Senior Category Manager - Technology

University of New South Wales; Sydney; On-site; AUD 154,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17% Superannuation contributions and &

Additional leave loading payments

3 extra days of leave over Christmas

Discounts and entitlements

Job summary

University of New South Wales (UNSW) is seeking a Senior Category Manager, Technology to lead strategic IT procurement and sourcing initiatives across the IT portfolio. You will negotiate complex contracts, drive value optimisation, and manage procurement risks while working with faculties and divisions to align with UNSW priorities.

Reporting to the Procurement Manager, you will provide mentorship to category teams, oversee market engagements and ensure compliant, effective procurement outcomes

Qualifications

• Experience managing major IT procurement projects across multiple technology categories.
• End-to-end technology procurement experience across systems integration, SaaS, networking and IT infrastructure.
• Proven ability to develop and implement procurement strategies that deliver cost savings and process improvements.
• Strong negotiation and contract management with emphasis on risk mitigation and value optimisation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic technology sourcing projects aligned with UNSW strategy, coordinating cross-functional teams and engaging executive stakeholders.
• Develop and implement category plans and procurement roadmaps with the Procurement Manager.
• Lead market engagement and sourcing events to achieve competitive procurement outcomes.
• Negotiate and manage complex commercial contracts, ensuring value optimisation and risk mitigation.
• Provide expert procurement advice on sourcing strategies, supplier performance and risks.
• Build and maintain relationships with senior stakeholders, suppliers and industry bodies.
• Mentor category team members and support problem solving and stakeholder management.
• Maintain procurement data, contract records and reporting to track benefits and obligations.

Job description

University of New South Wales – Kensington NSW

• Duration: Fixed-term contract until 29 November 2028
• Remuneration: (Level 9) $153,933 – $163,338 + 17% superannuation + leave loading
• Location: UNSW Kensington Campus

About UNSW:

UNSW isn’t like other places you’ve worked. Yes, we’re a large organisation with a diverse and talented community, a community doing extraordinary things. Together, we are driven to be thoughtful, practical, and purposeful in all we do. Taking this combined approach is what makes our work matter. If you want a career where you can thrive, be challenged and do meaningful work, you’re in the right place.

Why Your Role Matters:

The Senior Category Manager, Technology plays a key role in delivering strategic procurement outcomes across UNSW, developing and executing sourcing strategies aligned with the University's strategic priorities.

Working across the IT portfolio, you will lead complex strategic sourcing initiatives, manage commercial negotiations and provide expert procurement advice to senior stakeholders. You will work collaboratively with faculties and divisions to understand business needs, optimise commercial value and proactively manage procurement and supply risks.

Reporting to the Procurement Manager, this position has no direct reports but provides leadership, coaching and mentoring to category teams across portfolios, supporting the successful delivery of complex procurement initiatives.

Responsibilities Summary:

• Lead strategic technology sourcing projects aligned with the UNSW Strategy, coordinating cross-functional teams and engaging executive-level stakeholders.
• Develop and implement category plans, sourcing strategies and procurement roadmaps in collaboration with the Procurement Manager.
• Lead market engagement and sourcing events to deliver competitive procurement outcomes.
• Negotiate and manage complex commercial contracts, ensuring value optimisation, risk mitigation and compliance.
• Provide expert commercial advice on sourcing strategies, negotiation approaches, supplier performance and procurement risks.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders, suppliers and industry bodies.
• Mentor and coach category team members, supporting problem solving and stakeholder relationship management.
• Maintain accurate procurement data, contract records and reporting to track benefits, pipeline activity and contractual obligations.

For more information regarding the responsibilities for this role, please refer to the Position Description at JOBS@UNSW.

Skills and Experience Summary:

• Relevant tertiary qualification with extensive relevant experience, or equivalent competency gained through education, training or experience. Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (MCIPS) accreditation is desirable.
• Experience managing major IT procurement projects, including coordinating procurement activities across multiple technology categories.
• Demonstrated end-to-end technology procurement experience across a broad range of categories including systems integration, telecommunications, Saas, networking, and IT infrastructure, with experience managing procurement involving multinational technology vendors.
• Extensive procurement experience, including the application of leading-edge technologies, innovative solutions and emerging technology trends.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing procurement strategies that deliver cost savings, process improvements and enhanced performance.
• Proven expertise in negotiating and managing complex commercial agreements, with a strong focus on risk mitigation and value optimisation.
• Outstanding interpersonal, negotiation, influencing and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated strategic planning capability, including developing and implementing effective operational plans.
• Demonstrated ability to adopt innovative procurement methods, challenge existing processes and deliver commercially astute outcomes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, customer service orientation and problem-solving capability.

Benefits and Culture:

People are at the core of everything we do. We recognise it is the contributions of our staff who make UNSW one of the best universities in Australia and the world. Our benefits include:

• 17% Superannuation contributions and additional leave loading payments
• Additional 3 days of leave over Christmas period
• Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness)

A copy of the Position Description can be found on JOBS@UNSW.

Pre-Employment Checks

As part of our recruitment process candidates may be required to undergo pre-employment screening, which may include reference checks, qualification verification, right-to-work verification, and criminal history screening where relevant to the role.

UNSW is committed to evolving a culture that embraces equity and supports a diverse and inclusive community where everyone can participate fairly, in a safe and respectful environment. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and encourage applications from people of diverse gender, sexual orientation, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, people with disability and those with caring and family responsibilities. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.