Head of Procurement - Mining & Natural Resources

Company Background

The client is a publicly listed mining and natural resources firm on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). Their operations focus on exploring, developing, and managing high-value gold and base metal projects throughout Papua New Guinea. Headquartered in Brisbane, this company is actively engaged in a large-scale redevelopment and expansion of their mining operations, aiming to convert aging assets into sustainable, long-term production sites. They operate in one of the most logistically demanding mining regions globally, overseeing underground mining, mineral processing plants, remote accommodation camps, transport logistics, and international supply chains. Commitment to safety, environmental responsibility, community engagement, and operational excellence underpins their growth strategy across exploration and production activities.

Role Summary

As the Head of Procurement, you will hold a senior leadership role overseeing the end-to-end procurement function across Australia and Papua New Guinea. This position involves formulating and implementing procurement strategies, managing supplier partnerships, and maintaining continuous material supply to support the exploration, development, and mining operations. Working collaboratively with Finance, Logistics, Project Management, and Operations teams, you will guide procurement governance, contract management, supplier evaluation, and cross-border sourcing. The position demands frequent travel to Papua New Guinea to assist in operational delivery, troubleshoot supply chain bottlenecks, and enhance local procurement capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement procurement strategies aligned with the company's operational goals, project timelines, and budget constraints.
• Forge and maintain strategic partnerships with suppliers, contractors, freight forwarders, customs agents, and service providers spanning Australia and Papua New Guinea.
• Create preferred supplier agreements, standardized procurement frameworks, and strategic sourcing programs to ensure supply continuity and optimize commercial benefits.
• Recruit, mentor, and lead a high-performing procurement team across corporate offices and field sites, building local procurement skills and capacities.
• Establish and enforce procurement policies, SOPs, delegation authorities, and governance mechanisms that promote compliance and support audit readiness.
• Resolve intricate procurement challenges including customs delays, logistics constraints, supplier conflicts, foreign currency issues, and complex cross-border procurement tasks.
• Collaborate closely with Finance, Project Managers, and Site Leadership to synchronize procurement efforts with production requirements and financial plans.
• Implement cost-saving initiatives through strategic sourcing, effective negotiations, and ongoing supplier performance management.
• Ensure procurement processes adhere to corporate governance standards, ethical sourcing, anti-bribery regulations, and obligations relating to modern slavery, while actively managing supplier risks.

Candidate Profile

• Australian citizenship or legal right to work in Australia, including capacity for regular travel to Papua New Guinea with necessary permits or visas.
• Relevant academic qualifications in Procurement, Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, Engineering or related fields.
• A minimum of 10 years’ experience in procurement, supply chain management or strategic sourcing roles.
• At least 3 to 5 years in senior procurement leadership positions within mining, mineral exploration, heavy resources, engineering, energy, or heavy construction sectors.
• Proven track record of building and leading procurement teams, developing governance frameworks, implementing SOPs, and driving procurement transformation projects.
• Experienced in managing procurement across complex international environments involving multiple currencies such as AUD, PGK, and USD.
• Deep knowledge of comprehensive procurement activities including contract negotiation, supplier relationship management, framework agreements, governance practices, inventory control, and three-way match reconciliation.
• Strong commercial insight aligned with operational targets, project timelines, and financial outcomes.
• Resourceful and hands-on approach with capability to resolve supply chain issues in remote and challenging operational contexts.
• Excellent leadership, stakeholder communication, negotiation, and cross-team collaboration skills.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is essential.

Additional Information

The role requires Brisbane-based work with regular rotational travel and longer assignments on-site in Papua New Guinea to support operational excellence.