Lead Commercial Procurement Manager

About us

Southern Cross Health Insurance is shaping a healthier Aotearoa New Zealand. Our purpose is simple: empowering our members to live well for longer. We're here to give peace of mind through timely access to quality care, inspire healthier living, and lead positive change across the health system. As a New Zealand-owned, member-based organisation, we're building a future where wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do -- delivering exceptional value for our members and creating an environment where our people thrive.

Now is an exciting time to join us. You'll be part of a high-performing, values-driven team where people are at the heart of everything we do -- and in return for your talent, you'll have the opportunity to grow, make an impact, and be proud of the difference your work makes.

About the role

Southern Cross is guided by purpose, powered by people and technology. We're here to help almost one million members across Aotearoa New Zealand live well for longer - work with real scale, real responsibility, and a real opportunity to make a meaningful difference.

We're looking for a Commercial Procurement Lead to own the sourcing, supplier partnerships and commercial agreements that keep Southern Cross protected and set up to deliver sustainable value for our members.

This is a senior leadership role for someone who wants to shape how Southern Cross buys, partners and manages risk - building a high-performing team, strengthening governance, and turning strong commercial relationships into real advantage for the business.

About the role

You'll lead Southern Cross' commercial procurement function - setting the direction, standards and governance for how we source, negotiate and manage supplier and commercial relationships across the business.

You'll lead complex negotiations and high-value supplier engagements, balancing commercial outcomes with risk, service quality and long-term value. You'll also build and develop a high-performing team that gives leaders across the organisation trusted, hands-on commercial advice.

This role is both strategic and hands-on - you'll set direction and modernise how the function works, while staying close to the detail on the negotiations, contracts and relationships that matter most.

What you'll do

• Lead and develop a high-performing commercial procurement team, building capability, accountability and continuous improvement

• Lead complex commercial negotiations and supplier engagements, balancing value, risk, service quality and long-term outcomes

• Partner with leaders across the business to shape sourcing decisions, procurement strategies and commercial arrangements

• Oversee key supplier and contract relationships, ensuring performance, accountability and value delivery

• Provide expert commercial advice and governance across procurement, contracting and third-party partnerships

• Strengthen procurement frameworks, governance and commercial discipline across the organisation

• Optimise vendor expenditure and contingent workforce arrangements, and realise measurable value from third-party relationships

• Modernise procurement systems, processes and ways of working, simplifying and automating where it makes sense

• Ensure procurement decisions support fair outcomes for members and customers, and meet policy, standards and regulatory requirements

What you'll bring

• Proven experience leading and developing high-performing commercial or procurement teams

• Extensive commercial, procurement and supplier management experience, with a track record of delivering value through strategic sourcing, negotiation and contract management

• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex commercial decisions, balancing financial, operational, customer and strategic considerations

• Strong understanding of contractual obligations, liability and risk management, and sound commercial judgement under pressure

• Hands-on and adaptable - equally comfortable in the administrative detail and the broader strategic procurement picture

• Strong stakeholder influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across the business and with external suppliers

• Commercial courage and a strategic mindset, particularly where third-party partnerships are critical to organisational outcomes

Why join us
We're investing - in people, in technology, and in the mission. At a time when the market is hesitant, we're continuing to invest in strengthening our foundations and building our capabilities. You'll have a clear mandate and genuine scope to shape commercial procurement practice at Southern Cross.

We're building something worth joining. Our teams are growing, our employer brand is gaining real traction in market, and the way we show up for our members and each other is being noticed. This momentum has also been reflected externally - in 2026, Southern Cross placed 8th in the Kantar Corporate Reputation Index and 5th in New Zealand for Trust.

Who we are
Ngākau nui. Āhurutanga. Tikanga.

Join a proud, diverse team that's always there, always real, always true. If you thrive in a caring, honest and open culture, we think you'll love working with us.
We know our team's culture and wellbeing drive us forward. That's why we prioritise not only professional development but opportunities to thrive personally. We offer exceptional work/life balance, and our people are encouraged - and rewarded - for living well.

Southern Cross employee benefits include:

• Five days of wellbeing leave per year

• Health insurance for you and your immediate whānau

• Life insurance cover and discounts on pet and travel insurance

• Extra parental leave benefits and financial wellbeing support

• Participation in our workplace wellbeing programme

• The option to purchase flexi leave for study, volunteering, or supporting your whānau

• An annual volunteer day to contribute to a cause with your team

This role is Auckland based. While we appreciate interest from candidates in other locations, we're unfortunately not able to consider remote options. Have questions? Check out our FAQs for help with the application and recruitment process.

We are proud to have taken the Pride Pledge, reflecting our commitment to inclusion and belonging. We also facilitate an active, employee‑led Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Forum, which includes our Rainbow Network, Māori Network, Pasifika Collective, and Neurodiversity and Whānau Support networks.

If you share our commitment and passion, we'd love to hear from you.