The opportunity:

At Bupa, our purpose is to help people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world. This is at the core of who we are, making us a healthcare provider that strives to deliver meaningful change contributing to our ambition to be the world's most customer-centric healthcare provider. Our values are Brave, Caring and Responsible. 

We have a senior leadership opportunity for a Head of Procurement Excellence to join Bupa. This is a key procurement leadership role responsible for shaping and driving the strategic direction of procurement capabilities across the business. This includes design, implementation, and continuous improvement of best-in-class procurement processes, policies, systems, and governance frameworks that enable high performance, compliance, and innovation across procurement.

The role will oversee critical enablement pillars including enterprise spend analytics, process optimisation, policy and compliance frameworks and risk integration, supplier enablement, and performance reporting. In addition, the role will spearhead the Procurement Innovation agenda—identifying and embedding emerging technologies such as automation, AI, and advanced analytics to unlock value and drive operational efficiency.

Excellent cross-functional stakeholder management skills at a senior level with experience in rapidly building relationships with key stakeholders, is necessary to success. The role will operate across Bupa Australia and Hong Kong influencing at senior levels through the business. 

This is a Melbourne-based permanent role with hybrid work arrangements.

Key accountabilities include:

• Provide leadership to the Procurement Excellence function 
• Actively contribute to the formulation and execution of the enterprise-wide procurement strategy as a core member of the procurement leadership team. 
• Own the strategic roadmap for procurement technology, ensuring systems are optimally configured to enable data-driven decision-making and operational efficiency. 
• Leverage Enterprise Reporting function capability to deliver enterprise-grade analytics and insights 
• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of procurement policies, standards, and operating frameworks to ensure compliance, consistency, and scalability.
• Develop and execute a supplier engagement strategy that enhances collaboration, transparency, and alignment with Bupa’s values and procurement objectives. 
• Lead the development and execution of the annual Procurement Program of Work, aligning initiatives with enterprise priorities.
• Lead sourcing transformation initiatives, embedding agile methodologies, digital tools, and best practices to enhance speed, quality, and value. 
• Design and deliver enterprise-wide education programs to uplift procurement knowledge, policy compliance, and stakeholder engagement. 
• Lead the Procurement Innovation Practice, identifying and piloting emerging technologies such as AI, automation, and advanced analytics to drive step-change improvements. 
• Apply Design Thinking and human-centred design to simplify procurement processes and enhance user experience. 
• Leverage market intelligence and external networks to identify disruptive trends and translate them into actionable innovation roadmaps.

Why work at Bupa?

We keep our people smiling by helping them improve their lives in and outside of the office.

We’re a welcoming lot, no matter who you are or where you’ve come from. We welcome all talents and backgrounds and embrace our differences, so you can bring your true self to work.

 We support our people to be the best version of themselves, physically and mentally. With a healthy work/life balance, leadership support, study leave, volunteering options and a commitment to promoting from within.

We reward our people and celebrate their success, provide initiatives that develop careers and look after our people’s health, wellbeing, and futures.

What do I need?

• Relevant graduate or post graduate qualifications in Business, Commerce, Accounting, Supply Chain Operations, Engineering or Law
• 15+ years’ experience in Procurement and/or contract management, from strategy development to execution.
• Proven experience in leading successful commercial negotiations, with evidence of applied innovative thinking, negotiation skills, and strategic negotiation planning. 
• Highly proficient in preparing and evaluating business cases, risk profiles and cost models. 
• Demonstrated ability to lead, influence, and collaborate with cross-functional and indirect teams within the procurement function. 
• Category experience crucial and industry knowledge preferred. 
• Experience with developing metrics, projections, and financial models. 
• A strong understanding of customer experience and customer-centricity principles 
• Strong commercial business acumen and stakeholder management capabilities. 
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex ideas simply and influence at all levels and audiences within the organisation.
• Professional certifications such as MCIPS (CIPSA) or Project Management (e.g. PMP) qualifications highly regarded.

About Bupa Asia Pacific:

Bupa is an international healthcare group which has been committed to a purpose of helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world for more than 70 years.

Bupa Asia Pacific operates in Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong, supporting about 6.5 million customers through a broad range of health and care services including health insurance, aged care, dental, medical, optical and hearing services. Employing more than 20,000 people in the region, we believe that we can make a real difference to the lives of customers through our values, purpose and the way that we deliver personalised care.

Our people reflect the diversity of our community. At Bupa, your wellbeing, identity and own story is respected and valued.