Senior Sourcing Specialist

This role offers you the chance to work on projects of medium value and complexity, collaborating with knowledgeable colleagues and stakeholders who are committed to achieving outstanding results. You will be empowered to exercise your professional judgement, contribute to continuous improvement, and play a pivotal part in shaping procurement strategies that deliver exceptional value.

What you'll do:

As a Procurement Category Specialist, you will immerse yourself in a dynamic environment where your day-to-day responsibilities revolve around delivering best-in-class procurement solutions. You will be entrusted with overseeing multiple sourcing projects simultaneously—each requiring careful planning, stakeholder collaboration, rigorous documentation, and meticulous execution. Your ability to build strong relationships will be essential as you engage with internal teams and external suppliers alike, ensuring that every contract reflects agreed-upon terms while supporting broader organisational objectives. By championing continuous improvement initiatives within procurement services, you will help elevate standards across strategic sourcing activities. Your commitment to fostering a safe workplace culture will further reinforce your integral role within the team. Success in this position hinges on your capacity for clear communication, thoughtful negotiation, analytical thinking, and unwavering dedication to achieving positive outcomes for all stakeholders.

• Develop and implement strategic sourcing strategies that are underpinned by robust risk management practices and compliance with relevant policies, procedures, and safety requirements.
• Project manage multiple sourcing events of medium value and complexity by documenting requirements, creating market engagement documents, issuing RFx processes, managing responses, coordinating evaluations, developing recommendations, and preparing documentation at each stage.
• Provide valuable input into the procurement pipeline by ensuring alignment with governance models and reporting requirements while maintaining transparency throughout the process.
• Contribute actively to relationship management initiatives by working closely with customers to influence sourcing strategies and support the delivery of comprehensive sourcing plans.
• Draft contracts that accurately reflect all negotiated outcomes and incorporate key performance indicators to ensure clarity and accountability for all parties involved.
• Foster collaborative relationships with key stakeholder groups through effective communication, empathy, and mutual understanding to achieve shared objectives.
• Utilise advanced negotiation and influencing techniques to secure maximum benefit and value for money for the organisation across diverse supplier environments.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives aimed at accelerating the maturity of procurement services in strategic sourcing and category management areas.
• Undertake ad-hoc projects or additional activities as required by your manager, demonstrating flexibility and responsiveness to evolving business needs.
• Promote a safe working environment by adhering to work health and safety policies, using safe work practices including PPE where necessary, and encouraging others to do the same.

What you bring:

To excel as a Procurement Category Specialist, you will bring substantial hands-on experience gained from working within sophisticated procurement functions—ideally in large-scale organisations where complexity is commonplace. Your background should include managing end-to-end sourcing projects involving multiple stakeholders while upholding compliance standards. You possess excellent interpersonal skills that foster trust-based relationships built on empathy, respectfulness, and open communication. Your analytical acumen enables you to interpret data meaningfully so that recommendations are always evidence-based. In addition to technical proficiency in contract drafting or negotiation tactics, your approach is defined by reliability, adaptability, emotional intelligence, teamwork orientation, attention to detail—and above all—a genuine passion for supporting collective success through effective procurement practices.

• Demonstrated experience in a similar procurement role within a large or complex organisation where you have developed an in-depth understanding of industry-recognised procurement processes and specialised sourcing methodologies.
• Extensive project management experience enabling you to oversee multiple concurrent sourcing events from inception through completion while maintaining high standards of quality control.
• Proven ability to liaise effectively with stakeholders at all levels—providing sound advice while navigating process requirements with sensitivity and professionalism.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and listening communication skills that allow you to convey complex information clearly across diverse audiences.
• Highly developed problem-solving abilities complemented by innovative thinking skills that enable you to exercise good judgement when addressing challenges or seizing new opportunities.
• A strategic mindset with the capacity to quickly analyse key concepts or issues before translating strategy into practical applications or actionable solutions.
• Advanced data analysis skills allowing you to report on both quantitative and qualitative findings in ways that inform decision-making processes.
• Expertise as a negotiator and influencer capable of deploying these skills at high levels across complex internal structures as well as supplier environments.
• Membership of an appropriate professional procurement body such as CIPS or ISM is desirable but not essential; equivalent combinations of training or experience are also valued.

What sets this company apart:

This institution stands out as one of Australia’s most esteemed educational environments—renowned for its commitment to excellence not only in teaching but also in operational practices such as procurement. Here you will find an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought alongside collaboration at every level. The organisation invests heavily in staff development through tailored training programmes designed to enhance both technical capabilities and soft skills. Flexible working opportunities are available so you can balance professional ambitions with personal commitments. Employees enjoy access to state-of-the-art facilities set within beautiful surroundings—creating an inspiring backdrop for daily work life. Above all else, this is a place where your contributions are recognised; where supportive leadership encourages growth; where knowledge-sharing is celebrated; and where every individual is empowered to make a difference within their field. If you seek an environment defined by collegiality, generosity of spirit, ethical practice—and genuine care for people—this is the ideal setting for your next career move.

What's next:

If you are ready to take the next step in your procurement career within an environment that values collaboration, growth, and meaningful impact—this is your moment!

Apply today by clicking on the link provided—you could soon be making a real difference as part of this outstanding team.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are encouraged to apply.
To apply, please click "Apply" or contact Mason Walker on 02 8289 3187 or mason.walker@robertwalters.com.au for a confidential discussion.