Category Manager

the original; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 154,000 - 178,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Communities and Justice NSW seeks a Category Manager to lead procurement strategies and supplier relationships, delivering value for money and risk management across the organisation.

You will guide strategic sourcing, manage complex negotiations, and partner with stakeholders to deliver ethical, sustainable outcomes. The role supports flexible hybrid work arrangements and opportunities for professional growth within DCJ.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in category management, strategic sourcing and procurement delivery.
• Proven ability to lead complex commercial negotiations and achieve value for money.
• Experience managing supplier relationships, contracts and procurement risk.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills to influence senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic procurement initiatives delivering value, innovation and sustainability.
• Develop and implement category strategies aligned with priorities.
• Lead sourcing activities, complex procurements and commercial negotiations.
• Manage supplier relationships to drive performance and continuous improvement.
• Provide expert advice on procurement, contract management and market opportunities.
• Identify and mitigate procurement, commercial and contractual risks.
• Partner with stakeholders to understand business needs and deliver fit-for-purpose solutions.
• Drive value for money while upholding ethical and socially responsible practices.
• Monitor market trends and supplier capabilities to inform strategy.

Skills

Category management

Strategic sourcing

Procurement delivery

Negotiations

Supplier relationships

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Job description

$154,231 - $178,369 a year

1d ago , from Department of Communities and Justice NSW

• Employment type – Temporary full-time up to two years
• Salary – $154,231 pa - $178,369 pa plus employers’ contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading

Your role

Join Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) and play a key role in delivering strategic procurement outcomes that support a safe, just and inclusive NSW. As a Category Manager, you will lead category strategies, sourcing initiatives and supplier relationships to maximise value for money, manage risk and support organisational priorities. Working closely with stakeholders across the business, you will provide expert procurement advice and drive innovative, sustainable and commercially sound outcomes that make a real difference to the community.

What you’ll do

Lead strategic procurement initiatives that deliver value, innovation and sustainable outcomes across the organisation.

• Develop and implement category strategies aligned with business and government priorities.
• Lead sourcing activities, complex procurements and commercial negotiations.
• Manage supplier relationships to drive performance, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Provide expert advice on procurement, contract management and market opportunities.
• Identify and mitigate procurement, commercial and contractual risks.
• Partner with stakeholders to understand business needs and deliver fit-for-purpose solutions.
• Drive value for money outcomes while supporting ethical, sustainable and socially responsible procurement practices.
• Monitor market trends and supplier capabilities to inform strategic decision-making.

What we’re looking for

An experienced procurement professional with strong commercial acumen, leadership capability and a track record of delivering strategic outcomes.

• Extensive experience in category management, strategic sourcing and procurement delivery.
• Proven ability to lead complex commercial negotiations and achieve value for money outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience managing supplier relationships, contracts and procurement risk.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to influence and advise senior leaders.
• Experience developing and implementing category strategies that align with organisational objectives.
• Proven leadership capability, including developing high-performing teams and driving results.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.

While this role is primarily responsible for leading the Professional Services Category, candidates with broader category management expertise are encouraged to apply.

• Lead high-profile procurement initiatives that directly support communities across NSW.
• Influence strategic decisions and drive innovation, sustainability and value for money outcomes.
• Enjoy flexible hybrid working, professional development opportunities and a collaborative team environment.

What We Offer

We offer a variety of benefits, including:

• A challenging and rewarding career
• Flexible, autonomous work environment
• Competitive pay and conditions
• Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities
• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.

We do work that really matters

Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It’s work that really matters.

Applications close

Tuesday, 17th of November 2026 at 11.59PM.

Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit

We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups.

To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.

Other Information

A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.

For more information visit Applying for DCJ jobs on the DCJ website.

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

To keep up with recruitment opportunities at DCJ, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CareersatDCJ/

The Welcome Experience

Thinking about moving to regional NSW? Get free, personalised support with housing, schools, jobs, and settling in. Learn more: www.nsw.gov.au/welcomeexperience

The careers site currently promotes this service on the ‘Discover roles with DCJ in regional NSW’ page.