Procurement Category Manager

**Why join us?**

We have a long history of providing exceptional care that empowers older people to live a full life. When you join us, you will be provided with not-for-profit salary packaging benefits and the support of an experienced leadership team.

**Southern Cross Benefits**
- Salary Packaging ($15,900), plus meal and entertainment benefit package to the value of $2,650
- Heart HQ - our Southern Cross Care (NSW & ACT) People Platform, packed with exclusive retail discounts, and features designed to help you celebrate, connect and succeed
- Fitness Passport - Discounted workplace health and fitness program available to you and your family. Gain full access to nominated gyms, pools, health and leisure centres across NSW & ACT
- Discounted private health insurance
- Wellbeing initiatives such as Reward and Recognition Program, Employee Assistance Program
- Annual leave loading
- Ongoing Training and Development
- Linkedin Training - SCC's Senior Leaders and Support Office teams can access a digital library of over 6000 courses
- Genuine Career Progression Pathways - Buddy Program, New Grad Elevate Program, Study Support
- Referral Bonus Program

**The Role** - 12-month Fixed Term w/ up to $10k Completion Bonus (linked to both performance metrics and successful fulfilment of the term) based at Epping Head Office.

The Category Manager reports to the Procurement Lead and sits within the Finance & Procurement function. You will work closely with clinical stakeholders, Facility and Residential Managers, Regional Care teams, Property & Assets, IT, and Quality & Risk. You’ll also manage external relationships with key clinical suppliers, contractors, consultants, and compliance bodies.

This role is embedded in our core care and support model, ensuring procurement decisions are aligned with clinical safety, aged care standards, and value-for-money principles.

**Strategic Sourcing and Clinical Category Management**
- Lead procurement planning and category strategy development across clinical supplies, consumables, capital equipment, and care-related services.
- Analyse consumption, supplier performance, and cost trends to inform sourcing decisions and consolidate purchasing power.
- Conduct compliant, end-to-end procurement processes, including tenders, RFQs and direct negotiations for critical clinical categories.
- Partner with stakeholders (e.g., Clinical Leads, Residential Managers, Infection Control) to define technical specifications and evaluate products or services

**Contract and Vendor Management**
- Oversee contract development, negotiation, implementation, and lifecycle management across clinical supply vendors and care service providers.
- Monitor supplier performance through KPIs, incident reviews, and stakeholder feedback.
- Maintain accurate, up-to-date contract registers, product catalogues, and supplier profiles.
- Work with the Quality team to ensure supplier contracts meet aged care sector safety and compliance expectations

**Policy, Governance and Continuous Improvement**
- Ensure procurement activities comply with SCC policy, aged care regulatory requirements, and clinical risk protocols.
- Maintain and improve templates, policies, and SOPs related to clinical procurement and supplier onboarding.
- Identify and lead opportunities for improvement in inventory management, ordering processes, and contract efficiency.
- Support internal audits, supplier due diligence and incident investigations related to clinical procurement

**Collaboration and Commercial Support**
- Build strong internal partnerships with clinical, care, and operations leaders to understand needs and translate them into practical procurement outcomes.
- Provide commercial advice on product trials, contract transitions, and lifecycle planning of clinical equipment.
- Represent Procurement on project teams involving clinical innovation, new service delivery models, or major capital acquisitions.

**Personal Attributes**
- Clinically aware and commercially astute, with a strong safety and care lens.
- Collaborative and confident, able to influence across clinical and business teams.
- Detail-focused with strong follow-through and stakeholder empathy.
- Professional, reliable and aligned with SCC’s HEART values.

**Education and Experience**
- Certificate or Diploma in Procurement, Purchasing, Supply Chain or similar.
- 5+ years’ experience in category management, sourcing or contract management.
- Prior experience managing clinical or aged care equipment, services, or consumables.
- (Desirable) Experience in aged care, healthcare, or not-for-profit environments.

**Skills and Capability**
- Deep knowledge of end-to-end procurement and contracting processes.
- Strong vendor and stakeholder management skills across clinical and operational settings.
- Excellent negotiation, analytical and reporting capabilities.
- Advanced Excel and contract management software experience.
- Understanding of regulatory frameworks relevant t