Category Manager

Primary DetailsTime Type: Full time

Worker Type: Employee

Category Manager

• Location: Sydney
• Type: Permanent, full time
• Hybrid role, Happy to talk flexible working

The opportunity

As a Category Manager, you will play a critical role in developing and executing procurement strategies that deliver value for money and manage risk across multiple services categories. Reporting to the Senior Manager Indirect Procurement, you will act as a trusted commercial business partner and contribute to the growth of procurement capability at QBE.

This role also offers the opportunity to be involved in the shaping of the strategy for a new procurement category supporting one of our customer-facing functions that will involve defining optimal services and supply models and establishing preferred supplier panels to support the evolving needs of the business. You will work cross-functionally with key stakeholders to develop procurement solutions that drive efficiency, cost savings, and innovation in procurement practices.

Your new role

In this role, you will be responsible for the end-to-end procurement process across multiple categories.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and implementing category strategies that align with business needs and risk considerations.
• Leveraging market analysis and strategic sourcing to enhance procurement outcomes.
• Analysing spend data to identify cost-saving opportunities and optimize supplier relationships.
• Establishing and managing preferred supplier panels, ensuring the best supply models are in place.
• Negotiating contracts to secure value-driven outcomes while mitigating risks.
• Implementing supplier relationship management and performance monitoring to maintain high service levels and foster innovation.
• Contributing to effective risk management across procurement activities.
• Producing insightful reports to keep stakeholders informed on category performance and compliance.

About you

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Procurement Expertise: A demonstrated understanding of and experience with the procurement lifecycle concepts including category management, sourcing, purchasing, contract management, supplier relationship management, and spend analysis.
• Procurement Category Management Expertise: Strong experience in procurement and category management, preferably within the insurance industry, with an evidenced ability to establish and manage preferred supplier panels to drive efficiencies.
• Strategic Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to think critically and strategically in identifying and developing strategic procurement solutions that deliver business value.
• Stakeholder Management: Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across teams.
• Commercial and Risk Mindset: Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to assess market drivers, make data-informed decisions and appropriately assess and mitigate risks across the procurement lifecycle.
• Resilience and Reliability: Ability to thrive in complex environments.

About QBE

We can never really predict what’s around the corner, but at QBE we’re asking the right questions to enable a more resilient future – helping those around us build strength and embrace change to their advantage. We’re an international insurer that’s building momentum towards realising our vision of becoming the most consistent and innovative risk partner.

And our people will be at the centre of our success. We’re proud to work together, and encourage each other enable resilience for our customers, our environment, our economies and our communities. With more than more than 13,000 people working across 27 countries, we’re big enough to make a real impact, but small enough to provide a friendly workplace, where people are down-to-earth, passionate and kind.

We believe this is our moment – what if it was yours too? Your career at QBE — let’s make it happen!

Benefits

We offer a range of benefits to help provide holistic support for your work life, whatever your circumstances. As a QBE employee you will have access to and benefit from:

• ‘Hybrid Working’ – a mix of working from home and in the office to enhance your work/life balance
• Our ‘Thriving at our Best’ wellbeing program, including free holistic wellbeing coaching, nutritional, confidential counselling, financial and legal advice
• 18 weeks’ gender-equal flexible leave for all new parents, including paid super
• The ability to maximise retirement savings through voluntary super contributions and company matching
• Income protection insurance & reimbursed Death and Total Permanent Disability insurance premiums
• Additional leave and support through QBE’s Family Domestic Violence First Responder Network
• Discounts on insurance products, car hire, hotels, goods and services including benefits through our various sports and arts sponsorship partners
   

Rewards & Recognition

We value our employee’s experience with us and are proud to have been recognised for the following awards:

• 2021 LinkedIn Top Employer & HRD Employer of Choice
• 2020 Best Workplace Diversity & Inclusion and Excellence Award for Best Health & Wellbeing at the Australian HR Awards
• Platinum employer on the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) – the definitive national benchmark on LGBTQI+ workplace inclusion
• Ranked 3rd place in the AAGE Top Graduate Employers 2024 for medium sized program as voted by graduates
• Top 20 Workplaces for Dads in 2019 and 2020 (HBF Direct Advice for Dads)
• Family First accredited employer since 2021

Apply now

APPLY NOW and let’s make it happen! 

Click APPLY to submit your application. Successful applicants will need to complete work rights, police and credit checks through our online provider as a condition of employment.

QBE recognise the value of diverse perspectives and experience. We are committed to an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected for who they are. If we can provide support with access requirements, alternative work arrangements or you would like to connect with one of our networks please contact us at [email protected]

Skills:

Commercial Acumen, Communication, Cost Management, Critical Thinking, Intentional collaboration, Inventory Management, Managing performance, Negotiation, Problem Solving, Process Improvements, Stakeholder Management, Strategic Sourcing, Supplier Management, Supply Chain Management (SCM), Supply Chain Management SoftwareApplication Close Date: 23/02/2025 11:59 PM

How to Apply:

To submit your application, click "Apply" and follow the step by step process.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

QBE is an equal opportunity employer and is required to comply with equal employment opportunity legislation in each jurisdiction it operates.