Industry Capability & Supply Chain Manager

Strengthen Australia's maritime capability by shaping industry partnerships and supply chains

Who we are

NORSTA Northeast - located in Cairns - is a wholly owned subsidiary of NORSTA Maritime Pty Ltd, an Australian company. NORSTA operates in North-Eastern Australia and Northern Australia as the Royal Australian Navy’s Regional Maintenance Provider (RMP-NE). Our mission is to provide essential maintenance and sustainment services for naval vessels in the region.

NOTE: As a condition of this role, you must be able to obtain (and hold) Baseline Defence security clearance, which requires Australian Citizenship. A National Police Criminal History Check will also be undertaken.

About the role

Strong supply chains depend on people who understand the commercial realities, recognise capability and build relationships that deliver.

At NORSTA Maritime, you’ll bring that experience to a role with a clear purpose: strengthening the regional and national supplier network that supports the sustainment of Commonwealth vessels, while creating opportunities for Australian industry.

Based in Cairns and reporting to the Commercial Manager, our Industry Capability & Supply Chain Manager will connect procurement strategy, supplier performance and industry development. You’ll work with Commonwealth representatives, operational leaders and industry partners to address supply gaps, improve resilience and build capability for the long term.

Where you’ll make your mark

- Shape procurement and supply chain strategies that balance value, risk,



compliance and operational requirements.
- Build productive supplier partnerships and identify businesses with the capability to support maritime sustainment.
- Lead Australian Industry Capability initiatives, expanding opportunities for regional SMEs, Indigenous enterprises and veteran participation.
- Help emerging suppliers understand requirements and strengthen their readiness to participate in the Defence supply chain.
- Turn performance data and supply chain insights into practical improvements.

About you

You’re an established procurement and supply chain professional who can move confidently between strategic decisions and operational detail. You understand how sourcing, contracts and supplier performance affect delivery — and you know how to bring stakeholders with you.

You bring experience in the maritime industry, Defence subcontracting and Australian Industry Capability delivery. Additional experience in manufacturing or mining will be highly valued, particularly where you have managed technically demanding supply chains, critical suppliers, operational risk and complex commercial relationships.

To succeed in this role, you'll need





- Demonstrated supply chain or industry capability management experience in Defence, Defence industry or a complex commercial environment.
- A strong maritime background and a record of engaging regional suppliers and industry stakeholders.
- Practical experience in Defence subcontracting, Commonwealth procurement requirements and Australian Industry Capability program delivery.
- We also welcome manufacturing and mining industry experience.
- Sound commercial judgement, negotiation skills and the confidence to engage senior government and industry stakeholders.

Key Skills

- Strategic procurement and supply chain planning.
- Commercial negotiation and supplier relationship management.
- Defence subcontract management and procurement compliance.
- Stakeholder engagement across government, industry and regional suppliers.
- Supply chain risk management, performance reporting and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

A tertiary qualification in supply chain management, logistics, business or a related discipline

Equal Opportunity Statement

As an equal chance employer, we actively encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, women and Defence Force Veterans. We recognise the unique contributions that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples bring to our organization, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment that honors and celebrates their cultures, histories, and knowledge.

📌 Industry Capability (Cairns Regional)
🏢 Norsta Maritime
📍 Cairns Regional