Category Manager

Location: brisbane
Job Type: permanent
Salary: Competitive Salary
Contact: Anthony Branch
About Our Client

Our client is a dynamic and fast-paced FMCG business based in Brisbane, with a strong passion for delivering high-quality products to their customers. With a collaborative and engaged culture, they pride themselves on their established supplier relationships and their continuous pursuit of innovation and excellence.

They are now seeking a hands-on Category Manager – Directs to take ownership of a critical and complex direct spend portfolio. This will include ingredients, raw materials, packaging, and contract manufacturing. The role will be central to optimising category performance, strengthening supplier partnerships, and developing sourcing strategies that ensure supply continuity and deliver exceptional commercial value.

The Role

As Category Manager – Directs, you will manage strategic sourcing and supplier relationships across business-critical direct categories. You will partner closely with internal stakeholders and a diverse supplier network, both locally and globally, to
ensure best value, quality, and service while supporting innovation and growth.

Key Responsibilities
  • Category Strategy Development: Develop and execute category plans for ingredients, raw materials, packaging, and contract manufacturing, aligning with business needs and delivering sustainable value.
  • Supplier Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong partnerships with key suppliers while identifying and onboarding new partners to enhance the category supply base.
  • Market & Spend Analysis: Monitor market trends, cost drivers, and supply risks across direct categories to inform sourcing strategies.
  • Sourcing & Negotiation: Lead tender processes and contract negotiations to secure favourable commercial terms and ensure supply security.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with manufacturing, quality, NPD, and supply chain teams to ensure category strategies align with operational and product requirements.
  • Risk Management: Proactively identify and mitigate supply chain risks, particularly in long-lead or single-source materials.
  • Continuous Improvement: Drive innovation, cost optimisation, and process efficiencies within your categories.
About You

You are a proactive, commercially minded category professional with significant experience managing complex direct spend portfolios in FMCG or manufacturing. You bring deep knowledge of sourcing ingredients, raw materials, packaging, or contract manufacturing and have a proven track record in delivering value through supplier partnerships, negotiation, and strategic category planning.

You combine strong commercial acumen with the ability to influence and collaborate across functions, ensuring category strategies support operational excellence and product innovation.

Skills & Experience
  • Proven experience in category management or procurement within FMCG, pharmaceutical, healthcare, or related industries.
  • Expertise in managing complex direct spend categories such as ingredients, raw materials, packaging, or contract manufacturing.
  • Experience working with both local and global suppliers.
  • Strong negotiation, analytical, and supplier relationship management skills.
  • Hands-on, proactive approach with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, results-driven environment.
  • Experience in manufacturing environments highly regarded.
What’s on Offer
  • Engaged and Passionate Culture: Join a collaborative business that embraces innovation.
  • Career Development: Opportunities to grow within a successful FMCG organisation.
  • Competitive Salary & Benefits: Attractive package based on experience.
If you are a strategic yet hands-on category leader looking to make an impact in a growing FMCG business, our client would love to hear from you. Reach out to Anthonyb@sde.com.au for any further information. 

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