Senior Manager, Category Management

Adelaide University; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 135,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Adelaide University is seeking a Senior Manager, Category Management to lead enterprise category planning, complex sourcing and strategic supplier partnerships, delivering value and responsible procurement outcomes across the university.

Reporting to the Director, Procurement, you will influence senior stakeholders, coach procurement professionals, and embed best-practice procurement, sustainability, risk management and commercial excellence across the institution.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualifications in procurement, business, commerce or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and education
• Extensive experience managing complex procurement categories and strategic sourcing initiatives in a large or complex organisation
• Proven ability to translate organisational priorities and market insights into category strategies that deliver measurable commercial value, service and outcomes
• Strong executive stakeholder engagement, supplier relationship management and negotiation and influencing skills
• Substantial leadership experience in procurement or category management, including coaching and developing high-performing procurement professionals
• Sound experience managing procurement risk, governance and compliance while enabling timely, commercially pragmatic decisions
• Experience leading technology and professional services categories will be highly regarded

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise category planning and complex sourcing initiatives
• Manage strategic supplier relationships delivering long-term value
• Influence senior stakeholders and coach procurement professionals
• Embed best-practice procurement, sustainability, risk management and commercial excellence
• Shape category strategies in alignment with institutional priorities

Skills

Procurement leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Negotiation

Category management

Coaching

Education

Postgraduate qualifications in procurement or related field

Job description

Salary range: $135,226 - $144,672 pa (+17% super)

• Coach and develop high-performing procurement professionals
• Technology and professional services category experience will be highly regarded
• Full-time continuing opportunity at Adelaide University
• Salary range: $135,226 - $144,672 per annum (plus 17% superannuation)

At Adelaide University, we create the opportunities you need to achieve your ambitions because when you thrive, we thrive.

We are transforming education for contemporary learners and global citizens. Building on a proud legacy and shaped by bold ambition, it’s a place of excellence and equity, where our vibrant community of staff are united by our purpose to inspire Australia’s future change-makers and create a better tomorrow.

Role Summary

Lead enterprise category management, complex sourcing and strategic supplier partnerships to deliver value, innovation and responsible procurement outcomes across Adelaide University.

Work that matters

As Senior Manager, Category Management, you will lead enterprise-wide category planning, complex sourcing initiatives and manage strategic supplier relationships that deliver long-term value for Adelaide University. Reporting to the Director, Procurement, you will influence senior stakeholders, coach and develop high-performing procurement professionals, and help embed best-practice procurement, sustainability, risk management and commercial excellence across the institution.

Curious to learn more? Explore the full role description above to discover more about this opportunity.

The team

Reporting to the Director, Procurement, this senior role sits within the Procurement team in the Finance Function. You will work closely with senior leaders, procurement colleagues and stakeholders across the University to shape category strategies, navigate complex commercial decisions and deliver outcomes that support institutional priorities, financial sustainability, innovation and operational excellence.

Our people are guided by purpose, curiosity and a commitment to lifelong learning. We embrace authenticity, innovation and collaboration, and harness diverse thinking in our pursuit of excellence.

This role will suit a commercially astute and collaborative procurement leader who enjoys shaping strategy, building trusted relationships and turning complex challenges into practical outcomes. You will bring credibility with senior stakeholders, a commitment to coaching and developing procurement professionals, and the judgement to balance strategic ambition with disciplined delivery.

Learn more about our people, what we stand for and what we offer at Careers at AU .

Experience

To join our community and thrive in this role, you will likely have the following skills and experience:

• Postgraduate qualifications in procurement, business, commerce or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and education
• Extensive experience managing complex procurement categories and strategic sourcing initiatives in a large or complex organisation
• Proven ability to translate organisational priorities and market insights into category strategies that deliver measurable commercial value, service and outcomes
• Strong executive stakeholder engagement, supplier relationship management and negotiation and influencing skills
• Substantial leadership experience in procurement or category management, including coaching and developing high-performing procurement professionals
• Sound experience managing procurement risk, governance and compliance while enabling timely, commercially pragmatic decisions
• Experience leading technology and professional services categories will be highly regarded

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity

We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion where diversity is celebrated and everyone feels respected and valued. Adelaide University, Tirkangkaku is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and equitable workplace where everyone can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, and people of all ages, genders, cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities. We are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements and providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

Launch your future with Adelaide University, Tirkangkaku now!

Applications welcomed from Australian or NZ citizens, Australian permanent residents and those who have the legal right to work in Australia for the term of appointment.

Submit your application by 11:30pm Tuesday 27 October 2026

For further information about this opportunity, please contact (quoting reference number 493534)