- Manage the end-to-end procurement lifecycle, including large-scale and enterprise-wide projects that influence the entire Woolworths Group.
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Permanent opportunity | Bella Vista location
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Join a strong team that supports growth and career development
We are Woolworths Group
We are Woolworths Group. 200,000+ bright minds, passionate hearts and unique perspectives connected by a shared Purpose – ‘to create better experiences together for a better tomorrow.’ It’s that Purpose that fuels our ambition to explore new ideas, make brave commitments and innovate better ways to meet the food and everyday needs of more than 24 million customers every week.
If you’re excited to turn today’s blue sky thinking into a better tomorrow for future generations, you’ll find yourself supported and enriched in a dynamic, inclusive and empowering workplace that reflects the diverse communities we serve. With a culture of genuine care, a flexible approach to work and opportunities across the group to grow your career and make a meaningful impact, the possibilities for what we can achieve together are endless.
The Opportunity
The Senior Category Manager - Software is responsible for executing the Woolworths Procurement Strategy, ensuring delivery of internal customer needs, and driving the annual sourcing plans to deliver maximum value and reduced risk to our business across spend on Goods Not For Resale (GNFR) Software and Enabling Technologies.
This role manages a significant, multi-million dollar spend portfolio. Operating in a true Agile operating model, the role leads end-to-end category management, strategic sourcing, and complex commercial negotiations, utilizing the Woolworths’ Category Management Framework to deliver outcomes within the business's window of opportunity.
What you’ll do
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The Senior Category Manager will build strong, collaborative relationships with key technology vendors and internal business stakeholders to promote the value of the Procurement function. This position reports directly to the Portfolio Manager – Software.
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Category Strategy: Develop and execute comprehensive sourcing strategies for Software and Enabling Technologies, incorporating TCO, lifecycle management, and market intelligence.
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Complex Negotiations: Lead high-value, multi-million dollar enterprise software deals and complex RFx processes in an agile, fast-paced environment.
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Commercial & Legal Alignment: Apply contract law principles to draft robust terms, mitigating third-party risks while ensuring clear commercial alignment.
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Stakeholder Engagement: Act as a trusted commercial advisor to IT, Finance, and Brand leadership, promoting the strategic value of the Procurement function.
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Vendor Governance: Manage key technology vendor relationships and enforce compliance with contractual SLAs and KPIs to mitigate operational risk.
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Value Creation: Deliver sustainable EBITDA benefits and working capital improvements, utilising a structured framework to track and report financial outcomes.
What you’ll bring
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Procurement Expertise: 10+ years of commercial experience within a large, complex, matrixed organization, backed by a relevant tertiary qualification or professional accreditation (e.g., MCIPS).
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Software Domain Knowledge: Deep, hands-on understanding of software category management, including complex SaaS agreements, IT services, and retail-enabling technologies.
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Commercial Negotiation: Proven track record of leading structured negotiations (e.g., GAP or Scotworks) for major, multi-million dollar strategic deals to maximise value.
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Financial & Portfolio Management: Demonstrated success in managing large-scale spend portfolios across diverse geographical locations.
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Stakeholder Influence & EQ: Exceptional communication skills and high emotional intelligence, with a proven ability to collaborate with and influence senior leadership.
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Tech & AI Literacy: High proficiency in modern collaboration tools (Google Suite, Miro) alongside a practical understanding of utilising AI tools (such as Generative AI and LLMs) to drive procurement efficiency.
What you’ll experience
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Hybrid Flexibility: Blend in-office engagement with work-from-home opportunities for a balanced work week.
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A global business with endless career possibilities around every corner and across every discipline – with valuable exposure to a vast and exciting business network.
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Team discounts across our range of Woolworths Group brands you know and love and a robust rewards program that celebrates and incentivises purpose-driven work.
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12 weeks paid parental leave for primary caregivers plus paid superannuation for up to 12 months while the Team Member is on parental leave - eligible from the first day of employment
Everyone belongs at Woolworths Group
As one of the largest employers in Australia and New Zealand, we aim to create a truly inclusive workplace where everyone feels that they belong, can be their best selves, and reach their full potential.
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are key to realising our purpose of better together for a better tomorrow. We recognise the value our team’s diversity brings to our business, customers, and communities and that teams with diverse experiences and backgrounds enrich our group and are better able to innovate and solve problems.
Woolworths Group is an inclusive, team-first company and we value all skills and experiences. If you meet some, but not all of the requirements, we encourage you to submit your application.
