IT Procurement Category Manager

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

24-Month Secondment Opportunity 

This is an opportunity to play a key role in shaping the University’s approach to strategic IT procurement. Working within Procurement and OneFinance, you will lead end-to-end sourcing and category management activities, helping to deliver value for money, manage commercial risk, and support the University’s broader strategic objectives through effective supplier and stakeholder partnerships.

• Lead complex sourcing activities from planning and market engagement through to supplier selection, negotiation, contract execution, and ongoing supplier management.
• Develop and implement category strategies for IT-related spend, informed by market insights, stakeholder needs, risk assessments, and business priorities.
• Build trusted relationships with stakeholders across the University, providing expert procurement advice and supporting informed commercial decision-making.
• Manage strategic supplier relationships, driving performance, innovation, value creation, and continuous improvement throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Analyse spend, market trends, and supplier performance to identify opportunities for cost optimisation, service improvements, and risk mitigation.
• Champion best-practice procurement processes, ensuring compliance with University policies, regulatory requirements, and ethical procurement standards.
• Embed environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations into procurement activities, supporting the University’s sustainability and strategic goals.

This is a full-time (37.5 hours per week), 24-month Fixed Term/Secondment position.

For more detailed information, please refer to the Position Description.

He kōrero mōu | About You

You are an experienced procurement professional who combines commercial acumen with strong relationship management skills. Comfortable working in complex stakeholder environments, you bring a strategic mindset, strong analytical capability, and a collaborative approach that enables you to influence outcomes and deliver value across a broad range of procurement activities.

• Proven experience in procurement, category management, supplier relationship management, and contract management, ideally within a large and diverse organisation.
• Demonstrated ability to lead end-to-end sourcing projects, including tendering, evaluation, negotiation, and contract implementation.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret spend data, assess market conditions, evaluate risks, and develop evidence-based procurement strategies.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the confidence to influence, advise, and build credibility at all levels of an organisation.
• Well-developed commercial and negotiation skills, with a track record of achieving positive outcomes and managing supplier performance.
• A customer-focused and collaborative approach, coupled with sound judgement, integrity, and a commitment to ethical procurement practices.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, adapt to changing business needs, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• A recognised tertiary qualification in procurement, supply chain management, business, or a related discipline.

Experience within technology, digital, or IT procurement environments, together with an understanding of sustainable procurement and ESG principles, would be highly advantageous.