Supplier Management Lead

**Supplier Management Lead**

**About Austal**

Austal is Australia’s global shipbuilder, Defence prime contractor and maritime technology partner of choice, designing, constructing, and supporting defence and commercial vessels for the world’s leading operators. The company operates in Australia, the USA, Philippines, and Vietnam.

Austal is delivering multiple naval shipbuilding and sustainment programs for the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Border Force, and the Department of Defence, employing approximately 1,000 people in facilities in located Western Australia, Queensland, and the Northern Territory.

Austal has entered into a landmark Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement (SSA) with the Commonwealth of Australia, launching a new era of continuous naval shipbuilding within the Henderson Defence Precinct and across Western Australia. As Australia’s Strategic Shipbuilder, Austal will start by delivering eighteen Landing Craft Medium and eight Landing Craft Heavy vessels for the Australian Army.

The SSA will drive significant growth across our industry and workforce, as we deliver existing and future programs under a long-term partnership. Through effective collaboration with our supply chain partners, Austal is driving innovation, developing sovereign capability, and creating lasting opportunities for Australian industry and workers.

To support this growth, we are building a highly skilled team to engage with local industry and supply chains, and contribute to complex, large-scale projects that reflect Austal’s proven capabilities and trusted performance.

**About the Opportunity**

As Supplier Management Lead for Austal Defence Australia (ADA), you will be responsible for managing and updating the Supplier Database and Vendor Management System (VMS) with accurate information. You will act as the main contact for suppliers to gather data, maintain clear communication and ensure our supplier relationships are managed at the highest levels of professionalism. You will coordinate timely reporting to meet business needs and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure a reliable supplier network.

This is your opportunity to contribute to projects of national significance.

**What’s Involved**
- Manage and maintain a register of comprehensive Supplier information
- Manage the Supplier Audit Program
- Conduct Supplier prequalification/onboarding activities, including due diligence and risk assessments
- Monitor and report Supplier information, including performance (including modern slavery, ESG, Australian Industry Capability (AIC)), certifications, and qualifications.
- Distribute communications to Suppliers
- Facilitate changes to Supplier information, including terms and conditions
- Maintain a Supplier registration portal
- Identify opportunities for improvement, and lead/support improvement initiatives
- Support the Strategic Procurement and Operational Procurement Teams in maintaining a network of Suppliers with sufficient capability and capacity

**Desirable Skills / Experience / Attributes**:
**Essential**:

- Qualifications in procurement, supply chain, contractual law, or a related discipline
- Minimum of 7 years’ experience in supply chain or procurement roles
- Practical experience using procurement functions within an ERP system, preferably IFS
- Proficient in Microsoft Office suite

**Desirable**:

- Over 7 years’ relevant experience in Defence, Maritime, or Shipbuilding industries (or equivalent)
- CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply) certification

**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 global team is guided by a universal set of values that describe the focus of our efforts. Our goal is for all our decisions and actions to reflect these core values. We believe that putting our values into practice creates the greatest benefits for our shareholders, customers, employees, suppliers, and communities in which we serve.

Excellence - Customer Focus - Integrity - Team Work

At Austal we are committed to providing a safe and inclusive work environment for all. We believe that achieving greater diversity will enhance our operations and as such we actively encourage Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders, people of all backgrounds, ages, sexual orientation, and those with Disability to apply.