Category Lead

Permanent full time position

Salary $103,276 plus superannuation

Our organisation

We exist to deliver essential water, wastewater, and waste recovery services that support the health, safety, and wellbeing in the Gippsland community. As a key employer in our region, we play a vital role in shaping a sustainable future while driving positive outcomes for our environment, economy, and people.

We're committed to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive by offering:

• Flexible work arrangements to support your work/life balance

• Diverse career opportunities and ongoing professional development

• A supportive and inclusive culture where our people feel safe to bring their full and authentic self to work.

• Competitive employee benefits that make your professional and personal experiences rewarding 

Our focus is on building a highly skilled, customer-focused team, united by a shared purpose, to make a real difference in the community we serve.

Contribute to a team that's committed to innovation, prioritising our customers and creating a better future for our region.

The role

Reporting to the Senior Supply Chain Lead, you will play a key role in leading category management and delivering commercial outcomes across assigned procurement categories. You will develop and implement category strategies, establish forward procurement plans and sourcing pipelines, identify opportunities for demand aggregation and supplier optimisation, and lead medium to high-value sourcing activities that deliver value-for-money outcomes across the organisation. You will also provide commercial leadership in supplier negotiations, contract formation and procurement decision-making while ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and procurement frameworks.

Working closely with stakeholders across Gippsland Water, you will act as a trusted procurement advisor, providing expert guidance on sourcing strategies, market approaches and commercial considerations. The role also includes leading and developing Sourcing Officers, ensuring procurement activities are compliant, well-documented and audit-ready, and supporting the adoption of ERP and Integrated Enterprise Management System (IEMS) processes. 

What you’ll bring 

• Demonstrated experience in procurement, sourcing or category management roles. 

• Experience leading complex or high-value sourcing activities from planning through to contract award. 

• Strong knowledge of category management, strategic sourcing and commercial negotiation. 

• Proven leadership experience, including developing and supporting procurement professionals. 

• Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication and influencing skills. 

• Strong analytical capability and sound commercial judgement. 

• A relevant tertiary qualification in procurement, supply chain, commerce or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.

Freedom

We offer a variety of flexible arrangements to suit our employees varied needs and the business, including purchased leave, varied start and finish times, working from alternative locations and accrued days off. We understand that Gippsland Water and our customers benefit from enabling our employees to achieve balance in work and life.

How to apply

For specific enquiries relating to this position, please contact Tarlee Whittaker, Senior Supply Chain Lead on 0447 843 649.

Applications close 27 September 2026.

To view the Position Description click here

If you are excited about this opportunity, please upload your current resume and a cover letter that tells us why you are interested in this role, and the key skills, qualities and experience you can bring.

Shortlisted applicants may be required to undertake a National Police Check.