Job Description

• Employment Type: Full-time
• Duration: Fixed-term contract until 29 November 2028
• Remuneration: (Level 9) $153,933 – $163,338 + 17% superannuation + leave loading
• Location: UNSW Kensington Campus

About UNSW:

UNSW isn’t like other places you’ve worked. Yes, we’re a large organisation with a diverse and talented community, a community doing extraordinary things. Together, we are driven to be thoughtful, practical, and purposeful in all we do. Taking this combined approach is what makes our work matter. If you want a career where you can thrive, be challenged and do meaningful work, you’re in the right place.

Why Your Role Matters:

The Senior Category Manager, Technology plays a key role in delivering strategic procurement outcomes across UNSW, developing and executing sourcing strategies aligned with the University's strategic priorities.

Working across the IT portfolio, you will lead complex strategic sourcing initiatives, manage commercial negotiations and provide expert procurement advice to senior stakeholders. You will work collaboratively with faculties and divisions to understand business needs, optimise commercial value and proactively manage procurement and supply risks.

Reporting to the Procurement Manager, this position has no direct reports but provides leadership, coaching and mentoring to category teams across portfolios, supporting the successful delivery of complex procurement initiatives.

Responsibilities Summary:

• Lead strategic technology sourcing projects aligned with the UNSW Strategy, coordinating cross-functional teams and engaging executive-level stakeholders.
• Develop and implement category plans, sourcing strategies and procurement roadmaps in collaboration with the Procurement Manager.
• Lead market engagement and sourcing events to deliver competitive procurement outcomes.
• Negotiate and manage complex commercial contracts, ensuring value optimisation, risk mitigation and compliance.
• Provide expert commercial advice on sourcing strategies, negotiation approaches, supplier performance and procurement risks.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders, suppliers and industry bodies.
• Mentor and coach category team members, supporting problem solving and stakeholder relationship management.
• Maintain accurate procurement data, contract records and reporting to track benefits, pipeline activity and contractual obligations.

For more information regarding the responsibilities for this role, please refer to the Position Description at JOBS@UNSW.

Skills and Experience Summary:

• Relevant tertiary qualification with extensive relevant experience, or equivalent competency gained through education, training or experience. Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (MCIPS) accreditation is desirable.
• Experience managing major IT procurement projects, including coordinating procurement activities across multiple technology categories.
• Demonstrated end-to-end technology procurement experience across a broad range of categories including systems integration, telecommunications, Saas, networking, and IT infrastructure, with experience managing procurement involving multinational technology vendors.
• Extensive procurement experience, including the application of leading-edge technologies, innovative solutions and emerging technology trends.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing procurement strategies that deliver cost savings, process improvements and enhanced performance.
• Proven expertise in negotiating and managing complex commercial agreements, with a strong focus on risk mitigation and value optimisation.
• Outstanding interpersonal, negotiation, influencing and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated strategic planning capability, including developing and implementing effective operational plans.
• Demonstrated ability to adopt innovative procurement methods, challenge existing processes and deliver commercially astute outcomes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, customer service orientation and problem-solving capability.

Benefits and Culture: People are at the core of everything we do. We recognise it is the contributions of our staff who make UNSW one of the best universities in Australia and the world. Our benefits include:

How to Apply: Submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the position in relation to the selection criteria (listed under the ‘skills & experience’ section above) via the application portal before 11:30pm on the 8th of November.

A copy of the Position Description can be found on JOBS@UNSW.

Get in Touch: For queries regarding the recruitment process, contact Lucy Gerondis, Talent Acquisition Partner, UNSW: l.gerondis@unsw.edu.au

Applications sent via email will not be accepted, please apply via the application portal.

Pre-Employment Checks: As part of our recruitment process candidates may be required to undergo pre-employment screening, which may include reference checks, qualification verification, right-to-work verification, and criminal history screening where relevant to the role.

UNSW is committed to evolving a culture that embraces equity and supports a diverse and inclusive community where everyone can participate fairly, in a safe and respectful environment. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and encourage applications from people of diverse gender, sexual orientation, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, people with disability and those with caring and family responsibilities. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.