Category Specialist

At Compass Group, we’re shaping a better tomorrow by enriching people, communities, and the planet. We believe in seeing and nourishing individuals as a whole. By focusing on meaningful work and positive impacts, we create a workplace where you can grow and develop._

We are the largest national foodservice and hospitality procurement and supply chain organisation in Australia. As the sole sourcing partner for our parent company, Compass Group Australia, Foodbuy offers an unmatched advantage through our economies of scale and dedicated procurement, contracting and supply management capability.

Our passion for procurement is led by our Supply Chain talent. We seek to establish true partnerships with our Clients and Supply Partners delivering growth and innovation for all. Our Values represent the cornerstone of how we achieve this together.

**The Position**

In this role, you’ll support our Foodbuy division, reporting to the Category Manager, the Category Specialist will be responsible for overseeing a portfolio with day to day operational and project procurement duties. The Category Specialist will drive category management execution on allocated spend areas with a high focus on the delivery of sourcing events including market review, negotiation planning, contract negotiation and execution.

You will manage commercial elements, including system pricing and benchmarking as well as provide counsel and training to the Procurement Operations Specialist, as required.

**The Role**
- Manage and conduct sourcing activities (RF-x) across categories
- Lead strategic sourcing events including (RFQ/RFP/RFI, online auctions) to optimise cost, quality, delivery, and technology standards, while bringing a local perspective to national categories.
- Ensure procurement activities include, promote, and support our global ESG focus including social and sustainable procurement objectives
- Manage the day-to-day sourcing of new products/services, ensuring alignment with the overall category strategy
- Manage pricing strategies and ensure competitive and consistent pricing across categories
- Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to ensure optimal performance and collaboration
- Support Risk Management Strategies across supplier base
- Monitor market trends and provide regular updates on market intelligence and customer insights
- Oversee contract execution and ensure timely and efficient delivery of agreed terms
- Manage system reporting, data maintenance, and ensure accuracy of price files and pipeline data
- Ensure supplier compliance and support onboarding processes, including Supply Chain Queries, Supplier Service Reports, Supplier, Product, Invoice, Delivery and Document, and Supplier Risk Assessment
- Manage an effective and structured Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) Program which strengthens and develops positive and customer-focussed relationships across the supply chain that consistently drive the highest standards of service, quality and innovation
- Provide support for accounts payable, bid processes, SKU & supplier optimisation, product recalls, OOS issues, and ensure assured supply

**The Person**
- Relevant completed or currently completing tertiary qualifications in either Business, CIPS, IFPSM or AAPCM qualification or possess experience in a similar role with demonstrated 2-3 years’ experience
- Demonstrate organisational skills and ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment with ability to handle multiple assignments simultaneously and prioritise work to meet all deadlines
- Solid analytical skills with high level of attention to detail. Requires an understanding of the importance of database management and can instil an atmosphere of rigour and reliability in this area within the team
- Computer literate with intermediate/advanced skills in full MS Office Suite: including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
- Able to handle ambiguity effectively, managing multiple stakeholders, solving operational issues, fostering change and resolving conflict
- Developed and senior level professional procurement and strategic procurement experience - ideally in distribution category or associated field
- Proven and effective professional negotiation and contract management experience
- Track record of procurement category value delivery and effective SRM
- Conduct data review, analysis, and deliver clear, actionable presentations
- Familiar with working in a service industry with an expectation of high customer service levels

**The Benefits**

Working with a large global company means you can be assured that we have an attractive benefits program This includes comprehensive learning & development offerings, a variety of recognition programs and company discounts, an excellent salary benchmarking matrix and at this management level also includes an incentive bonus scheme You can read all about these here: Why work at Compass