Category Specialist

Treasury; Sydney; On-site; AUD 133,000 - 147,000; Full time

Job summary

NSW Treasury's Waste Management Category Team is seeking a Category Specialist to manage the Government's Waste Management contracts. You will work within a small team, using analytics to inform procurement decisions, maintain governance, and support the ongoing Contract 9698 arrangements across NSW agencies.

The role is ongoing, Clerk Grade 9/10, with remuneration $133,348 to $146,945 plus options. You will collaborate with stakeholders and contribute to the future renewal strategy beyond 2030.

Qualifications

• Experience in procurement analytics and reporting.
• Ability to transform data into actionable insights.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Support category management of Waste Management across NSW agencies.
• Perform data analysis and produce BI reports to inform decisions.
• Contribute to governance, performance and contract management.

Skills

Power BI

Excel

Data analytics

Stakeholder engagement

Tools

Power BI

Job description

Category Specialist (Waste Management) Goods and Services Category Management

• Employment Type: Ongoing


• Classification / Grade / Band: Clerk Grade 9/10


• Remuneration: $133,348 - $146,945; plus orking options available


• Applications Close: Wednesday, 7 October 2026 at 9:59am

Your day as a Category Specialist – Waste Management Join a small, cohesive and collaborative team responsible for one of NSW Government's most significant Goods & Services categories. The Waste Management Category Team forms part of the NSW Procurement Goods & Services area and is one of four category teams supporting whole-of-government procurement outcomes. The team currently consists of an Associate Director Category Management and a Category Specialist. This role reports directly to the Associate Director and works closely with the other Category Specialist to collectively deliver outcomes for NSW Government agencies and the people of NSW. The successful applicant will join a small, cohesive and supportive team environment, working alongside an experienced colleague who has been involved in the management of the current Contract 9698 arrangement since its commencement. The team values knowledge sharing, teamwork and shared ownership of outcomes, creating an environment where people are encouraged to learn, contribute and grow professionally. We are currently recruiting a replacement Category Specialist and offer a collaborative workplace underpinned by NSW Treasury values, respect, continuous improvement and a genuine commitment to supporting one another. The team manages Contract 9698 Waste Management, a mandatory whole-of-government arrangement used across NSW Government agencies and supporting thousands of sites across metropolitan, regional and remote NSW. The arrangement provides waste management, recycling, resource recovery, secure destruction and clinical waste services to government agencies throughout the State. Information regarding the current arrangement can be found in the Contract 9698 User Guide .

A unique aspect of this opportunity is that the successful applicant will contribute to both:

• management of the current whole-of-government arrangement;


• strategic supplier relationship management;


• contract governance and performance management;


• data analysis and reporting;


• category planning activities;


• the future renewal strategy for waste and resource recovery services beyond the current contract expiry date of 1 November 2030.

This role provides exposure to the full procurement lifecycle and is ideal for someone who enjoys combining analytics, stakeholder engagement and procurement expertise to solve complex commercial challenges.

Why Join the Waste Management Category Team?

This role offers a unique opportunity to combine procurement, analytics, sustainability and stakeholder engagement while helping shape the future NSW Government waste and resource recovery framework beyond 2030. This is an exciting time to join the team. Over the coming years, NSW Procurement will commence planning for the future waste and resource recovery framework that will succeed the current Contract 9698 arrangement.

The successful applicant will have the opportunity to contribute to:

• category management of a major whole‑of‑government arrangement;


• strategic supplier relationship management;


• sustainability and resource recovery initiatives;


• social procurement opportunities;


• data analytics and business intelligence reporting;


• procurement strategy development;


• stakeholder engagement across government;


• market analysis and supplier engagement;


• future sourcing activities;


• development of future waste and resource recovery arrangements.

The role offers the opportunity to work with a diverse range of stakeholders including NSW Government agencies, suppliers, industry representatives and senior executives while developing broad procurement and category management expertise.

Sustainability and Circular Economy

The Waste Management category plays a significant role in supporting NSW Government sustainability objectives. The category supports waste avoidance, landfill diversion, recycling, resource recovery and broader circular economy outcomes across government operations.

Applicants with an interest in sustainability, environmental outcomes, circular economy initiatives and the role procurement can play in driving positive environmental outcomes across government are encouraged to apply. We encourage applicants to familiarise themselves with the NSW Environment Protection Authority's Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy to better understand the broader policy environment in which the category operates: NSW Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy

Achieve success as Category Specialist

You will be successful in this role if you:

• enjoy working with large datasets and transforming information into meaningful insights;


• are comfortable using Power BI, Excel and reporting tools to support evidence‑based decision making;


• have strong analytical and problem‑solving skills;


• can build positive relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders;


• are comfortable managing competing priorities and complex issues;


• enjoy influencing outcomes through collaboration and negotiation;


• have an interest in category management, procurement and supplier relationship management;


• can communicate complex information clearly and succinctly;


• are proactive and enjoy taking ownership of workstreams and delivering outcomes.

Contract 9698 is a highly analytical category. Data, reporting and insights play a critical role in supplier management, sustainability reporting, contract governance and future strategy development. Candidates with strong analytical capability and a genuine interest in data‑driven decision making will be well positioned for success.

We are also committed to providing you with access to learning and development programs to help you achieve your performance objectives and career goals.

Who Should Apply?

This opportunity may suit someone who:

• currently works in procurement, sourcing, category management or contract management and is looking to broaden their experience;


• works in procurement analytics, business intelligence or commercial reporting and is looking to move into end‑to‑end category management;


• enjoys stakeholder engagement and commercial problem solving;


• has strong Power BI, Excel and analytical capability;


• is looking to build a long‑term career in strategic procurement and category management within NSW Government.

Applicants should be comfortable working across diverse stakeholder groups as the current arrangement services agencies with a broad range of operational requirements and priorities.

Understanding the Procurement Environment

Government procurement is undertaken within the NSW Procurement Policy Framework. Applicants are encouraged to familiarise themselves with:

• the current Waste Management Contract User Guide


• the NSW Procurement Policy Framework to better understand the operating environment and strategic context for this role.

Useful resources

• Waste Management Contract 9698


• NSW Procurement Policy Framework

Enrich your career with the NSW Treasury

As part of NSW Procurement, you will have the opportunity to further develop your expertise in:

• Procurement and Category Management


• Supplier Relationship Management


• Contract Management


• Data Analytics and Insights


• Strategic Sourcing


• Market Analysis


• Commercial Negotiation


• Sustainability and Circular Economy Initiatives


• Whole‑of‑Government Procurement

Our Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging NSW Treasury

NSW Treasury is committed to building a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve, where everyone feels welcome, supported and able to contribute and do their best work. We are committed to fair and equitable recruitment processes and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, including First Nations peoples, people with disability, people of all ages and genders, LGBTQIA+ people, and people from diverse cultural, linguistic and religious backgrounds. We actively support workplace and recruitment adjustments to remove barriers and enable equitable participation.

• As a Disability Confident Recruiter, NSW Treasury is committed to inclusive and accessible recruitment and supports adjustments so candidates with disability can participate fairly at every stage.


• As a Level 1 Activate Carer Employer, we recognise and support employees with caring responsibilities through inclusive and flexible workplace practices.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for ongoing or temporary employment at NSW Treasury, you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident of Australia and a substantive or temporary NSW public service employee, contractors are not eligible to apply.

Close of applications: 9:59 am Wednesday 07 October 2026