Category Officer

About SA Water

SA Water provides essential water and wastewater services to more than 1.8 million people across South Australia. Its work supports community health and everyday life, with teams spanning engineering, science, construction, digital, operations and customer experience.

About the Supply Chain Team

The Supply Chain team has been recognised for strong performance, including winning Procurement Team of the Year - Large Organisation at the 2024 Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply Awards Australia and New Zealand. The award highlights teams that have improved effectiveness, influence, efficiency, savings and overall commercial performance.

About the Role

As a Category Officer, you will partner with stakeholders to manage supply performance across sub-categories of low to medium value and complexity. You will help shape and deliver category management plans, complete spend and market analysis, and support better commercial outcomes for SA Water.

The role also involves contributing to sourcing activity, maintaining supplier relationships and helping ensure procurement processes are followed correctly. It is suited to someone looking to strengthen their procurement capability while delivering meaningful business impact.

About Business Insights and Excellence

This business group uses data and analysis to produce trusted insights that support decision-making for customers and the wider community. The team works across finance and procurement, reporting, dashboarding and business partnership to improve performance and guide strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Work towards team objectives by delivering assigned tasks to a high standard and contributing to wider Supply Chain initiatives.
• Assist in building category management plans through market research, risk assessment, benchmarking and identification of improvement opportunities.
• Take ownership of specific parts of category action plans and manage defined areas of spend.
• Run sourcing and contract extension activities while achieving strong commercial results and meeting procurement compliance requirements.
• Develop productive working relationships with stakeholders and suppliers, and provide guidance on procurement and supply chain matters.
• Prepare insights using spend analysis, benchmarking and reporting to support category decisions.

Requirements

• Hands-on experience in procurement and contracting, with proven ability in negotiation and supplier management.
• Strong analytical and research capability.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships, along with strong written and verbal communication.
• Intermediate proficiency in MS Excel, Word and Outlook.
• Tertiary qualifications in Procurement, Law, Commerce or a related field, or MCIPS, are preferred but not mandatory.

Additional Information

Applicants must complete the online application form and upload both a cover letter and a current resume.

Enquiries or requests for a copy of the position description can be directed to Tracy in the Talent Acquisition team at tracy.rayan@sawater.com.au.

Applications close at 4:00 pm on 13 July 2026.

SA Water encourages applications from people of all backgrounds, including people living with disability, job seekers of all ages, LGBTIQA+ community members, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.

Candidates should note that recruitment agencies are requested not to submit applicants for this role, as those submissions will not be considered.

The role is part of an industry with broad opportunities in water. Further information about careers in water is available through the industry’s careers resource.