IT Category & Vendor Manager

Salt Digital Recruitment; City of Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 173,000 - 233,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Competitive daily rate

Energy sector exposure

Job summary

Salt is seeking an IT Category & Vendor Manager for a Melbourne-based, hybrid six-month rolling contract in the energy sector. You will lead end-to-end commercial management for technology vendors, contracts and procurement activities, partnering with Program Managers, IT leadership, Procurement and Legal.

Your responsibilities include category strategies, sourcing across software, cloud and infra, RFx processes, term negotiations, and KPI-driven vendor governance to ensure value and compliance.

Qualifications

• Proven IT category management or procurement experience in enterprise-scale or regulated environments (energy sector helpful).
• Strong knowledge of IT sourcing: software licensing, cloud, infrastructure, and managed services.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and negotiation skills to influence senior leaders.
• Solid understanding of RFx processes, contract drafting, and governance frameworks.
• Ability to translate technical and business requirements into clear commercial outcomes.
• Strong analytical, financial, and problem-solving skills.
• Proactive, collaborative communicator in fast-paced tech environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop category strategies for technology products and services.
• Lead procurement and sourcing across software, infrastructure, cloud, and digital vendors.
• Prepare and manage RFI, RFQ, RFP, and SOW documentation to ensure fit-for-purpose outcomes.
• Negotiate commercial terms, renewals, and contract variations with vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Manage vendor relationships to ensure performance, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Monitor and report on contract performance, KPIs, SLAs, and financial commitments.
• Ensure procurement and vendor management activities align with governance frameworks and policy requirements.
• Contribute to digital transformation objectives by enabling technology partnerships and commercial agility.

Skills

IT category management

Vendor management

Procurement (enterprise-scale)

IT sourcing knowledge

Stakeholder management

RFx processes

Contract drafting

Commercial governance

Analytical & financial

Job description

IT Category & Vendor Manager - Energy Sector We're looking for a forward-thinking IT Category & Vendor Manager to join a leading Australian energy organisation at the forefront of digital transformation. This is an exciting opportunity to influence the organisation's technology strategy by shaping commercial outcomes, optimising vendor performance, and driving innovation across major IT and business transformation programs.

WHAT'S ON OFFER

Melbourne CBD based. Hybrid working. $1100 a day + GST Exposure to working alongside one of Australia's largest energy providers. 6-month rolling contract.

THE ROLE

As the IT Category & Vendor Manager, you'll take ownership of end-to-end commercial management for a diverse portfolio of technology vendors, contracts, and procurement activities. You'll partner with Program Managers, IT leadership, Procurement, and Legal to drive best practice across sourcing, negotiation, and vendor governance - ensuring value, compliance, and alignment to business objectives.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Developing and executing category strategies for technology products and services.
• Leading procurement and sourcing activities across software, infrastructure, cloud, and digital vendors.
• Preparing and managing RFI, RFQ, RFP, and SOW documentation to ensure fit-for-purpose outcomes.
• Negotiating commercial terms, renewals, and contract variations with vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Managing vendor relationships to ensure performance, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Monitoring and reporting on contract performance, KPIs, SLAs, and financial commitments.
• Ensuring all procurement and vendor management activities align with governance frameworks and policy requirements.
• Contributing to digital transformation objectives by enabling technology partnerships and commercial agility.

THE COMPANY

An Australian company that helps facilitate electricity and gas for everyday Australians. Providing world class useability and accessibility with an end goal for a greener and more sustainable future.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

Proven experience in IT category management, vendor management, or procurement within enterprise-scale or regulated environments (energy sector experience highly regarded).

• Strong knowledge of IT sourcing, including software licensing, cloud, infrastructure, and managed services.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence senior business and technology leaders.
• Excellent understanding of RFx processes, contract drafting, and commercial governance frameworks.
• Ability to interpret and translate technical and business requirements into clear commercial outcomes.
• Strong analytical, financial, and problem-solving skills.
• A proactive, collaborative communicator who thrives in fast-paced, technology-driven environments.

You must have full working rights to be considered for this role.

Please note: Only suitable candidates will get a call back for this vacancy.

Acknowledgement of Country Salt respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands across Australia as the continuing custodians of country and culture. We recognise the enduring connection that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to the lands, waters, and skies. We pay our respects to all First Nations Australians and their Elders past and present.

Salt acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands across Australia as the continuing custodians of country and culture. We pay our respects to all First Nations Australians and their Elders past and present.