Category Management Specialist

We're on a mission to bring new and uplifting experiences to our guests, transforming flying from simply 'nice', to something wonderful.

Like any good mission, this one starts with our people.

Which is why we encourage our team to embody the fun, laid back, authentic spirit we've become famous for. Because when they're free to be themselves, they're better able to own their personal responsibilities and go the extra mile to help our guests.

Job Overview

Work type:

Full-Time (Permanent)

Location:

Brisbane

Job type:

Procurement

09 Oct 2025 E. Australia Standard Time

Category Management Specialist

Procurement Category Management Specialist

- Full-time, permanent role
- Southbank, Brisbane and Brisbane Airport Hangar (location with flexibility to work from home up to two days per week

Hello. We’re Virgin Australia. We’re the airline that’s always done things a little different. Our way. The Virgin way. We’re on a mission to make flying better than ‘nice’. And to do that, it takes a team of talented people who are passionate about customer experience, doing the right thing always, with a focus on safety – in the air, on the ground and in our workplaces. A team who values real diversity and inclusion, in a big brand with big ambitions.

What you’ll be doing:

As the Category Management Specialist within the Strategic Procurement team, you will be responsible for end-to-end procurement activities across your assigned categories.

In this role, you will collaborate with key stakeholders to develop and implement robust procurement strategies, negotiate contracts that deliver value for money, and manage risks while ensuring compliance with procurement policies and industry best practices.

You will translate agreed category strategies into a robust pipeline of procurement activities, covering both short-term execution and longer-term planning. You will:

- Act as a trusted commercial advisor, building and maintaining strong relationships with internal stakeholders to drive process efficiencies, support business needs, and maximise value.
- Develop and refine category plans by analysing internal data, industry trends, and competitor insights to inform strategic sourcing decisions, mitigate risks, and deliver business value.
- Lead strategic sourcing initiatives, draft terms and conditions, and negotiate complex service arrangements to achieve optimal outcomes for the airline.
- Lead Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) meetings with strategic suppliers, ensuring a balanced approach between service quality and commercial objectives.
- Provide guidance to business owners on the interpretation and intent of strategic contracts, acting as the first point of escalation for supplier issues related to contract compliance.

You’ll be great in this role if you have:

- Experience in strategic category management across the end-to-end procurement value chain (demand, source, fulfil, manage).
- 5+ years’ experience in strategic sourcing, category management, and procurement experience, including at least 3 years in a Category Management role.
- Experience in leading RFx processes through to contract execution
- Strong demonstrable understanding of category strategy development and ability to articulate its alignment with overall business goals.
- Advanced influencing, communication, and negotiation skills.
- Experience in developing cost models and business cases for senior management approval.
- Excellent written, verbal communication and presentation skills, in particular the ability to influence and gain support and commitment from key stakeholders and Senior Management.
- Strong commercial acumen and problem-solving skills, with a clear understanding of the drivers affecting the business, enabling assertive and effective guidance to business stakeholders.
- You are based in the greater Brisbane area, or you are willing to relocate to Brisbane
- Experience working within engineering, technical services, or aviation environments
- Familiarity with complex technical service (MRO) contracts and maintenance agreements
- Understanding of aviation regulatory compliance requirements in technical/engineering contexts

We’re committed to looking after you, with some of the best benefits and conditions in the industry – including (but not limited to):

- Heavily discounted air travel for you and your loved ones (including $1000 worth of travel credits per year)
- Flexible working arrangements (including work hours and work from home)
- Discounts on travel insurance, car hire, accommodation and experiences worldwide
- Hospitality, retail, technology, beauty services and wellness discounts
- Wellness support, including the betterme digital wellbeing platform
- A comprehensive Employee Assistance Program, which offers confidential coaching and support from qualified professionals for all aspects of life – physical, mental, social and financial
- Dress for Your Day – enjoy the freedom to wear whatever is appropriate for the type of work you do and the day you have ahead of you

When everyone is included, everyone wins

We’re all individuals. And we love that. That’s why we encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, people with disability, those from diverse cultural backgrounds, our friends in the LGBTQI+ community, and anyone else who wants to join our family.

Ready to apply?We’re ready to hear from you. Apply now.

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