HEAD OF PROCUREMENT EXCELLENCE

• Newly created role at the heart of transformation
• Powering the future of Melbourne's iconic tram network
• Shaping transport for millions of Victorians

About the organisation

Yarra Trams is proudly operated by Yarra Journey Makers, a joint venture between Transdev Australia and John Holland, and holds the distinction of operating the world's largest tram network connecting millions of Victorians every day. More than simply moving people, Yarra Trams is committed to delivering world-class service that makes a real difference in the lives of thousands of passengers every day. Over the next decade, the organisation is renewing fleets, modernising infrastructure, digitising rail systems, and fundamentally transforming how it buys and manages services. Central to this is the establishment of a high-performing, digitally enabled procurement function designed to unlock better value from every dollar spent and support a more reliable, safer, and sustainable network. Yarra Trams is building a procurement model with a ten-plus year horizon - one grounded in clear strategy, disciplined execution, and a culture that blends commercial rigour with genuine public value. This includes diversifying supply chains, embedding modern slavery and ethical sourcing safeguards, and growing Indigenous and local suppliers to create skills and jobs for Victoria.

About the role

Reporting to the Director of Procurement and acting as their deputy, the Head of Procurement Excellence leads the Procurement Centre of Excellence (CoE) and is accountable for designing, digitising, and continuously improving the end-to-end procurement operating model. The role owns the multi-year vision for procurement process, systems, data, and performance management - including the product vision for procurement technology platforms spanning intake, source-to-pay, contract lifecycle management, and supplier analytics. The Head of Procurement Excellence will establish and run the procurement performance framework, providing portfolio and enterprise-level insight to the CPO, CFO, and executive leadership. This role also leads cross-functional design squads, manages change and capability uplift across the procurement function, and sponsors major technology implementations to ensure benefits are realised and adoption is sustained.

About you

You will bring demonstrable senior experience in procurement or commercial roles, with a strong focus on operating model design, process improvement, and digital transformation in complex, asset-heavy, or highly regulated organisations. Your experience includes leading multiple end-to-end procurement system implementations - ERP, P2P, CLM, guided buying, or analytics platforms - and you have a demonstrated ability to engage and align senior executives across Finance, Technology, Operations, and Legal. You are highly data literate and comfortable working with data models, KPI design, dashboards, and AI-enabled tools. You understand the distinction between procurement excellence and execution, and you bring the executive presence and pragmatic judgement to make that distinction count. Tertiary qualifications in Engineering, Technology, Law, Supply Chain, or Commerce are expected; further study in supply chain, digital disciplines, or an MBA is well regarded.

Click here for more information on Yarra Journey Makers.

How to apply

Click ‘Apply’ to submit your CV. For more information prior to application, please contact Peter Elwell at SHK email on peter.elwell@shk.com.au. Direct and third-party applications will be forwarded to SHK.