Procurement Category Lead - IT

Reserve Bank of Australia; Australia; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The Reserve Bank of Australia is seeking a seasoned Procurement Category Lead to drive end-to-end IT procurement and strategic sourcing across a diverse technology portfolio. You will partner with senior stakeholders to shape commercial outcomes, manage strategic suppliers and lead negotiations from planning through contract award.

In a collaborative procurement team, you will contribute to category strategies, governance, and supplier performance, while building strong relationships and

Qualifications

• Experience leading complex IT procurement and technology sourcing.
• Ability to translate business needs into category strategies.
• Strong knowledge of CPRs and procurement governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end IT procurement and strategic sourcing activities.
• Develop and implement category strategies and plans.
• Negotiate and award contracts with strategic suppliers.
• Provide commercial and procurement guidance to stakeholders.
• Improve procurement processes and tools.

Skills

End-to-end procurement

Strategic sourcing

Stakeholder management

Contract negotiation

Category management

Procurement governance

Commercial advice

Education

Relevant tertiary qualifications

Job description

Lead high-impact IT procurement and strategic sourcing activities across a diverse technology portfolio Partner with senior stakeholders to shape commercial outcomes and manage strategic supplier relationships Join a collaborative procurement team and apply your expertise to complex, high-value technology procurement.

About the business/role/team

The Procurement team partners with the business to deliver strategic, commercially focused procurement outcomes across the Bank. The team provides expertise across category management, strategic sourcing, supplier and contract management, procurement governance and commercial advice. As Procurement Category Lead, you’ll join the team and report to the Manager, IT Procurement. You’ll work closely with technology and business stakeholders to understand their requirements, develop sourcing strategies and lead procurement activities from initial planning and approach to market through to negotiation and contract award, while supporting effective contract and supplier management. This is a broad, hands‑on role where you’ll lead complex procurement activities, influence commercial outcomes and build strong relationships with key stakeholders and strategic suppliers. You’ll also contribute to category strategies and help improve procurement processes, tools and ways of working.

About the role

Lead end‑to‑end procurement and strategic sourcing activities, including competitive tender processes, from procurement strategy and approach to market through evaluation, negotiation and contract award across the IT portfolio. Partner with stakeholders to understand business needs and develop fit‑for‑purpose procurement and commercial strategies. Develop and contribute to the delivery of category strategies and plans. Provide commercial and procurement advice, including guidance on the application of the Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs). Manage relationships with strategic suppliers, including complex commercial and service‑related matters. Support contract management, procurement governance and supplier performance activities. Analyse procurement activity and performance to identify opportunities for improved value, efficiency and commercial outcomes. Contribute to the ongoing improvement of procurement policies, processes, templates and tools.

About you

You’ll be an experienced procurement professional who is comfortable operating in a complex stakeholder environment and enjoys balancing commercial outcomes with strong procurement governance. You will bring:

• Demonstrated experience leading complex, end‑to‑end procurement and strategic sourcing activities, including approaches to market, tender evaluation, negotiation and contract award with experience in technology procurement or similarly complex commercial categories.
• Strong commercial acumen and the ability to provide practical procurement advice to business stakeholders.
• Experience developing and implementing category strategies.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, including experience navigating challenging or complex commercial matters.
• Experience managing strategic suppliers and resolving supplier, contractual or service‑performance issues.
• Sound knowledge and practical experience applying the Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs).
• A continuous improvement mindset, with the ability to identify opportunities to improve procurement processes and outcomes.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications or equivalent procurement/commercial experience.

Be More Working for an organisation that truly makes a difference to the people of Australia, we can offer development and career opportunities in a collaborative environment that supports your growth, wellbeing and promotes flexibility. Your individual growth and success drive the RBA forward as an organisation. Be more means you can do more, for yourself and for Australia.

Why RBA?

The RBA makes an important contribution to the Australian economy through the pursuit of national economic policy objectives and associated activities in financial markets and banking. We also issue Australia's banknotes and operate infrastructure critical to the payments system, all of which contribute to the welfare of the Australian people. Made up of specialists across a wide range of fields, our people, values, and culture play a critical role in achieving our objectives. Striving to be Open & Dynamic, we consider and incorporate different perspectives, work across teams and are transparent with each other, whilst delivering quality together effectively and focusing on outcomes by prioritising, testing, learning, and refining as we go. Our people conduct themselves with a high degree of integrity, while striving for excellence in the work they perform and the outcomes they achieve. We encourage intelligent inquiry and we treat one another with respect while promoting the public interest through our efforts. We know it is the growth and success of our people that drives the RBA forward.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion through key initiatives. We welcome and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse background, those living with a disability and from the LGBTQ+ community. We are committed to making the recruitment process fair and equitable for all our candidates.

Application Close : December 02, 2026 .