Principal Category Management

About the role

This role provides senior category management and commercial leadership for procurement activities supporting the Aboriginal Communities Water Services (ACWS) program. Reporting to the Manager – Strategic Procurement, you will lead strategic sourcing, procurement planning and supplier engagement for high‑value and complex categories supporting capital works, infrastructure upgrades and operational services delivered in remote and logistically challenging environments. You will partner closely with ACWS leadership to align procurement strategies with delivery priorities and long-term service outcomes.

The role has been established in response to sustained growth in ACWS capital delivery, heightened supply chain risk, and the need for stronger commercial leadership and forward procurement planning. You will work closely with program leads, project managers, Operations, Finance and Legal to improve delivery certainty, manage risk and optimise value for money, including responsibility for the integration of ACWS supply chains with existing operational procurement and logistics arrangements to improve coordination, resilience and whole-of-life outcomes.

Who are we?

When you join Water Corporation, you play an important role for the people of WA. Our services are essential for life - everyday, millions of Western Australians rely on us to deliver and manage water across our state. If you’re driven to make a meaningful contribution, you’ve come to the right place.

Real benefits that matter

• Real flexibility with options to work from home, 9-day fortnight, flexible work hours
• Two well-being days each year to do whatever you need to do to feel good
• Access to long service leave pro rata after 3 years of service
• Take advantage of our co-contribution superannuation scheme. Receive a 12% employer contribution and enjoy an additional 2% employer co-contribution when you elect to salary sacrifice 2%.  
• Purchase additional leave of up to 12 weeks or work 4 years at a reduced salary and take the fifth year off as paid leave
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural and ceremonial leave of up to 5 days so you can maintain your cultural connection and wellbeing.   

Discover more benefits we offer to support the unique and individual ways our employees live.

What you can expect with this role

• Lead category management strategies supporting ACWS capital delivery and operational needs
• Develop and execute sourcing and procurement plans for complex, high‑risk procurement categories
• Manage RFx processes, high-value commercial negotiations and supplier mobilisation
• Identify and treat supply chain, market and delivery risks, particularly in remote contexts
• Partner with Contract Owners to improve contract utilisation and supplier performance
• Provide senior procurement advice and governance oversight to program stakeholders

Your skills and experience

• For this role, we are looking for great talent with:
• Substantial experience in strategic sourcing and category management
• Demonstrated experience supporting capital works, infrastructure or regional programs
• Strong commercial and negotiation capability in complex or constrained markets
• Experience managing supplier performance and post‑award contracts
• Ability to operate effectively in geographically dispersed or remote delivery environments
• Degree‑level qualification in a business‑related discipline or equivalent experience  

Sound like a match? Apply today

If you are interested in the above opportunity, please submit a covering letter and resume that best demonstrates your skills and experience as well as your ability to meet the requirements of the role. 

Applications close Wednesday 20th May 2026

As part of the recruitment process you will be required to complete Pre-Employment screening which may include a medical, qualification check police clearance and Australian working rights check.  

We reserve the right to withdraw this ad prior to the closing date.

Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace:

Diversity and inclusion are more than words. They guide us on building a thriving workforce that reflects the diversity of our customers and our community.

We encourage applications from every background, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, women, youth, LGBTQIA+ folks and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. 

We are committed to ensuring an accessible and inclusive work environment to enable people with disability to participate fully in all aspects of employment. 

Applicants with disability who require adjustments during the recruitment process including an alternative format of the application form, can contact a Recruitment Officer at recruitment@watercorporation.com.au or 08 9420 2000.  To read our diversity and inclusion statement, please visit our website.