- Newly created transformative leadership role
- Decisions that impact the daily lives of millions of Victorians
- Values-driven by safety, ethics, sustainability and social value
About the organisation
Yarra Trams is proudly operated by Yarra Journey Makers, a joint venture between Transdev Australia and John Holland, and holds the distinction of operating the world's largest tram network connecting millions of Victorians every day. More than simply moving people, Yarra Trams is committed to delivering world-class service that makes a real difference in the lives of thousands of passengers every day. Over the next decade, the organisation is renewing fleets, modernising infrastructure, digitising rail systems, and fundamentally transforming how it buys and manages services. Central to this is the establishment of a high-performing, digitally enabled procurement function designed to unlock better value from every dollar spent and support a more reliable, safer, and sustainable network. Yarra Trams is building a procurement model with a ten-plus year horizon - one grounded in clear strategy, disciplined execution, and a culture that blends commercial rigour with genuine public value. This includes diversifying supply chains, embedding modern slavery and ethical sourcing safeguards, and growing Aboriginal and local suppliers to create skills and jobs for Victoria.
About the role
Reporting to the Senior Manager, Partnerships & Supplier Relationship Management, the Manager, Strategic Supplier Relationships is an initial 12 month fixed-term position within the Procurement function. The role is responsible for designing and embedding a formal supplier segmentation framework, classifying the full supplier base into strategic, preferred and transactional tiers. The appointee will lead executive-level governance forums, drive joint business planning with Tier 1 strategic partners, and develop value creation opportunities beyond contracted scope, including technology co-development, sustainability commitments and workforce collaboration. This role operates above day-to-day performance management, focusing instead on the structural conditions of trust, transparency, executive alignment and shared ambition that make strategic partnerships genuinely valuable. Accountabilities will also include tracking and reporting financial and non-financial value delivered through the strategic relationship programme using a Return on Relationships (RoR) framework and the championing of Yarra Journey Makers' positioning as a customer of choice with its most critical partners.
About you
You will present with a track record demonstrating progressive experience in procurement, supply chain or commercial management, with direct experience managing high-value, strategically critical supplier relationships at an executive level. You should have designed and stood up a formal SRM programme from scratch, and are comfortable presenting to and facilitating forums at C-suite level, both internally and with external supplier leadership. Your analytical capability is strong: you can build business cases, model TCO and ROI, and translate commercial data into clear executive insight. You navigate complexity and organisational politics with confidence, leading through influence rather than authority. Your approach to relationship management is grounded in reciprocity, clarity of commitment and constructive resolution of tension. Tertiary qualifications in business, law, supply chain or a related discipline are expected; postgraduate qualifications or SRM/contracting certifications are well regarded.
Click here for more information on Yarra Journey Makers.
How to apply
Click ‘Apply’ to submit your CV. For more information prior to application, please contact Peter Elwell at SHK email on peter.elwell@shk.com.au. Direct and third-party applications will be forwarded to SHK.
