Category Manager - ICT

Woolworths Group; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Woolworths Group is seeking an experienced Category Manager for ICT to architect procurement strategies across software, SaaS, cloud, and cybersecurity. You will partner with senior technology leaders to drive cost optimisation and risk mitigation while enabling cutting-edge platforms for Australia’s largest retailer.

The role combines strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management and end-to-end lifecycle oversight in a high-velocity, hybrid work environment based at Norwest with two days

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of proven procurement experience in ICT/Technology category.
• Experience negotiating software, SaaS, cloud infra, IT services and tools like Ariba/CLM.
• Familiarity with AI tools and associated security/commercial risk boundaries.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills for senior tech leadership.
• Agile, proactive, team-first mindset and stakeholder collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end ICT sourcing lifecycle, including market research, RFx design, evaluation and negotiation planning.
• Develop and execute ICT category strategies with IT Architects and Service Owners.
• Negotiate complex multi-year tech agreements to optimise commercial outcomes and terms.
• Drive SRM and Contract Lifecycle Management for compliance and performance.
• Partner with IT ExCo, Cyber, Legal, Finance and Risk to deliver enterprise outcomes.
• Source emerging technologies (AI/Generative AI) with proper risk and legal framing.

Skills

Procurement experience

Procurement negotiation

Azure/GCP familiarity

AI tools knowledge

Communication

Agile mindset

Education

Business/Supply Chain/Digital Technologies degree

MCIPS (or equivalent)

Tools

Ariba

Business Intelligence

Contract Lifecycle Management

Job description

Category Manager - Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

• 12 Month Contract. Based in our Norwest Office, with 2 days working from home
• Work in a high-velocity, nimble ecosystem where entrepreneurial spirits collaborate to define market leadership
• Deliver sophisticated sourcing solutions across a multi-billion dollar non-trade portfolio to drive enterprise-wide value

We are Woolworths Group

We are Woolworths Group. 200,000+ bright minds, passionate hearts and unique perspectives connected by a shared Purpose - 'to create better experiences together for a better tomorrow.' It’s that Purpose that fuels our ambition to explore new ideas, make brave commitments and innovate better ways to meet the food and everyday needs of more than 24 million customers every week.

If you’re excited to turn today’s blue sky thinking into a better tomorrow for future generations, you’ll find yourself supported and enriched in a dynamic, inclusive and empowering workplace that reflects the diverse communities we serve. With a culture of genuine care, a flexible approach to work and opportunities across the group to grow your career and make a meaningful impact, the possibilities for what we can achieve together are endless.

The opportunity

As an ICT Category Manager, you will serve as the strategic architect behind Woolworths Group's technology procurement vision. In this high-impact role, you will navigate a dynamic digital landscape to execute sophisticated sourcing solutions for software, cloud infrastructure, SaaS, and cybersecurity. By partnering directly with senior technology leadership, you will lead the end-to-end evolution of ICT category strategies aligned with the Group Digital & Technology roadmap. Ultimately, your work will drive cost optimisation, robust risk mitigation, and the commercial enablement of cutting-edge technology platforms across Australia's largest retailer.

What You'll Do

• Lead the end-to-end sourcing lifecycle, including market research, RFx design, evaluation, negotiation planning, and executive recommendations for enterprise tech solutions.
• Develop and execute future-ready ICT category strategies in partnership with IT Architects and Service Owners.
• Negotiate complex, high-value, multi-year technology agreements to optimize commercial outcomes, favorable legal terms, and robust SLA/KPI frameworks.
• Drive Strategic Partner Relationship Management (SRM) and Contract Lifecycle Management to ensure compliance, service performance, and joint-innovation opportunities.
• Collaborate with IT ExCo, Cyber Security, Legal, Finance, and Risk teams as a trusted business partner to deliver seamless enterprise outcomes.
• Source and enable innovative emerging technologies, such as LLMs, Generative AI tools, and automation bots, while establishing proper risk and legal frameworks.

What You'll Bring

• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of proven procurement experience with a track record of leading complex ICT/Technology category strategies and negotiations.
• Technical Expertise: Deep experience negotiating software, SaaS, cloud infrastructure (Azure/GCP), IT services, and familiarity with modern procurement/analytics tools (Ariba, BI, CLM).
• AI & Digital Savvy: Professional familiarity with modern technology suites, AI tools (Generative AI, LLMs), and their associated commercial and security risk boundaries.
• Communication & Influence: Exceptional written, spoken, and presentation skills with a natural ability to build trust and present business cases to senior tech leadership.
• Mindset: A positive, curious, and highly adaptive agile mindset combined with a proactive, team-first collaborative approach.
• Education & Credentials: Tertiary qualification in Business, Supply Chain, or Digital Technologies, alongside preferred MCIPS (or equivalent) accreditation.

What You’ll Experience

• We create a thriving team experience through a culture of belonging that champions safety and wellbeing for our people and partners.
• We’re a team-first organisation. We’ll equip you with the necessary training for success in your role, and provide continuous career development and learning opportunities.
• We offer competitive remuneration and access to a number of employee benefits.
• Office based roles A commitment to flexibility through a hybrid working model which combines time spent at a support office or hub and time working from home, supporting both in-person connection and balancing the flexibility that remote working provides for our teams
• A range of programs to help you prioritise and manage your wellbeing, including a competitive leave policy and 24/7 access to the Sonder app.

Everyone belongs at Woolworths Group

As one of the largest employers in Australia and New Zealand, we aim to create a truly inclusive workplace where everyone feels that they belong, can be their best selves, and reach their full potential.

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are key to realising our purpose of better together for a better tomorrow. We recognise the value our team’s diversity brings to our business, customers, and communities and that teams with diverse experiences and backgrounds enrich our group and are better able to innovate and solve problems.

Woolworths Group is an inclusive, team-first company and we value all skills and experiences.