Head of Procurement (Mining & Natural Resources)

Company Overview

Our client is a publicly traded mining and natural resources company headquartered in Brisbane, Australia, specializing in exploration, development, and operation of premium gold and base metal assets across Papua New Guinea. The company is engaged in a significant redevelopment project focused on expanding production and revitalizing legacy mining assets toward sustainable, long-term operations. Operating amid one of the most challenging logistical mining environments globally, it manages a wide array of infrastructure including underground mines, processing plants, remote accommodation camps, transport networks, and international supply chains. The company upholds principles of operational excellence, responsible resource extraction, international safety standards, environmental responsibility, community engagement, and sustainable growth across its portfolio.

Role Summary

The Head of Procurement is a senior leadership role tasked with overseeing and enhancing the end-to-end procurement function spanning Australia and Papua New Guinea. This position entails setting procurement governance, crafting sourcing strategies, nurturing supplier relationships, and ensuring consistent availability of materials critical to exploration, development, and mining operations. The role includes close collaboration with departments such as Finance, Logistics, Project Management, and Operations, ensuring procurement aligns with project timelines, budget requirements, and operational priorities. Frequent travel to Papua New Guinea will be required to support operational execution and procurement challenges, alongside developing local procurement strengths.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and implement procurement strategies aligned with operational and financial goals and project schedules.
• Build and manage strategic partnerships with suppliers, contractors, freight handlers, customs agents, and service providers in Australia and Papua New Guinea.
• Create preferred supplier agreements, procurement frameworks, and lead strategic sourcing to enhance supply reliability and cost-efficiency.
• Lead recruitment, mentorship, and development of the procurement team across corporate and site levels, reinforcing local capabilities.
• Establish and maintain procurement policies, SOPs, authority limits, and governance processes to ensure audit readiness and compliance.
• Directly tackle complex procurement issues such as customs delays, logistics constraints, supplier disputes, foreign exchange considerations, and cross-border purchasing challenges.
• Coordinate with Finance, Project Teams, and Site Leadership to synchronize procurement with production demands and financial plans.
• Drive continual cost optimization through negotiations, performance management, and process improvements.
• Maintain compliance with corporate governance, ethical sourcing standards, anti-bribery laws, and modern slavery prevention while managing supplier risks.

Candidate Requirements

• Australian citizenship or work eligibility with capacity to travel regularly to Papua New Guinea and secure necessary permits/visas.
• Formal education in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business, Engineering, or related fields.
• At least 10 years of procurement, supply chain, or strategic sourcing experience.
• 3 to 5 years in senior procurement leadership roles within mining, mineral exploration, heavy resources, engineering, energy, or heavy construction sectors.
• Demonstrated success in establishing procurement structures, governance frameworks, SOPs, and leading procurement change programs.
• Extensive expertise managing procurement in complex international and multi-currency environments involving AUD, PGK, and USD.
• In-depth knowledge of procurement lifecycle including contract negotiation, supplier management, framework contracts, purchasing governance, inventory control, and invoice verification.
• Strong commercial insight aligning procurement with operational goals, project timelines, and fiscal accountability.
• Resourceful and hands-on approach to resolving procurement and operational issues in remote, logistically difficult environments.
• Excellent leadership, stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and cross-disciplinary collaboration capabilities.
• Fluent professional communication skills in English, both written and spoken.