Category Manager - Clinical

Family and Disability Services; Brisbane; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging (NFP)

Flexible work arrangements

Rewards platform

Parental leave

Diversity and inclusion leave

Job summary

UnitingCare Hospitals is seeking an experienced Category Manager - Clinical to lead procurement strategies for clinical categories across our hospitals. The role focuses on strategic sourcing, vendor management, contract optimisation and data-driven decisions to drive value.

Based in Brisbane with a hybrid work arrangement, the successful candidate will partner with clinical, operational and executive teams to deliver sustainable savings while supporting frontline services.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in category management, strategic sourcing and contract management.
• Experience leading RFx processes, tender evaluations and supplier negotiations.
• Strong ability to analyse spend data, supplier markets and risks.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement with senior operational leaders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies aligned to organisational objectives.
• Lead sourcing projects, RFx processes, tender evaluations and negotiations.
• Manage strategic supplier relationships and performance reviews.
• Monitor contracts and drive savings, value creation and compliance.
• Collaborate with clinical, operational and executive stakeholders to deliver procurement solutions.
• Deliver category dashboards, KPI reporting and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Category management

Strategic sourcing

Procurement

Contract management

Spend analytics

RFx and Tendering

Supplier relationship management

Negotiation

Governance & compliance

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Procurement/Supply Chain qualification

Business/Commerce/Finance background

Tools

ERP systems

Spend analytics tools

Job description

Category Manager - Clinical | UnitingCare Hospitals

Employment Type: Permanent Full Time

Location: Brisbane, Hybrid

Remuneration: Attractive Salary + Super + Not for Profit Salary Packaging + Penalties & Allowances

We are seeking an experienced and commercially focused Category Manager - Clinical to lead the development and execution of category procurement strategies across UnitingCare. Working at the centre of our clinical Procurement & Supply function within our Hospitals, you'll drive value through strategic sourcing, supplier management, contract optimisation and data-driven decision-making.

This is a unique opportunity to influence procurement outcomes across one of Queensland's largest not-for-profit organisations, partnering with clinical, operational and executive stakeholders to deliver sustainable commercial outcomes while supporting frontline services and positive customer outcomes.

Your part in our UnitingCare team

Reporting to the General Manager Procurement & Supply, you will play a key role in developing category strategies, leading sourcing initiatives and managing strategic supplier relationships across a diverse portfolio.

You’ll work collaboratively with stakeholders across the organisation to balance commercial outcomes, risk management, supply continuity and operational requirements.

In this diverse role, you will:

• Develop and implement category strategies aligned to organisational objectives.
• Analyse spend, supplier markets, risks and demand patterns to identify opportunities for value creation and cost optimisation.
• Lead sourcing projects, RFx processes, tender evaluations and commercial negotiations.
• Manage strategic supplier relationships, performance reviews and innovation initiatives.
• Negotiate contracts and monitor performance to maximise commercial value and compliance outcomes.
• Partner with operational, clinical and executive stakeholders to understand business requirements and deliver procurement solutions.
• Deliver savings initiatives, monitor category performance and support budgeting processes.
• Identify and manage supply chain, supplier and market risks through proactive mitigation strategies.
• Develop category dashboards, KPI reporting and strategic recommendations for leadership teams.
• Drive continuous improvement, standardisation and procurement transformation initiatives across the organisation.

What makes a difference for us?

• Demonstrated experience in category management, strategic sourcing, procurement and contract management within a medium to large organisation.
• Proven ability to develop and implement category strategies that deliver cost savings, value creation, risk mitigation and service improvements in a related healthcare environment.
• Experience leading procurement activities including RFx processes, tender evaluations, commercial negotiations and supplier selection in private hospitals or related healthcare environment.
• Strong understanding of procurement governance, commercial principles, contract management and compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to analyse spend data, supplier markets and performance metrics to support strategic decision-making.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to influence operational leaders, executives and subject matter experts.
• Experience managing supplier performance, business reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, including savings tracking, benefits realisation and budget awareness.
• Eligibility to legally work in Australia and ability to satisfy relevant probity requirements.

Highly regarded:

• Tertiary qualifications in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Business, Commerce, Finance or a related discipline.
• Knowledge of clinical stakeholder engagement, procurement governance and supply chain risk management

We warmly encourage applications from First Nations peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people living with disability, and people of all genders and identities.

What makes a difference for you?

• NFP Salary Packaging: Save tax and increase your take home pay by salary packaging your everyday living expenses and bills (up to $15,900) and meal entertainment (up to $2,650) per annum. To learn more about this benefit watch the video via the following link: Salary Packaging Explained
• Flexible work arrangements to support work-life balance
• A recognition and rewards platform , providing employee discounts at hundreds of retailers, including everyday expenses, holidays, health insurance, annual awards celebration, wellbeing and employee assistance programs
• 12 weeks paid parental leave and 2 weeks paid partner leave, available after 6 months service, in addition to the government scheme
• Diversity and inclusive leave , offer