Procurement Business Partner

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Zespri is more than simply the world's single-largest marketer of kiwifruit. We like to think of ourselves as fruit on a mission and as rebels with a cause: to help people, communities and the environment around the world thrive through the goodness of kiwifruit. We are proudly the world's largest marketer of kiwifruit, selling kiwifruit in more than 50 countries. We work with around 2,800 New Zealand and 1,500 international growers and post-harvest companies to source the best-quality Zespri Kiwifruit which we supply through our distribution partners to wholesale and retail customers. We are one of New Zealand's best-known international brands, dedicated to creating sustainable long-term value for growers.

He aha te mahi? What's the role?

Based in Antwerp or Bologna, the Procurement Business Partner, Europe is the key link between regional stakeholders and Global Procurement, providing commercial leadership and procurement expertise across Zespri’s European operations.

Supporting Marketing and Supply Chain teams in Belgium and Zespri Global Supply (ZGS) in Italy, this role ensures procurement is engaged early in business planning, sourcing and investment decisions. Working with business leaders, suppliers and Global Category Managers, the role drives commercial value, supplier performance, risk management and procurement consistency across the region.

Reporting to the Head of Procurement Business Partnering, the role supports sourcing, supplier governance and commercial performance while helping implement global category strategies and strategic supplier relationships. Success requires strong stakeholder engagement, commercial judgement and the ability to influence outcomes across a matrixed, multicultural environment.

Key Responsibilities

Business Partnering & Commercial Leadership

Act as the primary procurement partner for assigned business areas across Europe. Provide commercial guidance on supplier, sourcing and investment decisions, ensuring procurement is involved early in planning and projects. Translate business priorities into procurement initiatives, applying Total Cost of Ownership principles to balance cost, service, risk, sustainability and resilience.

Procurement Delivery & Value Creation

Identify and deliver opportunities to improve commercial outcomes, supplier performance and operational effectiveness. Lead adoption of procurement strategies and governance frameworks, challenge requirements to maximise value, and partner with stakeholders to develop business cases and realise benefits.

Support supplier performance, contract management and commercial relationships. Facilitate supplier risk assessments, strengthen governance practices and ensure compliance with procurement policies and delegated authorities. Lead commercial management of designated regional leverage suppliers alongside business owners.

Procurement Capability & Ways of Working

Embed consistent procurement processes, tools and standards across the region. Build stakeholder capability through coaching and support, simplify procurement processes, and improve transparency, compliance and user experience.

Leverage procurement systems, analytics and market insights to support decision-making. Drive adoption of digital tools, support procurement transformation initiatives, facilitate supplier innovation and champion continuous improvement, automation and AI-enabled ways of working.

Ko wai koe? Who are you?

We're looking for a Procurement Business Partner with 8+ years' experience in procurement, sourcing, supplier management and commercial leadership within complex regional or global organisations. You will also fulfil the following:

• A tertiary qualification in Procurement, Commerce or Business, with professional certifications such as MCIPS, CPSM, ISM or CIPS considered advantageous. An MBA or postgraduate business qualification is desirable.
• Strong commercial acumen and a proven ability to deliver value beyond cost savings through sourcing, negotiation, supplier management and contract management activities.
• Demonstrated success influencing senior stakeholders and driving commercial outcomes across regional and global environments, with experience implementing procurement, category and supplier strategies.
• Strong capability in supplier governance, commercial risk management and data-driven decision-making, with the ability to translate market intelligence and insights into clear business recommendations.
• Experience leading initiatives through influence in matrixed, multicultural environments, including exposure to European markets and ways of working.
• Proficiency with procurement