Procurement Category Manager

01 Flinders University; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 147,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17% Superannuation

Salary packaging

Wellbeing program

Staff study offers

SAGE Cygnet Awards

On-campus healthcare

Gym access

Childcare centre

Job summary

Flinders University seeks a Procurement Category Manager to oversee major commodity procurement and contracting, engaging stakeholders and leading cross-functional teams from needs through contract handover. This fixed-term, full-time role (15 months) is based at Bedford Park, Kaurna Country.

The role emphasizes developing procurement strategies, market approaches, and governance reporting, with extensive stakeholder consultation and documentation management. 17% superannuation applies.

Qualifications

• Experience in developing procurement documentation including approvals and market approach docs.
• Strong contract negotiation and drafting capabilities.
• Excellent written and oral communication and reporting skills.
• Ability to develop and implement procurement strategies for multiple categories.
• Experience managing end-to-end procurement from needs through contract handover.

Responsibilities

• Develop procurement strategies to meet the University’s commercial needs and stakeholder requirements.
• Undertake market approaches, evaluations and governance reporting.
• Lead cross-functional teams to undertake procurement processes and ensure stakeholder engagement.
• Manage progress reports, risks and issues related to procurement projects.
• Ensure documentation and procedures are updated in Flinders systems.

Skills

Negotiation

Contract drafting

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional leadership

Procurement strategy

Market research

Job description

Position Details

Full-Time | Fixed term (15 months) HEO9 - $133,860 + 17% Super Location: Bedford Park / Kaurna Country View

About the Role

The Procurement Category Manager at Flinders University is responsible for the procurement and contracting of specified major commodity groups across the University, or for specific high-risk procurement projects. The role involves developing an in-depth understanding of the University stakeholder requirements including extensive consultation with user groups and leading cross functional teams to deliver exceptional procurement outcomes. This may include being responsible for the creation or review of some or all documentation related to the procurement process and ensuring that appropriate changes and updates are made to Flinders University systems as well as procedures and guidelines. Working in this impactful role will involve: Developing procurement strategies to meet the commercial imperative of the University as well as stakeholder requirements, incorporating overall market approach, proposed contract type, scope and length. Undertaking procurement processes to achieve strategic outcomes, including preparing Acquisition Plans, undertaking market approaches, evaluation and recommendations, and all Governance reporting. Establishing and leading cross functional teams of stakeholders and/or functional experts as appropriate to undertake processes, including evaluations. Ensuring stakeholders are appropriately engaged and managed. Ensuring project management protocols are maintained, and that appropriate reporting occurs with regards to progress, risks and issues. Please note, due to the nature of the role, you will be required to work from the Bedford Park campus.

About You

We are looking for a skilled and personable procurement professional with: Experience in the development of procurement documentation including approvals documentation and market approach documentation. Well developed commercial sense, including negotiation of contracts and the drafting of contracts High level oral, written and interpersonal communication skills including being an effective listener and negotiator, being able to ask clear questions about issues and requirements, and experience in writing quality reports and recommendations for complex and sensitive issues. Proficiency in the identification, development and implementation of procurement strategies for a range of category groups or specific projects Demonstrated experience of managing a complex end to end procurement process from identification of customer needs through to contract execution and contract handover.

About Finance and Procurement Services

Finance and Procurement Services assist the University to achieve its goals by providing quality leadership, information, and financial services. The Finance and Procurement Services team undertakes monthly financial management reporting and forecasting, annual budgets and monitoring performance against these budgets, all regulatory financial reporting, monthly compliance, procurement contracting and functional areas of paying suppliers, receipting revenue and annual financial statements. While this role is based at Bedford Park, we have team members located across all of Flinders sites.

Life at Flinders

We're transforming and investing in people and facilities to create contemporary, stimulating, and satisfying learning and work environments that reflect our core values of excellence, innovation, courage, and integrity. Flinders is refocusing its strategic priorities with the aim of elevating its performance to be a top ten Australian university, and amongst the top 1% in the world. Reaching beyond the limits of buildings, borders, and backgrounds, ours is an inclusive culture that believes absolutely in equality and opportunity for all. We don't just accommodate differences; we embrace and celebrate them. So, why work at Flinders?

• 17% Superannuation + salary packaging options
• Our commitment to wellbeing through our Thriving@Flinders initiative
• Wide range of professional development activities and services, including exclusive staff study offers
• We embrace diversity and promote equity and inclusion for all students and staff, as shown through our three SAGE Cygnet Awards.
• Vibrant campus life and amenities including on campushealth care services,gymandchildcare centre (Bedford Park, South Australia).

Flinders University is proud to be an organisation that is committed to our Reconciliation Action Plan and Indigenous Workforce Strategy. Our vision is to be a preferred employer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We are committed to progressing Indigenous advancement in education, research, employment, and wellbeing, and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for all Flinders vacancies.

Prescribed Conditions for Employment

A current Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check which is satisfactory to the University will be required by Flinders University before the successful applicant can commence in this position. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration. Each case will be assessed on its individual merits and relevance to the inherent requirements of the role.

Certification Applications to be submitted before 10.00pm: 25 Oct 2026

At Flinders we embrace and celebrate diversity and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people of all ages, ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities. Flinders. Fearless. Flinders University is a globally focused, locally engaged institution with a reputation for excellence in teaching, learning and research. Students are at the heart of Flinders – we’re focused on supporting their exceptional learning experience and equipping them with the skills to succeed in life beyond study. Our touchstone is that university life is enjoyable and enriching for all students, and our campuses are energising places for our staff.