Procurement Category Manager

Simplot; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Health & wellbeing programs

Leadership development programs

Employee reward program

Bonus incentives

Novated car leasing

Income protection insurance

Annual leave purchase

Job summary

Simplot is seeking a seasoned Procurement Category Manager to lead APAC indirect sourcing from its Mentone-based team. You will shape category strategies, manage supplier relationships, and drive commercial value across diverse portfolios, collaborating with global procurement colleagues.

You will work with stakeholders to prioritise initiatives, negotiate contracts, and deliver cost reductions while navigating a fast-paced, global environment. Flexibility for regional locations is considered.

Qualifications

• Extensive procurement category management or strategic sourcing experience.
• Experience with SAP Ariba and MS Office.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills.
• Ability to influence across levels in a global business.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute APAC category strategies delivering value and cost outcomes.
• Lead end-to-end sourcing: RFIs, RFPs, RFQs, negotiations, contracts.
• Manage a diverse indirect procurement portfolio across APAC regions.
• Analyse spend and market data to inform category plans.
• Collaborate with global teams and stakeholders to drive improvements.
• Identify opportunities to improve value and drive cost reductions.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Negotiation

Strategic thinking

Communication

Leadership

Problem-solving

Tools

SAP Ariba

Microsoft Office

Job description

In Australia, the Simplot Company's core operations are food manufacturing and agriculture, encompassing potato, vegetable, seafood and sauce operations. We supply a wide range of frozen, shelf-stable and chilled products to major retail and foodservice customers in Australia and New Zealand. The Simplot Global Food business includes 17 food manufacturing and processing sites, serving retail and foodservice customers in 37 countries, with 8,000 people across North America, Latin America and Asia Pacific. Globally, the J.R. Simplot Company employs 15,000 people, driving innovation and excellence across diverse industries.

Within the Australian market, we are a leading provider of quality, nourishing and sustainable food, focussed on creating meals that maximises value from the best Australian-grown produce and global seafood. Our iconic brands have been an integral part of Aussie life for generations, and include Leggo's, Birds Eye, Edgell, John West and Chiko.

At Simplot, we are fuelled by our purpose: We Contribute to Feeding Our World. We imagine a better future and set goals to reach it. We are committed to working as one Simplot and are guided by our shared values:

• Respect for Resources
• Spirit of Innovation
• Passion for People

We embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion. We care about creating an environment that promotes safety and wellbeing and where our people feel supported, respected and empowered. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination and are committed to providing equal opportunities for all our team members.

Simplot is passionate about cultivating a future where good ideas and inspiring possibilities have the chance to grow. We want our team members to build exciting and fulfilling careers with us and offer professional and personal growth opportunities.

The Perks

• Flexible working arrangements and a variety of engaging Health and Wellbeing programs
• Diverse Leadership Development Programs and Professional Development Support
• Employee Reward and Recognition Program
• Bonus incentives and discounted Health Insurance
• Sensory Club Program – Enjoy and taste our new product launches and access to our Culinary cooking sessions
• Novated Car Leasing Agreements
• Income Protection Insurance
• Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave

About Our Role

We're looking for a Procurement Category Manager to join our Global Indirect Procurement team. Based at Chifley Park in Mentone (with flexibility for regional locations considered), this role reports to the Procurement Senior Category Manager APAC.

In this role, you will lead category planning and sourcing activities across a diverse indirect procurement portfolio throughout the APAC region. Working closely with stakeholders across multiple business functions and regions, you will develop category strategies, drive sourcing initiatives, manage supplier relationships and identify opportunities to deliver commercial value across the enterprise.

This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially minded procurement professional who enjoys building strong relationships, influencing outcomes and working autonomously in a fast-paced global environment. You will be part of a supportive and collaborative global team, with the opportunity to make a tangible impact while gaining exposure to a broad range of categories, suppliers and business stakeholders across APAC.

What You Will Do

• Develop and execute category strategies that deliver value, cost optimisation and long-term commercial outcomes.
• Build strong stakeholder relationships and partner with business leaders to identify, prioritise and deliver procurement initiatives.
• Lead end-to-end sourcing activities including RFIs, RFPs, RFQs, supplier evaluations, negotiations and contract development.
• Manage a diverse portfolio of indirect procurement categories across APAC, including areas such as capital projects, engineering services, uniforms, pest control and quality testing.
• Conduct spend analysis, market analysis and should-cost assessments to inform sourcing decisions and category plans.
• Develop and manage supplier relationships to ensure performance, service, quality and cost commitments are achieved.
• Collaborate with global procurement teams and cross-functional stakeholders to support projects and share best practice.
• Identify opportunities, solve complex procurement challenges and drive continuous improvement initiatives across the business.

About You

• Proven experience in procurement, category management, strategic sourcing or a related supply chain discipline.
• Experience using SAP Ariba is essential, together with strong Microsoft Office skills.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, negotiation and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of an organisation.
• High emotional intelligence, with the ability to build trust, navigate challenging conversations and work effectively with a broad range of stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to think strategically to deliver practical commercial solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to develop procurement strategies and deliver commercial outcomes in a complex business environment.
• Proven ability to work independently, take ownership and identify opportunities to drive value and cost improvements.
• Experience managing supplier relationships, sourcing projects and contract negotiations. Comfortable working across different cultures, countries and time zones within a global business environment.

Applications close Friday 9th October. Simplot reserves the right to commence recruiting activity prior to closing date.

Travel Required: Up to 25%

Location(s): GF Chifley Business Park Office - Mentone

Country: Australia

Simplot is an equal opportunity employer and encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply.

If you require technical assistance, please email us at ***email_hidden***