Carina Saelow

Led the commercial and procurement mobilisation strategy for major national contracts, ensuring compliance with complex contractual, legislative, and policy obligations. Partnered closely with estimators, bid teams, and operational leaders to develop winning commercial solutions, accurate pricing methodologies, and compliant tender submissions. Developed and managed RFQ/RFT documentation, evaluation frameworks, and negotiation strategies, embedding governance, Contract specific obligations, and regulatory standards into all processes.

Leading the full procurement lifecycle from market engagement, evaluation, and negotiation through to contract execution, transition, and mobilisation. Providing expert advice to senior leadership on contract governance, risk, vendor performance, and compliance frameworks, driving improved supplier accountability and transparency. Negotiated high-value, complex vendor arrangements that achieved significant cost savings and operational efficiencies while meeting Commonwealth and client objectives. Built and maintained trusted relationships with government stakeholders, subcontractors, and internal executives to ensure strategic alignment and commercial success.

Key Achievements

• Successfully led the project level procurement of the Whole of Australian Government (WoAG) Contract and successfully led procurement mobilisation of Telstra FMDC and leading the commercial and procurement Defence BST Contract, delivering on time while maintaining strict compliance with contractual frameworks.
• Worked in partnership with bid teams, estimators, and operations to design competitive pricing strategies, strengthen governance, and improve tender quality.
• Designed and embedded evaluation and governance frameworks that enhanced transparency and consistency across all procurement activities.
• Negotiated complex vendor arrangements that delivered cost savings, enhanced supplier performance, and long-term value-add outcomes.
• Embedded contract obligations and other legislative requirements into procurement strategy, ensuring alignment with Head deed and Commonwealth objectives where applicable.
• Mentored procurement and vendor management teams, building capability in strategic sourcing, governance, and contracting best practice.

• Develop and implement policy and programs to support the distribution of the medical workforce in regional, rural and remote Australia.
• Effective program management and reporting.
• Ability to apply good judgement and subject matter knowledge to make policy/program decisions.
• Prepare correspondence, briefing papers, minutes, briefs and enquiries and input to external requests for information.
• Analyse applications and information from a range of sources to provide recommendations to working groups.
• Engage positively and effectively with internal and external stakeholders to support policy development and program implementation.
• Assisted with standard and promotional product pricing through competitive analysis, industry research, store visits and product pricing strategies.
• Formulated business recommendations and alternative solutions based on statistical data.

• Actively contribute to the development and delivery of best practice funding management to meet program control measures, stakeholder needs and requirements.
• Undertake complex critical analysis and provide recommendations on and a high level of attention to detail of activities/projects aligned with business needs.
• Evaluate, analyse and make informed conclusions and recommendations.
• Actively contribute to continuous improvement and communicate team vision aligned to operational needs and best practice business processes and tools.
• Provide regular updates to executive and key stakeholders on the status of tasks, risk mitigation and issue escalation as required.
• Employ clear and succinct communication, in ways that resonate with different individuals, facilitate team goals and helps build rapport across work groups.

• Develop, implement and evaluate integrated communication and stakeholder engagement plans to support the Khapra beetle QLD Biosecurity response.
• Develop positive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders (including government, industry and impacted retailers and householders) and liaise with them to ensure the project’s success.
• Develop and maintain productive working relationships with internal partners within Biosecurity Queensland and the department to ensure engagement activities align with broader strategic and operational activities and are responsive to changing circumstances.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key clients impacted by the response and ensure they information requirements are met.
• Undertake research, analysis and evaluation to ensure engagement activities are tailored to specific requirements (e.g. physical, industrial and social factors) and ensure any gaps are addressed.
• Prepare and distribute a range of communication and engagement materials to support the project, liaising with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries media, digital, creative and web teams as required.
• Managed routine and crisis communications with media and members of public.

• Develop and maintain regional relationships with non-government organisations and assist with the coordination of the regional secondary service system through quality assured contract management practices, and the implementation of consistent, robust and transparent practices.
• Mitigated business risks by analyzing contracts' potential impacts and avoiding unfavorable terms.
• Tracked contracts for management and issued regular tracking reports covering current status and upcoming milestones.
• Monitored contracts' performance to detect non-compliance with terms and deficient returns and organize proactive resolutions.
• Interpreted contact terms and coordinated solutions to resolve disputes between clients and service providers.
• Analyzed new laws and regulations to identify required changes and proactively adjust systems.
• Establish and maintain the regional funding relationship with relevant organisations, including the compliance with community service standards, funding agreements and the relevant Acts and Legislation.
• Access, analyse and document the performance of funded organisations and make recommendations on necessary outcomes and implement appropriate community needs assessment processes.
• Prepare briefs, correspondence and other departmental reports as required.
• Implement consistent, transparent and robust practices including recordkeeping, regulatory framework and complaints management.
• Systematic analysis and evidence based decision making.

• Kept informed of activities or changes that could affect likelihood of emergencies, factors that could affect response efforts and details of plan implementation.
• Utilized comprehensive risk analysis to identify, assess and manage emergency management risks.
• Collaborated with stakeholders to prepare plans and procedures to respond to emergency scenarios.
• Built and strengthened relationships to manage effective planning and implementation of emergency response strategies.
• Improved realization of organizational objectives by effectively communicating department goals, organizational objectives and industry trends.
• Maintained current understanding of local, state and federal guidelines for emergency response.
• Facilitated emergency management training for staff and conducted emergency drills.
• Applied for federal funding for emergency-management-related needs and administered and reported on progress of such grants.
• Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
• Organized professional with expertise in managing resources and optimizing performance. Proficient in providing valuable insights and supporting decision-making processes. Committed to enhancing productivity and contributing to overall success.
• Built and strengthened relationships across functional leadership areas to keep revenue development and operational plans interconnected and effective.
• Applied excellent problem-solving, process development, and strategic implementation skills to lead and support all areas of operations.