Purchasing Lead

About the Opportunity

As the Purchasing Lead for Austal Defence Australia (ADA), you’ll be responsible for overseeing the day to day operations of the purchasing team, ensuring efficient and timely processing of purchase requisitions and issuance of purchase orders to suppliers. This includes ensuring goods and services are procured in line with schedule demands, quality standards, and contractual obligations.

About Austal

Austal is Australia’s global shipbuilder, Defence prime contractor; and maritime technology partner of choice. We design, construct, and support defence and commercial vessels for the world’s leading operators with operations spanning Australia, the USA, Philippines, and Vietnam.

Under the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement, Austal is leading a new era of continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia. We’re driving innovation, supporting sovereign capability, and creating long-term opportunities for Australian industry and workers.

Learn more at austal.com/ssa

This is your opportunity to contribute to projects of national significance. The maritime is now.

What’s Involved

• Lead and coordinate daily procurement activities to ensure material requirements are planned, purchased, and delivered in support of project and production schedules.
• Manage supplier relationships and performance to achieve on-time delivery, quality standards, and cost-effective outcomes
• Support approved sourcing strategies for critical materials and services, supporting operational and project requirements. 
• Ensure all procurement activities comply with company policies, contractual obligations, Defence regulations, and governance requirements.
• Maintain accurate procurement documentation, records, and approvals to support audit, traceability, and reporting requirements.
• Analyse procurement performance, monitor key metrics, and identify opportunities to improve processes, reduce lead times, and enhance efficiency.
• Lead, coach, and develop procurement team members, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Act as a key liaison between procurement, engineering, production, and project teams, proactively communicating supply risks, resolving issues, and ensuring material readiness for project delivery.

You’ll Need

• Proven leadership experience in a procurement or purchasing environment
• Strong knowledge of procurement and supply chain principles
• 5+ years experience in procurement or purchasing roles, including team leadership
• Diploma or higher qualification in Supply Chain, Procurement, Business or related field
• High level experience of ERP systems
• Experience managing supplier performance and driving process improvement
• Exposure to Defence, Maritime or project based Manufacturing environments (desirable)
• Eligibility for a Defence Security Clearance

Why Join Us?

• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• A supportive and dynamic work environment.
• Opportunities for career advancement within our growing organisation.

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. Veterans are also encouraged to apply.

Learn more at Careers at Austal Australia | Austal: Australia