Group Procurement
Not sure what 'procurement' is? Don't worry - you're not alone. While many university graduates aren't exactly sure what procurement is, they can be sure that it's one of the fastest-growing professional business disciplines with an ever-increasing demand for talented individuals internationally.
In looking after procurement for the Suncorp Group, Group Procurement manages the efficient supply of goods and services to support the operating demands of our Insurance, Life and Banking divisions. This involves establishing and maintaining contractual supply arrangements with thousands of external vendors for billions of dollars worth of goods and services consumed by our diverse operations. These products and services could be as varied as IT systems for the entire group, building services to repair customers' homes after a storm, or armed security personnel to deliver cash to Suncorp ATMs.
Balancing the Suncorp Group's operational cost and service requirements with external suppliers is a demanding responsibility. It involves thorough collaboration with internal stakeholders to determine business requirements, exploration of external supply options and the commercial acumen to formalise a suitable contract with chosen suppliers. Fundamental skills required by procurement staff are strong communication, influencing and business skills necessary to develop, negotiate, implement and manage these commercial relationships. In addition, effective procurement must be underpinned by excellent project management skills to deliver results on time and budget.
The Group Procurement team prides itself on maintaining a professional yet fun-loving working environment. We actively encourage a healthy work-life balance and support flexibility in working arrangements to balance individual circumstances and demanding business needs.
Highlighting our professionalism and technical expertise, Group Procurement is one of only four procurement groups in Australia to have achieved the coveted 'Organisational Certification' from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply.
What we do
Group Procurement performs the following functions:
- Strategic procurement, tendering and supplier selection
- Contract negotiation and development
- Category management and supplier performance management
- End-to-end supply chain re-engineering projects
- Business requirements and market analysis
- Data analysis and management reporting
- Relationship management with internal stakeholders and external suppliers
- Supply base risk monitoring and mitigation
The Team
The Group Procurement team consists of more than 60 staff from a wide variety of commercial backgrounds ranging from procurement, operations, consultancy, supply chain management, analytics, project management, finance and economics. This makes us one of the largest and diverse procurement teams in Brisbane. We are seeking Graduates who are interested in developing both procurement and broader business acumen in a challenging, supportive and varied work environment.
Group Procurement Graduate Development
To help you enhance your personal development and build your career, our program will offer:
- A Career Development Plan tailored specifically to your career aspirations
- Variety of work and the ability to move between teams within Group Procurement
- Opportunity to lead your own projects with support and guidance from your leader and colleagues
- Travel opportunities as you support business stakeholders across Australia
- Support towards relevant professional accreditations and other industry training
- Continual learning with access to internal corporate training programs (E.g. communication skills, project management techniques, negotiation training, presentations by experts)
- An exceptional opportunity to develop broad business acumen through exposure to a diverse range of stakeholders and projects, positioning you well to move into many roles within the broader Suncorp Group
- A leadership team focussed on open communication, knowledge sharing and your personal development
- Both a senior mentor to guide your professional development and a 'buddy' workmate to help you settle in and become familiar with your surroundings
- Support to attend graduate community events, and Suncorp community events such as paid volunteer days
Program Duration
12 months
Locations
Brisbane
Sure, we want to talk to graduates who've had academic success, but we're also interested in your contribution to the community and past experience.
You must demonstrate excellent communications skills and have a strong customer focus and enjoy interacting with others, so solid interpersonal skills are a must. You will need to be commercially aware, show initiative and have the ability to work in a dynamic and changing environment. You must be detail focussed with strong analytical skills.
Graduates with qualifications in the following disciplines would be well suited to apply:
- Supply Chain Management
- Commerce / Business
- Economics
- Finance and Accounting
We encourage individuals with dual degree and post graduate qualifications to apply.
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Name: | Mia |
| Degree: | Bachelor of International Business / Bachelor of Asian and International Studies | |
| Majors: | Logistics and Supply Chain Management | |
| Role: | Graduate Procurement Officer |
Why did you join Suncorp?
I was attracted to Suncorp’s diversified portfolio of insurance brands, banking and wealth management with Australian and international suppliers meeting the needs of the various lines of business. Group Procurement manages these needs through several professional areas that make up the sixty strong Centre of Excellence. The opportunity to work with each of these areas to deliver end to end contract management and supply chain options stood out to me as I felt like it was the perfect jumping board for starting my career.
Is life at Suncorp everything you thought it would be?
