplier engagement
  • Managing day-to-day contract administration, ensuring compliance, and resolving issues
  • Maintaining supplier relationships, managing supplier performance, and negotiating terms
  • Leading procurement activities for major RFQs related to scheduled vessel maintenance tasks, ensuring alignment with operational timelines, compliance requirements, supplier engagement protocols, and broader organisation requirements.
  • Implementing procurement strategies and policies at the operational level
  • Managing purchase orders, overseeing bid processes, and facilitating award of RFQs in line with procurement governance requirements.
  • Ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery of goods, services, and procurement outcomes through proactive planning, sourcing execution, and supplier coordination.
  • Providing procurement support to internal stakeholders and managing associated administrative and system related tasks.

 

You’ll Need

Essential

  • Tertiary-level qualifications in procurement, supply chain, contractual law, or a similar field
  • Excellent influencing and negotiation skills
  • Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management capabilities
  • Experience working in a computerised ERP environment, preferably IFS

Desirable

  • 10+ years of supply chain/procurement experience
  • Experience in an engineering/manufacturing or equivalent business
  • CIPS qualifications in supply chain management

 

Why Austal

  • Competitive compensation and benefits package
  • Professional development and training opportunities
  • A supportive and dynamic work environment
  • Opportunities for career advancement within our growing organisation

 

Our Values

Our global team is guided by a universal set of values that shape every decision we make. We believe putting our values into practice creates the greatest benefits for our shareholders, customers, employees, suppliers, and the communities we serve:
Excellence – Customer Focus – Integrity – Teamwork

At Austal, we are committed to providing a safe and inclusive work environment for all. We believe that achieving greater diversity enhances our operations, and as such, we actively encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, individuals from all backgrounds, ages, sexual orientations, and those living with disability.

  • Posted Date 06 Aug 2025
  • Location Cairns
    QLD / Australia
  • Industry Procurement, Manufacturing & Transport
  • Job Type Full Time
  • Salary Not provided