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Expertise

Our specialist consultants are experts across a range of disciplines, connecting you with the right talent for your permanent, temporary, contract, or interim jobs. Share your requirements and our experts will get in touch.

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Accounting & finance Partner with us to find highly skilled accounting and finance professionals who will drive your organisation’s financial success. Human resources Recruit HR leaders who will empower your workforce and drive organisational growth. Risk, assurance & compliance Strengthen your team with experienced professionals in risk management, assurance and compliance. Legal Access top-tier legal talent through our network of New Zealand's most recognised in-house and law firm specialists. Business support Connect with skilled administrative and support professionals who will enhance efficiency across your organisation. Sales Hire dynamic sales and commercial professionals who align with your goals and drive business growth across industries. Policy & government Access experienced public sector professionals who understand policy, governance, and the unique demands of New Zealand’s government landscape. Technology Hire innovative tech professionals to lead your organisation’s digital transformation and cutting-edge projects. Business transformation Bring on board change-makers who will lead successful transformations and drive innovation within your business. Marketing Collaborate with creative marketing professionals who will amplify your brand’s presence and deliver impactful campaigns. Procurement & supply chain Let us connect you with procurement and supply chain experts who can optimise your operations and deliver results. Property Partner with us to secure property professionals who drive asset performance, deliver developments, and support long-term portfolio growth.

Exclusive Recruitment Partners

Explore the opportunities from a range of organisations that exclusively partner with Robert Walters for their hiring needs.

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Contact Us

Truly global and proudly local, we’ve been serving New Zealand for over 25 years with offices in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington.

Get in touch
Expertise

Our specialist consultants are experts across a range of disciplines, connecting you with the right talent for your permanent, temporary, contract, or interim jobs. Share your requirements and our experts will get in touch.

Submit a vacancy

Exclusive Recruitment Partners

Explore the opportunities from a range of organisations that exclusively partner with Robert Walters for their hiring needs.

Learn more
About Robert Walters New Zealand

Kia ora. For us, recruitment is more than just a job. We understand that behind every opportunity is the chance to make a difference to people’s lives.

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Work for us

Our people are the difference. Hear stories from our people to learn more about a career at Robert Walters New Zealand

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Contact Us

Truly global and proudly local, we’ve been serving New Zealand for over 25 years with offices in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington.

Get in touch

New Zealand Defence Force

Join Defence Commercial Services and make an impact that strengthens our nation's defence, readiness, and resilience.

About NZDF

Every hour of every day, the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) works to protect the defence, security, and well-being of New Zealand. As a modern, professional military, our mission is to maintain well-trained, well-equipped, and disciplined armed forces that can respond to crises at short notice.

We lead, train, and equip our sailors, soldiers, and aviators to operate in the most demanding environments, ready to safeguard New Zealand’s interests. While combat readiness is essential, our technical expertise, advanced equipment, and professional training enable us to deliver a wide range of security and humanitarian operations.

NZDF works in partnership with other government agencies to protect our people, territory, and oceans. We are committed to continuous improvement, finding smarter ways to operate and planning for the future as our roles evolve. This is a collective effort: Regular Forces, Reserve Forces, and Civil Staff working together as a Force for New Zealand.

Why Join us?

At Defence Commercial Services (DCS), we’re more than just procurement professionals, we’re enablers of national security. As the commercial and procurement arm of the NZDF our work directly supports the operational readiness, resilience, and strategic ambitions of the Defence Force in an increasingly complex global environment.

Make an Impact That Matters

Every procurement decision you make contributes to NZDF’s ability to protect New Zealand’s sovereignty, support our Pacific neighbours, and respond to global challenges. Whether it’s sourcing protective gear for deployed personnel or securing housing for military families, your work helps ensure our Defence Force is equipped, supported, and ready.

Work That’s Complex, Strategic, and Purposeful

Procurement at NZDF is far from routine. You’ll be involved in challenging projects that shape the future of our Defence capability. Examples include:

 

  • Maintaining infrastructure across nine Defence bases nationwide, from airfields to ports.
  • Procuring advanced technologies, including satellite communications, cyber defence platforms, and tactical radio systems.
  • Supporting major estate regeneration programmes, such as barracks upgrades, housing initiatives, and energy efficiency improvements.
  • Managing critical services like catering, relocation logistics, and specialist training (e.g. diver operations, survival training).
  • Contracting for maritime sustainment, including fuel, port services, and ship maintenance for the Royal New Zealand Navy.
  • Supporting capability development projects, such as uncrewed aerial systems.
  • Engaging with industry on innovation, including emerging technologies.

Collaborate and Influence

You’ll work alongside military leaders, engineers, policy makers, and industry partners to deliver solutions that support NZDF’s mission. Your commercial expertise helps shape decisions that affect national security, regional stability, and global partnerships.

Drive Innovation and Excellence

Help modernise Defence procurement by leveraging digital tools, data-driven insights, and rapid commercial practices. Be part of a team that’s driving transformation all while supporting a combat-capable, future-ready Defence Force.


Open roles with the New Zealand Defence Force

Senior Procurement Specialist

Play a key role in New Zealand's defence capability. In this broad, high-impact role within Defence Commercial Services, you'll lead complex end-to-end procurement, manage supplier relationships, and provide trusted commercial advice across Air, Land, and Maritime programmes. Ideal for a procurement professional with 5+ years' experience ready to work on programmes that genuinely matter. 

Principal Contract Advisor

A rare opportunity to build something from the ground up. NZDF is establishing a new centre-led contract and supplier relationship management function, and this senior role will shape its design and delivery at enterprise scale. If you have 7+ years in complex contract environments and a track record leading commercial transformation, we'd like to hear from you.
 

Senior Advisor – Procurement Practices

Help lift the standard of procurement across one of New Zealand's most complex organisations. Working within NZDF's Centre of Excellence, you'll embed best practice, design practical tools and guidance, and work hands-on alongside procurement teams to drive real improvement. The ideal candidate is as comfortable coaching in the field as they are in a workshop room.
 

 

 

Principal Procurement Specialist

Step into NZDF's most senior and strategically significant procurement role. You'll lead large-scale, high-value programmes, shape sourcing strategy, and act as a trusted commercial advisor at the highest levels of the organisation. With 10+ years' experience and strong knowledge of Government Rules of Procurement, this is your opportunity to deliver work with real national impact.

 

 

Meet your experts

Vanessa  Powell

Vanessa Powell

Procurement & property, Wellington

Vanessa is a specialist recruiter across procurement and property. A vocal advocate for the future proofing of the procurement and property industry she was voted on the board for FMANZ and provides insights on various panels and events.  In 2023, Vanessa was awarded the RCSA Recruitment Professional award. 

Serena Daysh

Serena Daysh

Procurement & property, Wellington

Serena is a specialist recruiter across the Wellington property and procurement market. Passionate about connecting top talent with meaningful opportunities, she has built a strong reputation for delivering exceptional results for both candidates and organisations, playing an integral role in shaping successful careers and high-performing teams.