Category Officer – Supply Chain Operations

Drive strategic sourcing and supplier performance across targeted spend areas, delivering value through smart category planning, strong stakeholder partnerships and procurement best practice.

About the Company

SA Water is a successful, modern water utility wholly owned by the Government of South Australia. We employ more than 1,700 people across a broad range of disciplines who operate more than $14 billion worth of infrastructure to deliver essential water and sewerage services to more than 1.8 million South Australians.

We operate in a geographically and climatically diverse service area, with sites and locations from Ceduna through to Port Augusta, the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, across to the Riverland, down to Mount Gambier, and most places in between.

Our strength and expertise have been shaped by our history. For more than 165 years, South Australians have depended on us to innovate and deliver efficient and sustainable water services. With nationally and internationally recognised industry expertise, we're focused on understanding and meeting our customers' expectations.

As well as safely delivering smart and reliable services for our customers of today, we innovate to shape the water solutions of the future that will support thriving economies and healthy communities.

We are driven by our values; we value our people, we do work that matters, we keep it real, we know that our work has impact and we are future focussed. Staying true to our values ensures that we consistently deliver positive outcomes for all South Australians.

About Our Supply Chain Team

Our Supply Chain team is award winning, taking out the Procurement Team of the Year - Large Organisation award at the 2024 Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply Awards Australia and New Zealand. These awards are an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the best work and teams in the procurement profession.

This team award recognises high performing procurement teams who have made significant improvements to their performance and culture resulting in increased effectiveness, influence, efficiencies, savings or competitive advantage.

To find out more about our Supply Chain team and how we work visit

About the job

This newly created Category Officer role in the Supply Chain Operations team supports SA Water's procurement strategy by managing low to medium complexity spend areas. The role focuses on tendering activities, analysing markets, and building supplier relationships to drive value and ensure compliance. Working closely with stakeholders, the Category Officer plays a key part in delivering commercial outcomes and supporting continuous improvement across sourcing activities.

About Business Insights and Excellence

The Business Insights and Excellence group drives operational excellence by enabling best business financial practices, economic pricing, supply chain management, and corporate governance and risk management to support the broader business and partners in delivering reliable, cost-effective, sustainable, and future-focused outcomes.

Your responsibilities for this opportunity

Fostering trust with our people, customers and community by providing expert advice and service that ensure we effectively communicate and engage audiences with our business strategy and its delivery across South Australia, every day.

You will:

• Support the delivery of category management plans and action items for assigned sub-categories
• Conduct sourcing, contract extensions, and supplier performance management
• Provide market intelligence, benchmarking, and spend analysis to support decision-making
• Partner with stakeholders to identify procurement opportunities and deliver business value
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies and contribute to risk and continuity planning

Your success in this role will come from:

• Strong procurement and contracting experience, including negotiation and supplier management
• Procurement experience in relation to the following Supply Chain categories - operational services, corporate services, equipment and consumables (desirable)
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and relationship-building skills
• Strong analytical and research capabilities
• Proficiency in MS Excel, Word, and Outlook
• Tertiary qualifications in Procurement, Law, or Commercial disciplines (desirable)

To apply, click 'Apply'. Please submit and complete the application form, upload a cover letter and current resume. For enquiries or a copy of the PD, please contact Tracy from the Talent Acquisition team

Applications close 4pm, 30 October 2025.

A great customer experience is best achieved by having a diverse and inclusive team that reflects the community we serve. Applications are encouraged from everyone, including people living with disability, job seekers of all ages, members of the LGBTQA+ community, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.

Our Industry is like no other. Dive into the wonderful world of water and explore the boundless opportunities. Learn more about the water industry at

Please note: We request that recruitment agencies do not submit candidates for this position, as they will not be accepted.