Category Specialist Maintenance and Operations

**About Southern Ports**
Southern Ports manages the three gateway ports of Albany, Bunbury and Esperance, and facilitates trade through the commercial management of efficient, safe, sustainable, and customer-focused ports. Our three regional ports play a vital role in connecting Western Australia with world markets. It is our belief that strong regional ports lead to strong regions, and that results in economic and social benefits for the communities across the regions we serve. Our people are our greatest asset, and we are committed to supporting our teams and building a diverse and capable workforce that is geared to meet the current and future needs of our customers and the sustainability of our ports.

Our Vision: Strong Regional Ports, Strong Regions.

**The Role**
Reporting to the Procurement Manager, the Category Specialist accountabilities and functions include supporting Southern Ports’ procurement team and procurement process to deliver products and services to maintenance and operations. The role will also support the delivery of Southern Ports’ procurement transformation project.

The Category Specialist is a business partner providing contracting and procurement support to key internal stakeholders. This is a fixed term role for a period of 12 months.

**Key Duties**
- Manage assigned procurement categories for all SPA business needs
- Lead the development and delivery of sourcing and category plans to achieve stakeholder requirements
- Increase stakeholder satisfaction with the Procurement function by identifying and engaging collaboratively with stakeholders to ensure supply chain strategy alignment and delivery of solutions that deliver value
- Proactively engage with assigned category core and strategic market suppliers
- Utilise procurement systems (FELIX Vendor Management & Microsoft D365 ERP)
- Formulate, coordinate and undertake procurement sourcing (EOI, RFP, RFQ, RFT)
- Administer contracts post award including contract variations, milestone payments, contract securities and change requests
- Manage supplier delivery performance and maintain strategic relationships.
- Provide support, advice and ensure that procurement policies and procedures are followed and assist in the ongoing improvement and development of them.

**The Expertise**
- Suitable Degree Qualification in business, commerce, legal or related background
- Minimum 3 years’ experience in a similar role
- Practical hands-on experience in negotiating, documenting, managing, and closing out contracts
- Experience in using ERP systems and Procure to Pay (P2P) business process
- Track record of successful stakeholder relationship development and management
- Knowledge of maintenance and production category scopes and markets
- Knowledge of forms of contract and commercial models supporting maintenance and production categories
- Proven negotiation skills
- Methodical and precise approach to handling commercial and contractual information
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to convey information in a clear, concise manner
- Ability to travel to other Southern Ports locations (Albany, Bunbury, Esperance and Perth)
- Current WA C Class Driver’s Licence.

**Requirements**:
To be eligible for this 12-month fixed term role, applicants must be able to provide proof of Australian citizenship or permanent residency.

The successful applicant must have a current WA driver’s licence, be able to obtain and maintain a Maritime Security Access Card and undergo a pre-employment medical assessment including drug and alcohol testing.