Auckland Council's Procurement General Manager Sara Hay, left, with Minister for Economic Development Steven Joyce and council's Group Chief Financial Officer Sue Tindal.

Win for procurement leader

Sara Hay, General Manager for Procurement at Auckland Council, has been named one of the country’s top leaders at the industry’s annual awards.

The New Zealand Procurement Excellence Awards were held 19 May in downtown Auckland, where Ms Hay was named Procurement Leader of the Year.

The awards are run by the New Zealand Procurement Excellence Forum, support by EY, and was attended by more than 150 industry leaders.​

Auckland Council's Procurement General Manager Sara Hay with her Procurement Leader of the Year award.

Since arriving at the council in February 2015, Ms Hay has transformed the council’s procurement work as well as taking a lead role in negotiating a saving of $33 million for the ratepayer over the council’s Long-Term Plan on SAP software and maintenance.

Auckland Council Group Chief Financial Officer, Sue Tindal, says Ms Hay is an inspiring leader to the entire council family.

“It was a pleasure to be at the event with Sara, members of her leadership team, our colleagues from Auckland Transport and Watercare, and to see her fantastic work here at Auckland Council recognised by the industry,” Ms Tindal says.

The new approach

Ms Hay explains the department’s new way of working in the procurement environment has been a collaboration within the team.

“After mapping the current state - where the processes literally covered full walls - we took a co-design approach where our customers, suppliers and other stakeholders helped us shape an outcome,” explains Ms Hay.

The new approach considers not only the value but any risks associated, seeking to deliver multiple positive outcomes to Auckland. The approach was launched with a symbolic shredding of the old procurement manual (pictured).

“I challenge the team to avoid saying ‘no’ to a customer” and instead evaluate each option available, Ms Hay says.

Team work

Ms Hay says she is most proud of her team, including their individual development paths and the benefits they have delivered on.

“As we mature, the team is going through many changes and the resilience they have shown is impressive.

“I’m also proud to work for the council where procurement is a varied, complex and interesting challenge.

“Procurement is seen as critically important and relevant and our Executive Leadership Team sees the potential for Auckland through a high-performing procurement function. Not all procurement teams have the luxury of support from senior leaders."

What next?

“On June 1, we go live with a new structure which is more efficient and better reflects our customers’ needs," Ms Hay says.