Category Manager

University-of-Melbourne; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 122,000 - 149,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17% superannuation

Salary packaging

Health and wellbeing programs

Discounted services

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

The University of Melbourne is seeking a senior procurement leader to drive university-wide IT sourcing strategies from strategy through contracting. Based in Parkville, you will partner with senior stakeholders to deliver value, manage risk and support sustainability and modern slavery controls.

You will lead complex category plans, develop evaluations and negotiate contracts, monitor performance and ensure probity.

Qualifications

• Hold a relevant undergraduate qualification or equivalent experience in procurement and contracts management.
• Bring 5–8 years’ experience delivering complex sourcing projects and achieving strong commercial and financial outcomes.
• Demonstrate advanced tender development, evaluation and negotiation skills within diverse strategic or large, complex environments.
• Analyse complex data sets to generate insights that inform category strategies and value-for-money decisions.
• Operate independently under broad direction, managing competing priorities across multiple University-wide procurement activities.
• Apply knowledge of Australian Procurement Standards and social, sustainable procurement, including modern slavery risk management.

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple complex, University-wide IT sourcing projects, from strategy and market engagement through to recommendation and contracting.
• Develop and implement category management plans with stakeholders to maximise value and manage risk across categories.
• Partner with senior leaders and COO portfolios to align renewals, priorities, strategies and ensure compliance and probity.
• Guide stakeholders through procurement processes, negotiations, vendor performance management and sustainable, socially responsible sourcing practices.
• Monitor category performance, resolve issues, benchmark best practice and contribute to financial, sustainability and modern slavery goals.

Skills

Procurement strategy

Sourcing

Negotiation

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Contract management

Tender development

Vendor performance

Education

Undergraduate qualification in procurement or related field

Job description

Position Number: JR-017617 Role type: Full Time; Continuing Location: Parkville Department/School: Chief Financial Officer Group – Procurement Services Salary: UoM 8.5 - $135,504 p.a. plus 17% super

Strategic, University-wide procurement remit / drive sustainable, socially responsible sourcing and modern slavery risk management / join a high-performing, evolving CFO team

Seize this opportunity to lead complex category strategies, deliver measurable value and shape sustainable procurement. Investing in you – 17% superannuation, benefits package including salary packaging, health and wellbeing programs, discounted services, and professional development opportunities.

The University of Melbourne We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website.

Your next career opportunity

In this role, you will lead University-wide category strategies and complex sourcing projects that deliver significant value.

You will partner with senior stakeholders to shape sustainable, socially responsible procurement, strengthening vendor performance and managing risk.

You will also develop your expertise within a high-performing CFO Group committed to culture, learning and innovation.

What you will deliver:

• Lead multiple complex, University-wide IT sourcing projects, from strategy and market engagement through to recommendation and contracting.
• Develop and implement category management plans with stakeholders to maximise value and manage risk across categories.
• Partner with senior leaders and COO portfolios to align renewals, priorities, strategies and ensure compliance and probity.
• Guide stakeholders through procurement processes, negotiations, vendor performance management and sustainable, socially responsible sourcing practices.
• Monitor category performance, resolve issues, benchmark best practice and contribute to financial, sustainability and modern slavery goals.

You may be a great fit if you:

• Hold a relevant undergraduate qualification or equivalent experience in procurement and contracts management.
• Bring 5–8 years’ experience delivering complex sourcing projects and achieving strong commercial and financial outcomes.
• Demonstrate advanced tender development, evaluation and negotiation skills within diverse strategic or large, complex environments.
• Analyse complex data sets to generate insights that inform category strategies and value-for-money decisions.
• Operate independently under broad direction, managing competing priorities across multiple University-wide procurement activities.
• Apply knowledge of Australian Procurement Standards and social, sustainable procurement, including modern slavery risk management.

For further information, please refer to the attached PD.

What we offer you!

What we offer you! We offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits to support your success and sense of fulfilment, including:

• Build future financial security with 17% superannuation
• Supportive flexible work arrangements underpinned by our commitment to inclusion and well-being
• Career development opportunities, including access to a range of tailored programs, such as Academic Women in Leadership, and learning platforms including LinkedIn Learning
• Progressive, considerate leave provisions to empower your work-life balance and well-being, including leading parental leave, gender affirmation leave and cultural leave
• Salary packaging and access to a range of discounted services including Bupa health insurance, and access to unique cultural and recreational benefits such as discounts for the Melbourne Theatre Company
• Health and well-being services including a leading Employee Assistance Program

Your new team

Your new team sits within the Chief Financial Officer Group, part of the Chief Operating Officer Portfolio. We provide the financial and procurement expertise that underpins exceptional teaching, research and student experiences across the University. You will join a procurement team investing in culture and high performance, with access to development programs and cross-University collaborations that drive sustainable, value-for-money outcomes.

Be Yourself

The University of Melbourne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a child-safe organisation. The diversity of our community enriches us all, and we are committed to creating an inclusive and fair workplace where everyone is valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Discover more about Diversity and Inclusion at UniMelb. We're committed to a barrier-free recruitment process and ongoing workplace support, providing adjustments throughout. We warmly encourage applications from people with disabilities. Learn more about how we support an accessible recruitment process.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants

We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians. Visit our Indigenous staff page to learn more about our investment and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff. Indigenous applicants are encouraged to connect with Korin Korin, our Indigenous Employment and Development team, via [e-mail]

Applications close: Tuesday, 16th September 2026 at 11:55 PM; Melbourne time zone.