- Location – North Sydney
- Spend Portfolio $2 Billion
- Transformation & Change Management
- Exclusive with SKILLSOOP
- Fixed Package $240k – $280k
SKILLSOOP’s exclusive client is a leading industrial services business operating over 10 P&L’s across 4 key divisions that include mining and infrastructure. With revenues approaching $6 billion across the divisions, our client is driving a cost out transformation across the group structure. A requirement has been identified for an experienced senior procurement lead to manage construction categories nationally which include direct materials which includes electromechanical equipment, capex, materials
The Category Manager – Construction Materials is responsible for leading the procurement, category strategy, and supplier management for critical construction materials across the business. This role ensures the supply of quality products, delivers cost savings, manages risk, and develops long‑term supplier relationships that align with the company’s operational and sustainability objectives.
Category Strategy & Management
- Develop and implement category strategies for construction materials (e.g., cement, steel, aggregates, concrete products, lumber, fittings).
- Maintain deep understanding of market trends, commodity pricing, and supply dynamics within construction materials.
- Identify cost-reduction opportunities and drive category improvement and optimization.
Procurement & Contracting
- Lead the end-to-end procurement process for category materials, from market research and RFQs/RFTs to contract negotiations and implementation.
- Draft, review, and manage supply agreements, ensuring favorable pricing, quality standards, and service levels.
- Maintain strong relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders across departments (Construction, Engineering, Project Management, Finance).
Supplier Management
- Assess and select suppliers based on capabilities, financial stability, ESG alignment, and reliability.
- Maintain supplier performance metrics and lead regular review meetings.
- Drive supplier development and improvement initiatives.
Cost Optimization & Risk Management
- Monitor pricing trends and commodity fluctuations, making recommendations for hedging and forward contracting.
- Identify and mitigate category-related risks, including market, pricing, and supply disruption.
- Maintain category spend analytics and lead cost-saving, value-improvement, and waste-reduction projects.
Compliance & Sustainability
- Ensure procurement practices adhere to relevant regulations, company policies, and industry standards.
- Integrate sustainability and ESG requirements into supplier qualification and category strategies.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date category data and spend profiles.
Key Stakeholder Interactions
- Internal: Project Management, Construction Operations, Engineering, Cost Estimators, Finance, Group Supply Chain, Sustainability, Risk & Compliance.
- External: Suppliers, Contractors, Industry Associations, Market Analysts.
Key Skills & Experience
- Strong background in category management, procurement, or supply chain, with a focus on construction or engineering environments.
- Technical understanding of construction materials, their specifications, and market dynamics.
- Strong negotiation, contracting, and analytical abilities.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Skilled in cost modeling, spend analytics, and risk assessment.
- Experience with ERP and procurement platforms (e.g., SAP, Ariba, Coupa).
- Knowledge of sustainable procurement and ESG principles.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain, Construction Management, or related discipline.
- CIPS, CPSM, or other relevant certifications (desirable).
- 5–10 years’ experience in category management or procurement within the construction, mining, infrastructure, or heavy industries sector.