Strategic It Procurement & Contracts Lead

Nine; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Headspace access

Internal learning & development

Company discount

Flexible working

Egoless environment

International environment

Job summary

Nine in Sydney seeks a Buyer for the Grocery category to own planning, supplier governance, and inventory while balancing speed, cost, and risk. You’ll work across Procurement Operations and Production to implement end-to-end buying processes and tools.

The ideal candidate has strong Excel/Sheets skills, excellent communication, and a proactive problem-solving mindset with procurement/supply chain experience in fast-paced environments.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical skills and Excel/Google Sheets proficiency.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Ability to coordinate with multiple suppliers and internal teams.

Responsibilities

• Own supply planning for the Grocery category and audit purchase orders.
• Lead supplier reviews and monitor delivery performance and quality.
• Act as SME contact for category issues and resolve supply incidents.
• Balance forecast with capacity and manage inventory and SKU rationalization.
• Assist with cost reporting and resolve invoice discrepancies.
• Collaborate with production and Culinary teams to improve supply chain viability.
• Investigate major supply failures and drive process improvements.

Skills

Excel/Google Sheets

Strong communication

Analytical thinking

Job description

Based in Chippendale and reporting to our Procurement Operations Lead, this high-impact role places you right at the core of our supply chain. As a Buyer, you’ll take full ownership of the Grocery category balancing speed, cost efficiency, and risk mitigation to keep our operations running seamlessly.

You’ll be the key connector across the business, collaborating daily with external suppliers alongside our Strategic Procurement, Production, Menu Planning, Warehouse, and Logistics teams. We are looking for a thoughtful, organized, and collaborative problem-solver who is excited to jump in, bring fresh ideas, and help build smarter end-to-end buying processes and tools as we continue to grow.

You will…

• Supply Planning & Operational Execution: Own supply planning for the Grocery category, including auditing purchase orders for accuracy, executing emergency POs, and managing stock‑on‑hand and ordering processes.
• Supplier Performance & Governance: Lead Weekly, Monthly, and Quarterly Business Reviews with key suppliers. Track On-Time In-Full metrics, error rates, and quality issues to ensure high supplier performance and delivery precision.
• Incident Resolution & SME Contact: Act as the Subject Matter Expert and primary operational contact for category product or supplier issues, resolving supply‑related incidents before they impact production.
• Inventory & Lifecycle Management: Balance forecasted demand with supply capacity to maintain optimal inventory. Implement buffer management to prevent shortages, lead SKU rationalization, and manage Stock Rundown Planning for phasing out ingredients.
• Financial Integrity & Invoice Validation: Assist with cost reporting and resolve invoice discrepancies regarding price or quantity mismatches in a timely manner.
• Strategic & Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Regularly visit production sites, communicate with production teams to drive continuous improvement, and provide supply chain viability advice on new ingredients to Culinary teams.
• Root Cause Analysis: Investigate major supply chain failures or waste incidents to implement preventative measures and drive permanent process improvements.
• Ideally, some experience in procurement, operations or supply chain working in a comparable role.
• An organised approach to work and have the ability to think on your feet.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Good analytical skills, strong command of Excel/Google Sheets is a must.
• A “whatever it takes” mentality that drives you to find solutions quickly and whenever needed.
• Proactive, confident in manner and are able to deal with a large and complex network of suppliers delivering a large quantity and variety of perishable ingredients.
• Passionate about our business: a foodie or an operations and problem‑solving zealot.

What you’ll get in return…

• The chance to have a significant impact in a leading global food technology company.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Egoless environment, constant learning with room for personal growth.
• Free access to Headspace.
• Internal learning & development.
• A diverse and vibrant international environment, with offices in 18 countries.
• Company discount – 70% off HelloFresh & 40% off Youfoodz.

Start Date:

Immediately available – Can wait a notice period.

Duration:

12‑Month Fixed Term Contract – You must have the right to work full‑time in Australia/New Zel.

Location:

Chippendale – hybrid working environment.

Salary:

Competitive salary & employee benefits.