Developing and employing new Queensland procurement professionals

‘Putting Queenslanders first’ drives Procurement Co Pty Ltd, which in the past 12 months has created 18 new permanent Queensland jobs, engaged six staff in a graduate program, and provided 200+ hours of pro-bono procurement services to Food Bank.

Procurement Co is a 100 percent Queensland owned and operated specialist consultancy providing procurement, transaction, contract management and probity services to all levels of government, private enterprise and not-for-profits.

Started in 2014, the medium enterprise employs 38 Queensland staff across South East Queensland. Another two staff are based in Newcastle and Adelaide.

It has worked with Queensland Hydro, Powerlink, Economic Development Queensland, Seqwater, Queensland Reconstruction Authority and Queensland University of Technology, as well as many other clients.

Managing Director Heath Jess said that since April 2022, Procurement Co’s growth had seen the creation of 18 permanent jobs for Queenslanders in Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast.

“We are really focused on giving people the right opportunities and pathways to become strong procurement professionals,” he said.

All staff are provided with ongoing development opportunities, including mentoring, buddying and on-the-job training to build their skills in procurement.

“Ethics and probity and transparency is the core to the procurement function and core to delivery of our services,” Heath said.

Permanently employed school and university students enter a performance-based graduate program as analysts to build their skills before transitioning to a consultant role.

Three have recently become consultants.

The company also accommodates career-changers wanting to work in procurement.

Describing Procurement Co’s commitment to equal employment, Heath said the company had reached a gender diversity ratio of 63.15% female employees; 66% of managers and 60% of senior consultants are female.

“We give all candidates equal opportunity,” he said.

A key priority for Procurement Co is to include local SMEs in its supply chain, ranging from accountants and bookkeepers to ICT and legal services.

“We want to support others like us – small and local,” Heath said.

In the last 14 months, Procurement Co staff have provided 200+ hours of pro-bono procurement services to Food Bank.

“I think that everyone likes to help those in need. For us it’s great to see our staff have that spirit,” Heath said.

Procurement Co demonstrates the Queensland Government’s procurement approach to putting Queenslanders first through its jobs, training, support of local business, commitment to gender diversity and pro-bono work.