Senior Category Manager (AI Procurement)

Location: Australia; candidates across Australia are welcome, with a preference for Melbourne or Sydney.

Company

hirify.global designs, builds and operates environmentally efficient data centres supporting digital infrastructure across Australia and Asia.

What you will do

• Develop and execute multi-year procurement strategies for contingent labour and professional services across Australia and Asia.
• Analyse spend, demand, rate benchmarks and supply markets to identify savings, demand management and innovation opportunities.
• Lead RFI, RFP, tender and high-value negotiation processes with labour hire providers, recruitment agencies, MSPs and consulting firms.
• Design the contingent workforce operating model, including supplier panels, rate cards, margin structures, MSP/VMS options and direct sourcing.
• Manage commercial frameworks, supplier performance, category risk, compliance, reporting and stakeholder partnerships with Development, Engineering and Construction teams.
• Adopt AI and automation across spend analytics, market research, rate benchmarking, sourcing, contract review and supplier performance, while supporting expansion into new Asian markets.

Requirements

• Proven ability to develop and deliver category strategies that generate measurable and sustained commercial value.
• Expert negotiation, financial and analytical skills, including analysis of rate cards, margins and total external workforce costs.
• Knowledge of Australian workplace regulations for contingent labour, including the Fair Work Act, labour hire licensing and modern slavery obligations.
• Ability to influence senior leaders and translate complex commercial and risk issues into clear recommendations.
• Strong understanding of services contracts and commercial terms, including MSAs, panel agreements and SOWs.
• Advanced spend analysis, Excel and BI skills, plus working knowledge of e-procurement, ERP and VMS platforms.
• Ability to lead change and adoption of new processes in a fast-paced, high-growth environment, with excellent written and verbal communication.
• High ownership, resilience, curiosity and unquestionable integrity.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Commerce, Supply Chain, Law, Human Resources or a related discipline.
• At least 5 years of procurement or category management experience, including at least 3 years leading contingent labour and/or professional services categories in a large, complex organisation.
• Proven record of delivering significant savings and value across labour hire, contractor and consulting spend.
• Experience designing or transforming contingent workforce programmes, including MSP/VMS, preferred supplier panels and SOW governance.

Nice to have

• MCIPS qualification or active progress towards it.
• Experience with similar labour arrangements in Asia.
• Hands-on procurement AI experience; AI experience is advantageous but not essential.
• Experience in data centres, critical infrastructure, construction, energy, telecommunications or technology.
• Experience operating across Asia-Pacific.

Culture & Benefits

• Work in a fast-growing, future-focused technology company supporting AI and digital infrastructure in Australia.
• Collaborative, inclusive and values-driven culture focused on safety, sustainability, diversity and ethical sourcing.
• Career development and progression opportunities as the business expands.
• Commitment to building a diverse and inclusive workforce representing the communities where hirify.global operates.