Category Management Specialist

This role is based at out Head Office at Southbank. This is a Hybrid role – 3 days in the office / 2 work from home

Hello. We’re Virgin Australia. We’re the airline that’s always done things a little different. Our way. The Virgin way. We’re on a mission to make flying better than ‘nice’. And to do that, it takes a team of talented people who are passionate about customer experience, doing the right thing always, with a focus on safety – in the air, on the ground and in our workplaces. A team who values real diversity and inclusion, in a big brand with big ambitions.

What you’ll be doing…. 

As the Category Management Specialist within the Strategic Procurement team, you will be responsible for end-to-end procurement activities across your assigned categories.

In this role, you will collaborate with key stakeholders to develop and implement robust procurement strategies, negotiate contracts that deliver value for money, and manage risks while ensuring compliance with procurement policies and industry best practices.

You will translate agreed category strategies into a robust pipeline of procurement activities, covering both short-term execution and longer-term planning.

You Will

• Act as a trusted commercial advisor, building and maintaining strong relationships with internal stakeholders to drive process efficiencies, support business needs, and maximise value.
• Develop and refine category plans by analysing internal data, industry trends, and competitor insights to inform strategic sourcing decisions, mitigate risks, and deliver business value.
• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives, draft terms and conditions, and negotiate complex service arrangements to achieve optimal outcomes for the airline.
• Lead Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) meetings with strategic suppliers, ensuring a balanced approach between service quality and commercial objectives.
• Provide guidance to business owners on the interpretation and intent of strategic contracts, acting as the first point of escalation for supplier issues related to contract compliance.

What you need to be successful:   

• 5+ years’ experience in strategic sourcing, category management, and procurement experience, including at least 3 years in A  Category Management role (Ideally from a goods and services background)
• Proven experience developing and executing category strategies across the full procurement value chain (demand, source, fulfil, manage)
• Experience in leading RFx processes through to contract execution
• Demonstrated understanding of category strategy development and ability to articulate its alignment with overall business goals
• Experience in developing cost models and business cases for senior management approval
•  Strong commercial acumen with demonstrated negotiation and stakeholder management skills
• Excellent analytical and communication skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders

We’re committed to looking after you, with some of the best benefits and conditions in the industry – including (but not limited to): 

• Heavily discounted travel for you and your loved ones, plus $1,000 in travel credits each year
• Discounts on accommodation, travel insurance, car hire, and experiences
• Wellness support through our BetterMe program and Employee Assistance Program
• Dress for your day – wear what’s right for your work and your schedule
• Flexible working arrangements, including work-from-home options

When everyone is included, everyone wins 
 
We’re all individuals. And we love that. That’s why we encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, people with disability, those from diverse cultural backgrounds, our friends in the LGBTQI+ community, and anyone else who wants to join our family. 

Ready to apply? We’re ready to hear from you. Apply now