What I admire most is that the Group Procurement team is always working to improve themselves, the work they deliver and the methodologies they practice. I get to be involved in assignments I would never have thought a Graduate could have input into. The team is friendly and knowledgeable, and I’ve found that I get the most out of the Graduate Program by getting involved wherever I can and asking for feedback.
What have you been up to since you joined?
Work-wise I’ve been involved in process mapping the supply chain options for call centre services, I learnt about and used the Oracle financial system while filling in for the IT Receipting Officer, worked with our supplier Dell to improve communication methods, participated in supplier performance management meetings, reviewed proposed contract offers, provided input into and attended Group Procurement’s CIPS Audit Review and I’ve worked along side our Category Managers and Analytics team to streamline supplier payment processes. In addition to undertaking several Agile training courses, I’ve also been put through a Diploma of Purchasing along with my Procurement peers. On the social side, I’ve met lots of like-minded team members as well as participating in Suncorp’s well established Graduate network which hosts plenty of development days and community get-togethers.
What's the best thing that's happened to you since you've been at Suncorp?
The best thing I’ve experienced since starting at Suncorp is the ‘follow-up’. My peers will always check-in that I understand concepts and take the time to explain ideas and situations that I want to know more about. My Graduate Manager takes time to catch-up informally, as well as meeting for regular progress reviews. I find that because the people around me make the effort to follow-up on all that they do, I have a greater ability to understand how processes and areas work together, and to guide future learnings. Such follow-up also provides me with opportunities to pursue my interests and contribute to developing what I am passionate about.
What are some of the challenges you have faced?
One challenge I’ve faced has been working with our suppliers to improve communication and invoicing processes, and making sure these new processes were a good fit for both organisations, while also ensuring they were compliant to Suncorp regulations.
In three words, how would you describe your team?
Flexible, approachable and hardworking.
Where do you see yourself within Suncorp in 3 years time?
In three years time I hope to have CIPS certification and be working in the Group Procurement Sourcing or Category Management spaces.
How is the Suncorp Graduate Program preparing you for your future?
The Suncorp Graduate Program offers me direction and support to get where I’m going. It’s preparing me for the future by teaching me to ask the right questions to get the information I’m after. By putting me in real work environments, where I have real responsibilities and assignments, it’s helping me to develop my professional knowledge and technical skills.
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Name: | Shannell |
| Degree: | Bachelor of Commerce | |
| Majors: | Economics and Finance | |
| Role: | Analytical Officer |
Why did you join Suncorp?
I felt that the corporate culture and values of Suncorp closely reflected my own, and that I would be a good fit within the organisation. In particular, I identified strongly with the Suncorp value of accountability, a trait not often openly acknowledged in larger companies. The opportunity to work for a large well-known company, on a number of different analytical projects presented a challenge, and a chance to expand the technical skills I gained as part of my University study.
Is life at Suncorp everything you thought it would be?
The atmosphere at Suncorp is very welcoming and fosters a healthy work-life balance. I enjoy coming to work each day and collaborating with like-minded people, in the highly specialised centre of Group Procurement.
What have you been up to since you joined?
I have been able to use the abilities and knowledge I gained at University within my role on a daily basis, particularly econometric skills and quantitative analysis methods. I've worked with various programs, some of which I had previous experience, such as Microsoft Excel and Access, in order to create and analyse data. I have had the opportunity to work on several projects since starting at Suncorp, including providing analysis to aid in completing Suncorp's Sustainability reports.
What's the best thing that's happened to you since you've been at Suncorp?
I have felt very accepted within the team and am very appreciative of the effort colleagues have made in making me feel welcome and included. In team meetings, people ensure that I understand the concepts and ideas being discussed, giving me an opportunity to ask questions and express opinions; and friendly Friday afternoon drinks is a great way to end the working week!
What are some of the challenges you have faced?
I began full time work at Suncorp immediately after returning from an overseas holiday, which was quite an adjustment to make. Within the scope of my role, my leader has always been helpful and open to questions, ensuring I understand the tasks and receive the support I need. This gives me the confidence to undertake challenging projects slightly out of my comfort zone; eg: creating an analysis spreadsheet to serve the needs of the Travel team.
In three words, how would you describe your team?
Hard-working, supportive and friendly.
Where do you see yourself within Suncorp in 3 years time?
I hope to continue to be working within the Analytics team of Group Procurement as a Commercial Analyst with the responsibility for several areas of business reporting.