Procurement Category Management Specialist

**Work type**:
Full-Time (Permanent)**Location**:
Brisbane**Job type**:
Procurement**Applications close**:
**Procurement Category Management Specialist**:

- Newly created, full-time, permanent role
- Southbank, Brisbane 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 Product and Services Portfolio (which includes categories such as food and beverage, catering, contact centre, uniforms, contingent labour and other such categories), you will be responsible for end-to-end Procurement activities within this space.

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 short-term execution and longer-term planning. **Due to growth, this is a newly created position**that will report to the Procurement Portfolio Manager. 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 contract managers 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).
- 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.
- 5+ years’ experience in strategic sourcing, category management, and procurement experience, including at least 3 years in a Category Management role.
- Advanced influencing, communication, and negotiation skills.
- Experience in developing cost models and business cases for senior management approval.
- Possess strong leadership skills with demonstrable ability in running cross-functional projects/teams, delivering time-sensitive outcomes, and managing change.
- 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**

**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
- Discounted Virgin Australia Lounge membership
- 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**

**Ready to apply?**

We’re ready to hear from you.