Category Manager - Equipment

KFC; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Half-day Fridays

Additional leave for wellbeing

Career development programs

Salary continuance cover

Mobile phone contributions

Home internet contributions

Restaurant discounts

Culture Club events

Onsite parking

Job summary

KFC Australia is seeking a Category Manager – Equipment to shape how we source, manage and continuously improve the equipment our restaurant teams rely on daily. You will drive strategic procurement across the equipment portfolio and partner with Operations, the Equipment Distribution Centre (EDC), Franchisees and suppliers to balance value, reliability and safety across the lifecycle.

In this role you’ll lead category strategies, manage tenders and negotiations, and translate operational

Qualifications

• Significant experience across procurement, category management, strategic sourcing or commercial management.
• Strong commercial and negotiation capability, including complex supplier relationships.
• Experience developing category strategies and delivering measurable commercial and operational outcomes.
• Strong supplier management with experience driving performance and continuous improvement.
• Commercial and analytical thinking, with an understanding of cost drivers and total cost of ownership.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills across complex internal and external relationships.
• A curious, practical approach and the ability to translate operational challenges into commercial actions.
• Experience with equipment, OEMs, engineering, facilities, food service, retail or other multi-site environments would be highly regarded, but isn't essential.

Responsibilities

• Own the category and develop equipment strategies balancing commercial value, operational requirements, safety, compliance and whole-of-life performance.
• Lead sourcing, tenders, negotiations and commercial arrangements across equipment and supporting services.
• Think beyond the purchase price—build visibility of cost drivers and total cost of ownership, including reliability, servicing, parts, warranty and life.
• Build partnerships with equipment manufacturers and service providers to drive performance, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Improve restaurant performance by partnering with Operations, the EDC and suppliers to enhance equipment reliability and service outcomes.
• Keep safety and compliance front of mind by working with technical and engineering specialists to meet standards.
• Connect Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, Technology, Franchisees, global teams and suppliers to turn challenges into commercial solutions.

Skills

Procurement experience

Category management

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation skills

Supplier management

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Equipment experience

Job description

• Own category strategy across KFC Australia's restaurant equipment portfolio
• Lead strategic sourcing, supplier performance and commercial negotiations
• Partner across Operations, Supply Chain and Franchisees to improve whole-of-life value

At KFC, we believe in people, what they can achieve and the impact we can make together.

As Category Manager – Equipment, you'll shape how we source, manage and continuously improve the equipment our restaurant teams rely on every day.

Working across KFC Australia’s equipment portfolio, you'll combine strategic procurement with real operational impact – partnering with Operations, Supply Chain, our Equipment Distribution Centre (EDC), Franchisees, global teams and suppliers to balance commercial value, reliability, safety and performance across the equipment lifecycle.

A DAY IN THE LIFE

• Own the category - develop and deliver equipment category strategies that balance commercial value, operational requirements, safety, compliance and whole-of-life performance.
• Lead the commercial conversation - manage sourcing, tenders, negotiations and commercial arrangements across equipment and supporting services.
• Think beyond the purchase price - build visibility of cost drivers and total cost of ownership, considering reliability, servicing, parts, warranty and equipment life.
• Build partnerships that perform - strengthen relationships with equipment manufacturers and service providers, driving performance, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Improve restaurant performance - partner with Operations, the EDC and suppliers to improve equipment reliability, availability, maintenance and service outcomes.
• Keep safety and compliance front of mind - work with technical and engineering specialists to ensure equipment meets relevant standards, safety and compliance requirements.
• Connect the dots - bring together Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, Technology, Franchisees, global teams and suppliers to turn operational challenges into commercial solutions.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

You're a commercially minded procurement, category or strategic sourcing professional who enjoys getting close to the operation and understanding how things actually work.

• Significant experience across procurement, category management, strategic sourcing or commercial management.
• Strong commercial and negotiation capability, including managing complex supplier and contractual relationships.
• Experience developing category strategies and delivering measurable commercial and operational outcomes.
• Strong supplier management capability, with experience driving performance, resolving issues and delivering continuous improvement.
• Commercial and analytical thinking, with an understanding of cost drivers and total cost of ownership.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills across complex internal and external relationships.
• A curious, practical approach and the ability to translate operational challenges into commercial actions.
• Experience with equipment, OEMs, engineering, facilities, food service, retail or other multi-site environments would be highly regarded, but isn't essential.

WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT HERE

You'll be part of a people-first culture where everyone has a seat at our table, with plenty of opportunities to learn, grow, make an impact – and have some fun along the way.

And there are plenty of perks too:

• Flexibility that works - including hybrid working and half-day Fridays.
• More time for you - additional leave each year to focus on your wellbeing.
• Investing in your growth - signature career development and leadership programs to help you build what's next.
• A little extra support - salary continuance cover plus monthly mobile phone and home internet contributions.
• Plenty of KFC perks - restaurant discounts, Culture Club initiatives and events.
• Make the commute easier - free secure onsite parking at our Frenchs Forest Restaurant Support Centre.

EVERYONE HAS A SEAT AT OUR TABLE

KFC is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels they belong. We celebrate diversity in all its forms and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, experiences and abilities.

If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know so we can support you to participate fully and be at your best.