This is not your typical Category Manager role. As our Category Manager Supply Chain, you'll have the unique opportunity to help shape and establish the future of category management and supply chain at Unitywater. Joining us at a pivotal time, you'll lead strategic sourcing, category and supply chain initiatives that strengthen resilience, reduce risk and unlock long-term value across the organisation.
Working alongside a high-performing and collaborative team, you'll bring your expertise, innovation and commercial acumen to build capability, influence key decisions and deliver meaningful outcomes that support essential services for our growing communities.
This is a rare 2-year max-term opportunity where you'll have the autonomy to create, improve and leave a lasting impact.
In this role, you'll:
- Shape and deliver category management strategies that drive value, improve supplier performance and support Unitywater's long-term business objectives.
- Lead complex sourcing and commercial initiatives, balancing cost, risk, supply continuity and business outcomes across critical categories.
- Strengthen supply chain resilience, identifying and proactively addressing supply, security and delivery risks across the organisation.
- Partner with leaders, stakeholders and suppliers to influence decisions, foster innovation and create sustainable commercial outcomes.
- Help build the future of category management at Unitywater, contributing to a significant program of change and continuous improvement.
Our One Unitywater behaviours - Create the Future, Care Together, and Own It – define how we work together at Unitywater. To contribute to this, you will demonstrate the following skills and qualities for the role:
Must have
- Demonstrated experience leading complex category management, strategic sourcing, procurement or supply chain initiatives that deliver measurable business value.
- Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to balance cost, risk, supplier performance and operational outcomes.
- Experience developing and delivering category strategies, procurement plans or sourcing programs within a complex environment.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the ability to build credibility and drive outcomes across all levels of an organisation.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills, with experience leveraging spend, market and supplier data to identify opportunities and mitigate risks.
- A proactive and self-driven approach, with the ability to identify opportunities, take ownership and deliver outcomes in a changing environment.
- Relevant qualifications in Business, Commerce, Law, Procurement, Supply Chain or a related discipline, or equivalent demonstrated experience, together with a current C Class Driver's Licence.
- Experience within utilities, infrastructure, construction, government or other asset-intensive industries.
- Experience establishing or maturing category management, supply chain or procurement functions and frameworks.
- Experience managing critical supply chain, continuity of supply or Security of Critical Infrastructure (SOCI) related risks.
- CIPS accreditation (Level 6 Professional Diploma or above) or similar procurement qualifications.
- Experience presenting recommendations and influencing decisions at Executive or Board level.
Working at Unitywater:
- Flexibility: We value flexibility and support work-life balance with hybrid and flexible working, purchased annual leave and access to floating public holidays. Tell us what this looks like for you!
- Wellbeing: We offer several initiatives to support your wellbeing, such as discounted private health insurance, salary packaging, employee assistance program, and access to retailer discounts and benefits.
- Learning and Development: We offer a range of opportunities to feed your curiosity such as: Walk on Country experience, study assistance, and access to a dedicated learning program and professional memberships.
- Diversity: We celebrate, value and include people of all backgrounds, gender and expressions, sexualities, cultures, bodies and abilities. We invite you to join our dedicated employee networks focused on First Nations Reconciliation, LGBTQIA+, CALD, Gender, Life Stage, Disability and Accessibility.
Unitywater operates in one of Australia’s most exceptional environments in terms of natural beauty, geographical and demographic breadth. We operate on Kabi Kabi, Jinibara and Turrbal Country, proudly providing safe and reliable water to customers in Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast and Noosa. We are a water utility serving one of the fastest growing regions in the country.
We think a pretty good job starts here.
How to apply:
Apply online following the links, and make sure to upload your up-to-date CV.
We strive to have a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community we serve and encourage all suitable applicants to apply for this role. Please feel free to share your pronouns and any reasonable adjustments you may need during the interview process.
If you’re successful we will need you to undergo a few checks…. We know they might not be the fun part, but you will need to confirm your right to work in Australia and complete relevant pre-employment checks, including verification of criminal history, drivers licence and driving history, alcohol and other drug screening.
Applications close: Midnight Thursday 15th October 2026
For further information please contact the Talent Acquisition team at careers@unitywater.com
If you would like to speak to a team member about our commitment to diversity and inclusion, please contact our Inclusion Specialist emma.guest@unitywater.com
Unitywater respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waterways in which we live, work and operate, the Kabi Kabi, Jinibara and Turrbal peoples. We honour their enduring connection to these places and their deep cultural, spiritual and environmental knowledge and stewardship over the waterways that sustain us all. We pay our deepest respects to Elders past and present, who hold the wisdom, traditions and stories of their people.