Procurement Category Manager

Position Details 

• Full-Time | Fixed term (15 months)

• HEO9 - $133,860 + 17% Super

• Location: Bedford Park / Kaurna Country

• View Position Description 

 About the Role 

The Procurement Category Manager at Flinders University is responsible for the procurement and contracting of specified major commodity groups across the University, or for specific high-risk procurement projects. 

The role involves developing an in-depth understanding of the University stakeholder requirements including extensive consultation with user groups and leading cross functional teams to deliver exceptional procurement outcomes. This may include being responsible for the creation or review of some or all documentation related to the procurement process and ensuring that appropriate changes and updates are made to Flinders University systems as well as procedures and guidelines.

Working in this impactful role will involve:

• Developing procurement strategies to meet the commercial imperative of the University as well as stakeholder requirements, incorporating overall market approach, proposed contract type, scope and length.

• Undertaking procurement processes to achieve strategic outcomes, including preparing Acquisition Plans, undertaking market approaches, evaluation and recommendations, and all Governance reporting.

• Establishing and leading cross functional teams of stakeholders and/or functional experts as appropriate to undertake processes, including evaluations.  Ensuring stakeholders are appropriately engaged and managed.

• Ensuring project management protocols are maintained, and that appropriate reporting occurs with regards to progress, risks and issues.

Please note, due to the nature of the role, you will be required to work from the Bedford Park campus.

About You 

We are looking for a skilled and personable procurement professional with:

• Experience in the development of procurement documentation including approvals documentation and market approach documentation.

• Well developed commercial sense, including negotiation of contracts and the drafting of contracts

• High level oral, written and interpersonal communication skills including being an effective listener and negotiator, being able to ask clear questions about issues and requirements, and experience in writing quality reports and recommendations for complex and sensitive issues.

• Proficiency in the identification, development and implementation of procurement strategies for a range of category groups or specific projects

• Demonstrated experience of managing a complex end to end procurement process from identification of customer needs through to contract execution and contract handover.

About Finance and Procurement Services 

Finance and Procurement Services assist the University to achieve its goals by providing quality leadership, information, and financial services.

The Finance and Procurement Services team undertakes monthly financial management reporting and forecasting, annual budgets and monitoring performance against these budgets, all regulatory financial reporting, monthly compliance, procurement contracting and functional areas of paying suppliers, receipting revenue and annual financial statements.  While this role is based at Bedford Park, we have team members located across all of Flinders sites.

Life at Flinders

We're transforming and investing in people and facilities to create contemporary, stimulating, and satisfying learning and work environments that reflect our core values of excellence, innovation, courage, and integrity. Flinders is refocusing its strategic priorities with the aim of elevating its performance to be a top ten Australian university, and amongst the top 1% in the world.

Reaching beyond the limits of buildings, borders, and backgrounds, ours is an inclusive culture that believes absolutely in equality and opportunity for all. We don't just accommodate differences; we embrace and celebrate them.

So, why work at Flinders?

• 17% Superannuation + salary packaging options  

• Our commitment to wellbeing through our Thriving@Flinders initiative 

• Wide range of professional development activities and services, including exclusive staff study offers   

• We embrace diversity and promote equity and inclusion for all students and staff, as shown through our three SAGE Cygnet Awards.  

• Vibrant campus life and amenities including on campus health care services, gym and childcare centre (Bedford Park, South Australia).  

Our Commitment to Reconciliation and Indigenous Employment 

Flinders University is proud to be an organisation that is committed to our Reconciliation Action Plan and Indigenous Workforce Strategy. Our vision is to be a preferred employer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

We are committed to progressing Indigenous advancement in education, research, employment, and wellbeing, and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for all Flinders vacancies. 

• Please see here for our Reconciliation Action Plan  

• Please see here for our Indigenous Workforce Strategy 

Prescribed Conditions for Employment

A current Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check which is satisfactory to the University will be required by Flinders University before the successful applicant can commence in this position. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration. Each case will be assessed on its individual merits and relevance to the inherent requirements of the role. 

How to Apply and Information 

• In addition to uploading your CV, please submit a separate Suitability Statement of no more than 3 pages, addressing the key position capabilities of the Position Description.

• For more information regarding this position, please contact Deborah Ashdown

Certification

Applications to be submitted before 10.00pm:

16 Aug 2026

At Flinders we embrace and celebrate diversity and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people of all ages, ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities.

Flinders. Fearless.