Category Specialist – Technology & Indirects

About Southern Ports

Southern Ports operates the gateway ports of Albany, Bunbury, and Esperance, connecting regional WA to global markets. We focus on safe, efficient, and sustainable port operations, delivering value to our customers and communities. With a strong commitment to our people, we’re building a diverse, high-performing workforce to support the future of regional trade.

Perks of Joining Southern Ports

Joining Southern Ports Authority comes with numerous benefits that cater to a wide range of professional and personal needs, some examples being:

- Flexible Working Arrangements: Enjoy a work-life balance that suits your lifestyle and personal commitments.
- Annual Health and Well-being Benefits: Take advantage of programs and resources aimed at maintaining your physical and mental health.
- Salary Sacrificing Options: Maximise your take-home pay through tailored salary packaging arrangements such as Novated Car Leasing and Superannuation
- Opportunity to Travel: Experience different geographical regions in Western Australia, enhancing your professional and personal growth.
- Generous Purchase Leave Options: Gain additional leave options to suit your personal needs and preferences.

Salary: $128,651 per annum + Superannuation + Regional Allowance if based regionally. Increasing to $135,084 per annum on January 1st 2027.

The Role

Southern Ports is recruiting a Permanent Full-Time Category Specialist – Technology & Indirects to join their team based at any of our locations Perth, Bunbury, Albany or Esperance. The successful candidate will have a solid knowledge of technology contracting and procurement. Lead end-to-end sourcing, contract development, negotiation and administration for technology scopes, ensuring fit-for-purpose contracts that deliver value and strong supplier performance.

Partner with stakeholders to develop category strategies, manage supplier relationships and identify opportunities to improve procurement outcomes. Apply your expertise to deliver compliant, commercially sound technology solutions that support Southern Ports’ operational and strategic objectives.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

- Support the delivery of Category strategies to deliver superior Contract performance for key stakeholders
- Develop and engineer “fit for purpose” contracts for scopes of work provided.
- Lead the sourcing, evaluation and the award contracts.
- Administer contracts post award including management of claims,



variations, change requests, milestone payments, and contract securities.
- Manage assigned procurement categories for all SPA business needs in area of responsibility.
- Deliver end to end contracting and procurement requirements for assigned category.
- Lead the development and delivery of sourcing and category plans to achieve stakeholder requirements addressing ESG, supply security and social license imperatives.
- Increase stakeholder satisfaction with the Procurement function by identifying and engaging collaboratively with stakeholders to ensure supply chain strategy alignment and delivery of solutions that deliver value.
- Proactively engage with assigned category core and strategic market suppliers.
- Identify category improvement opportunities and initiatives through effective category planning and stakeholder engagement and positively contribute to the implementation of initiatives.
- Complete WA Government reporting requirements for each project in TendersWA and WA IndustryLink.
- Provide support, advice and ensure that procurement policies and procedures are followed and assist in the ongoing improvement and development of them.
- Representation and/or attendance as required at WA supplier forums.
- Ensure compliance with SPA and State Government procurement processes and policies.

Required

- Suitable Degree Qualification in a business, commerce, quantity surveying, legal or related background
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in a similar role
- Practical hands-on experience in negotiating, documenting, managing and closing out contracts and agreements
- Experience in using ERP systems and Procure to Pay (P2P) business process
- Track record of successful stakeholder relationship development and management
- Experience in analysis and due diligence of commercial proposals
- Knowledge of category management principles, tools and techniques
- Proven negotiation skills
- Methodical and precise approach to handling commercial and contractual information
- Knowledge of and skills in using computerised spreadsheet applications (e.g.: Excel)



and sound knowledge of and skills in use of word processing packages (e.g.: Word)
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to convey information in a clear, concise manner
- Ability to travel to other Southern Ports locations (Albany, Bunbury, Esperance and Perth)

Preferred

- Proven experience applying category management principles, tools and techniques in technology and indirects categories.
- Successfully developed, executed and managed category and sourcing strategies.
- Knowledge of technology and indirects category scopes and markets.
- Knowledge of forms of contract and commercial models supporting technology and indirects categories and scopes.
- Proven contract administration skills including management of claims, variations, change requests, milestone payments, and contract securities.

To see the PD for this role, please copy and paste the below link into your browser: Position Description https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/j6z7ptnz1ary3vzt7td4a/PD-Category-Specialist-Technology-and-Indirects.pdf?rlkey=l5yok2o3qg6ah53wviwxn14rw&st;=rgxzmlfw&dl;=0

SPA Administration and Specialist Services Agreement 2025

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/lydem2zw7xves7lsp9jpo/SPA-Administration-and-Specialist-Services-Agreement-2025.pdf?rlkey=4ik2jk895ik1ayx57lebs57e3&st;=due5ryvn&dl;=0

Requirements To apply, please submit your application through our advertisement. Ensure you include an up-to-date resume.

To be eligible for this role, applicants must reside either Perth, Bunbury, Albany or Esperance and provide proof of Australian citizenship or permanent residency.

The successful applicant must

- Have a current Western Australian driver’s licence
- Be able to obtain and maintain a Maritime Security Identification Card
- Pass a pre-employment medical assessment including drug and alcohol testing
- Provide a National Police Certificate that is within a 6-month period.

Southern Ports is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not discriminate against race, gender, age, religion, sexual preference or disability. We encourage applications from all culturally diverse backgrounds, Indigenous Australians and Non-Indigenous Australians. Southern Ports is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and impartial workplace with equal opportunities for all employees. Applications close: COB 16 October 2026

We reserve the right to commence the recruitment process during the application period.

📌 Category Specialist: Technology and Indirects (Perth)
🏢 Southern Ports
📍 Perth