Category Manager

Tier 1 constructor
- 10 year full cycle program - Design, Construction, Maintenance
- Major water infrastructure projects in the western suburbs
- Sydney Olympic Park Office, projects within the western metro

**The Opportunity**

Due to new projects and increased outputs we are seeking Category Manager to be part of the West Region Delivery Team, working on critical infrastructure to deliver design, construction, maintenance and facility management services for the next ten (10) years, across wastewater and recycled water systems extending from Sydney’s Inner West suburbs out to the Blue Mountains, including the Western Sydney Growth Area and part of the North West Growth Centre.
- In partnership with the business, to develop, deploy and manage category strategies, and procurement and sourcing activities that ensure value for money, appropriate levels of service and compliance with procedures and professional best practice.
- To leverage Sydney Water’s buying power in goods and services, unlocking value from the supplier base and managing procurement processes effectively.
- Collaborating across business functions, to lead the development and maintenance of relationships with key suppliers and negotiation of contractual arrangements.
- To be a client relationship lead for key strategic business relationships, with the ability to manage complex internal business and external Suppliers with strategic procurement needs.
- To constantly seek to identify opportunities for improvement across business units by facilitating innovation in supply and increasing procurement capability in team and across Sydney Water.
- This role leads Corporation-Wide category strategies and strategic sourcing projects that balance a range of objectives, namely value for money, risk management, probity, reliability of supply, sound process and efficiency.

**Responsibilities**

As the **Category Manager **you will be responsible for the management of large, complex, procurement activities procurement in establishing project wide subcontracts - and you will bring with you a solid track record in strategic sourcing and network of suppliers supplier relationship management within the construction sector

The West Region Delivery Team home base will be located in western Sydney (Olympic Park)
- Lead strategic sourcing activities and management of large, complex categories or projects and often facilitate expert reference groups.
- Lead supplier event days and other internal/external communication forums aimed at developing and engaging with the supply base to improve performance.
- Lead cross-functional teams in the evaluation of large, complex, organisation-wide agreements.
- Deep understanding of financial, commercial, and regulatory cost drivers provides advice on the business implications of costs/ benefits to ensure the outcomes are aligned to the organisation’s strategic goals.
- Analyses and influences a diverse and complex set of cost drivers and applies extensive knowledge of category management principles, tools, and best practices to consistently exceed savings targets & strategic objectives.
- Selects and develops category strategies and other tools/concepts that will achieve the greatest, sustainable impact on the total cost of ownership.
- Possesses extensive knowledge of assigned categories including industry players, emerging trends, and competitive strategies.
- Knows and can talk to all supply chain, procurement components and the key drivers of performance which drive the benefits realisation.
- Develop detailed Contract Management Plans, KPIs, performance reviews, governance structures, resources, benefits tracking and reporting for significant projects and procurement categories.
- Develops strong supplier relationships, meeting with the supplier to evaluate performance against established criteria and the terms of SLAs.
- Looks for opportunities to improve supplier relationships and agreements and acts on these opportunities.
- Identifies, develops, and implements project schedules and plans; prepares accurate documentation to support cost and resource estimates for projects.
- Collaborates effectively with other project team members and promotes the use of project management tools, principles, quality assurance and governance frameworks.

**What we need from you**

Ideally you will have experience in the Water utilities sector or with field exposure to treatment facilities/ networks infrastructure. You will have;
- 7+ years’ experience in category management in a large complex organisation, preferably in a similar organisation or industry sector
- Demonstrated experience in partnering with the business to develop effective category and procurement strategies, lead commercial negotiations and manage contracts across the lifecycle.
- Ability to partner closely with the business while maintaining a degree of functional independence.
- Professional Procurement (e.g. MCIPS) qualification

**Benefits**

If you ha