Group Category Manager – Procurement (Indirect Categories: Plant & Equipment, Fleet & Logistics)

We are excited to introduce a rewarding opportunity for an experienced and strategic Group Category Manager to join Downer’s Group Procurement & Property team.

This is a highly visible and influential role suited to a commercially astute professional who thrives in a complex, fast-paced environment and is passionate about delivering strategic value through procurement. Working within a geographically dispersed team, you will play a key role in shaping and delivering category strategies that support business outcomes across indirect spend.

As a trusted adviser to the business, you will lead the development and execution of informed, commercially grounded category strategies across Plant & Equipment, Fleet and Logistics, drawing on market dynamics, supplier insight, stakeholder priorities and operational context to deliver sustainable value.

You will operate within a hybrid procurement model, partnering closely with business units and group functions to drive alignment, efficiency, and performance.

This position offers a flexible hybrid working model (3 days in the office) and is backed by an excellent team culture that is supportive, collaborative, and outcomes focused.

About the Role

In this role you will:

• Lead the development and execution of forward-thinking category strategies aligned to business and group objectives
• Drive strategic sourcing initiatives, delivering cost efficiencies, supplier performance, and risk mitigation
• Apply commercial judgement and available insights to shape decisions, challenge assumptions and identify value creation opportunities
• Build and maintain strong, strategic supplier relationships that drive innovation and long-term outcomes
• Partner with key stakeholders to ensure alignment of procurement strategies across business units
• Influence senior leaders and cross-functional teams to embed best practice procurement approaches
• Deliver sustainable value creation through commercial optimisation and continuous improvement
Implement and monitor performance frameworks and KPIs to track outcomes and benefits realisation

This role is critical in ensuring procurement delivers strategic impact while supporting operational success across the business.

What Makes This Role Unique

• Autonomy & Ownership – Trusted to lead, influence, and deliver outcomes
• Strong team culture – Supportive, collaborative, and high-performing procurement function
• Exposure to a broader procurement network with strong internal capability
• Geographically dispersed team offering diverse stakeholder engagement
Opportunity to operate in the indirect “buy-to-use” procurement space, supporting core business operations

Our Ideal Candidate

You are a strategic and hands-on procurement professional who is confident working autonomously, building networks, and getting things done in a complex environment.

You bring strong commercial acumen and the ability to influence, engage, and deliver outcomes across multiple stakeholders.

What You Will Bring

• Tertiary Qualified in a Business/Commercial related degree
• Extensive experience in end-to-end procurement category management
• Experience across indirect categories, ideally Plant & Equipment, Fleet and Logistics
• Experience within a large, complex organisation
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing capability
• Proven ability to develop and execute category strategies
• Advanced negotiation and supplier management skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability, with the commercial judgement to interpret insights, assess trade-offs and make sound recommendations
• Ability to drive change and work cross-functionally

Desirable:

• MCIPS preferred

• Preferrable, Post Graduate studies Procurement, Logistics &/or Supply Chain.

Benefits of Working with Downer

• Work with an ASX listed company, working with market leaders.
• Grow your career with us, we are passionate about giving our people opportunities to grow through personal and professional development and continuous learning.
• Be part of a team that cares, we foster a work environment built on support that is flexible around our employee’s wellbeing needs:
  • Flexible work arrangements
    • Parental leave
    • Employee Assistance Program
    • Programs promoting diversity and inclusion
A range of Corporate Benefits, including Discounted services (car hires, hotels, insurance, retail stores, gyms)

Why Downer?

As a trusted name in infrastructure, transport, facilities management, and construction, Downer is committed to delivering projects that create a lasting, positive legacy. We’re committed to building a team that reflects the diverse communities we serve, and we welcome people of all ages, genders, sexual orientations, cultures, abilities, and lived experiences. We especially encourage applications from those whose voices have traditionally been underrepresented in our industry, including women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Māori and Pasifika Peoples, veterans, people with disability, and neurodivergent individuals. Even if your experience doesn’t align perfectly with this role, we’d still like to hear from you. If it feels like the right fit, apply - potential counts, and so do you.

As a WORK180 Endorsed Employer, we support flexibility that works for your life, inclusive leadership that values your voice, and equitable access to opportunity so you can do your best work and bring your whole self to it.