Category Management Specialist

About the Role

 
We are seeking an experienced Category Management Specialist to join a high-performing Category Management team based in Perth. Reporting to the Senior Manager, Category Management, this role will provide commercial, procurement, and category management support across the Mobile Equipment portfolio.
 
The successful candidate will partner closely with operational, technical, and commercial stakeholders to develop and execute category strategies, manage strategic sourcing activities, negotiate supplier agreements, and drive sustainable commercial outcomes. This role is ideal for a procurement professional with experience in the resources, mining, heavy industry, or mobile equipment sectors who is looking to further develop their category management expertise.
 
Key Responsibilities

Category Management & Strategic Sourcing

• Support the development and implementation of category strategies aligned with business objectives and operational requirements.
• Lead end-to-end sourcing activities, including market analysis, tendering, supplier evaluation, contract award, and implementation.
• Identify opportunities to optimise cost, improve service delivery, and reduce commercial risk within the Mobile Equipment category.

Contract Management

• Manage contracts throughout their lifecycle to ensure commercial, operational, and performance objectives are achieved.
• Monitor supplier compliance with contractual obligations and agreed performance metrics.
• Support contract renewals, variations, and ongoing contract governance activities.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to maximise value, innovation, and performance.
• Conduct supplier performance reviews and facilitate continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with suppliers to identify cost-saving and value-adding opportunities.

Commercial Negotiation

• Lead and support negotiations for high-value and strategically important contracts.
• Apply structured negotiation methodologies to achieve favourable commercial outcomes while maintaining strong supplier partnerships.
• Provide commercial advice and recommendations to internal stakeholders throughout procurement activities.

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Ensure procurement and contracting activities comply with internal governance frameworks, policies, and procedures.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate commercial, contractual, and operational risks.
• Maintain robust procurement documentation and audit-ready records.

Analysis & Reporting

• Analyse procurement, supplier, and category data to support decision-making and strategy development.
• Prepare commercial reports, recommendations, business cases, and performance dashboards.
• Track and report on savings, supplier performance, and category outcomes.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build trusted relationships with key internal stakeholders across operational, maintenance, engineering, and commercial teams.
• Act as a strategic procurement partner, ensuring procurement activities align with business priorities.
• Facilitate engagement across cross-functional teams to deliver procurement objectives and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills & Experience

 
To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate:

• 3-5 years' experience within procurement, category management, strategic sourcing, contract management, or supply chain roles.
• Experience within the mining, resources, heavy industry, manufacturing, or mobile equipment sectors is highly regarded.
• Proven ability to manage sourcing projects and supplier relationships in a complex business environment.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience negotiating supplier agreements and contracts.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to build credibility across all levels of the business.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Highly developed written communication skills, including the preparation of recommendations, commercial documentation, contract correspondence, and contract variations.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Resilience, adaptability, and the ability to thrive in a dynamic and changing environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Commerce, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Law, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Professional procurement qualifications (CIPS, MCIPS, ISM or equivalent) are advantageous but not essential.

Ideal Candidate Profile We are looking for a proactive procurement professional who combines strong commercial awareness with excellent relationship management skills. You will be comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment, managing competing priorities, and collaborating with diverse stakeholders to deliver measurable business value. Experience supporting mobile equipment categories, mining operations, or large-scale industrial environments will be highly advantageous.

Target Experience Level: Professional (3-5 years)
Location: Perth-based candidates preferred
Industry Background: Mining, resources, heavy industry, mobile equipment, or related procurement environments preferred.
 
 
DRD Group is a specialist recruitment provider renowned for recruiting quality project teams on major projects within the Energy, Resources, Defence, Renewables and Infrastructure sectors.

DRD Group embraces a diverse workforce culture and encourages applicants from all backgrounds to apply. All work assignments are subject to successful completion of a medical, drug and alcohol screen plus verification of all original certifications and qualifications.