JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

Water Corporation in Leederville is hiring a Category Management Specialist for a full-time, three‑month fixed term role with the Return to Work program and flexible options, at $135,693 plus super. You will shape sourcing strategies across high‑value procurement categories, mentor team members, and manage post‑award contracts and supplier performance while coordinating with Legal. The ideal candidate has strong strategic sourcing and category management experience, solid market research and negotiation skills, a relevant degree, knowledge of WA Public Sector Procurement, and ideally a CIPS qualification; priority is given to applicants with a career break of one year or more. Apply with a tailored resume and cover letter highlighting your return‑to‑work journey and proven negotiations; closing date 15 October 2025; pre‑employment checks apply.

Category Management Specialist

• Be supported as you return to work after an extended break with specialist coaching and mentoring.
• A Full-time, three months fixed term position with true flexibility.
• $135,693 plus super.

Returning to work after a career break? Whether you're a parent, carer, or simply ready to rejoin the workforce, Water Corporation’s Return to Work program offers tailored support to help you relaunch your career. Enjoy flexible options to balance family needs while re-establishing yourself professionally. This role is hired as part of the program, with priority given to those who've had a career break of one year or more.

About the opportunity

We have a Full-time opportunity available in our Leederville office for a Category Management Specialist. As a Category Management Specialist, you will provide expert advice and services across high-value, complex, and strategic procurement categories, ensuring Water Corporation consistently maximises commercial, risk, and safety outcomes from its contracts.

Who are we?

When you join Water Corporation, you play an important role for the people of WA. Our services are essential for life - everyday, millions of Western Australians rely on us to deliver and manage water across our state.

If you’re driven to make a meaningful contribution, you’ve come to the right place.

Real benefits that matter 

• Two well-being days each year to do whatever you need to do to feel good 
• Access to long service leave pro rata after 3 years of service 
• Generous co-contribution superannuation scheme, which offers up to 16%. This includes an 12% standard employer contribution, plus an additional 2% employer co-contribution that matches your own 2% contribution. 
• Purchase additional leave of up to 12 weeks or work 4 years at a reduced salary and take the fifth year off as paid leave 
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural and ceremonial leave of up to 5 days so you can maintain your cultural connection and wellbeing.     

Discover more benefits we offer to support the unique and individual ways our employees live. 

What the role will involve

• Conducting research, developing commercial prototypes, analysis of ‘price’ and ‘demand’ levers, and exploiting supply market intelligence to develop commercially advantageous sourcing strategies for approval.
• Developing sourcing strategies through consultation with Contract Owners, key stakeholders, and Team Lead – Category Management to ensure alignment with corporation goals and objectives.
• Maintaining a sound understanding of business process value chains and operational methodologies (within assigned categories) to ensure a credible and commercially translatable knowledge of technical requirements.
• Providing coaching and mentoring in line with category management processes within the team
• Liaising with Legal for negotiation of legal departures
• Acting as the Corporations representative for all notices, variations, amendments, and disputes to ensure formal communications are managed in accordance with contract terms and conditions so that Water Corporations interests are protected.

Your skills and experience

A career gap should not be a barrier to achieve your professional aspirations. Our Return-to-Work program is designed to identify and acknowledge your previous skills and experiences, and help you build new ones. We would love if you have following expertise to optimise our team performance.

• Strong knowledge and hands-on experience in strategic sourcing and category management
• Proven ability to conduct market research, develop commercial strategies, manage complex procurements, and lead high-value negotiations
• Experience preparing sourcing strategies, procurement plans, award recommendations, and board submissions
• Solid background in post-award contract and supplier performance management for complex commercial arrangements
• Experience working in large, multi-disciplinary or geographically dispersed organisations (e.g., engineering, mining, utilities)
• A degree in Commerce, Supply Chain, Law, Engineering or a related field
• Knowledge of WA Public Sector Procurement processes
• CIPS qualification (or working towards it) is highly regarded

Sound like a match? Apply today

If you are ready to return to work and actively looking for your next challenge, this could be it. Submit your application with a cover letter and we will get in touch with you.

Applications close 15 October 2025 

As part of the recruitment process you will be required to complete Pre-Employment screening which may include a medical, qualification check police clearance and Australian working rights check.  

We reserve the right to withdraw this ad prior to the closing date. 

Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace: 

Diversity and inclusion are more than words. They guide us on building a thriving workforce that reflects the diversity of our customers and our community.

We encourage applications from every background, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, women, youth, LGBTQIA+ folks and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

We are committed to ensuring an accessible and inclusive work environment to enable people with disability to participate fully in all aspects of employment.

Applicants with disability who require adjustments, or alternative methods of communication in the recruitment process, can contact a Recruitment Officer at [email protected] or 9420 2000.

To read our diversity and inclusion statement, please visit our website