Category Manager
Location: Parramatta
Employment type: Ongoing Full time
Salary: Clerk Grade 11/12 ($149,739 - $173,174 pa), plus employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading
The Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) is the lead agency under the Stronger Communities Cluster. DCJ works to enable everyone's right to access justice and help for families through early intervention and inclusion, with benefits for the whole community. Stronger Communities is focussed on achieving safe, just, inclusive and resilient communities by providing services that are effective and responsive to community needs.
Your role
The Category Manager provides leadership and direction in the categories under management, including supply market management and development, strategic planning and execution, and contract and risk management activities, to meet business needs.
What you'll do
As part of the Strategic Procurement team, you will be responsible for developing and executing category plans and sourcing strategies to deliver value for money and meet stakeholder needs. It involves managing a wide range of commercial, contractual, operational and supply chain risks, leading complex negotiations, and providing expert procurement advice to stakeholders. The position also focuses on driving innovation, enhancing stakeholder engagement, optimising supplier performance, and leading a category management team and cross-functional groups to ensure consistent, high-performing procurement outcomes.
Effective procurement is fundamental to Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) by enabling the delivery of programs, goods, and services that support a safe, just, and inclusive NSW. We aim to support government objectives and advance our strategic priorities by prioritising innovative, local, and socially just suppliers, whilst considering the best value. We recognise that collaborating with our stakeholders and internal teams is essential to successfully delivering business needs. We commit to providing expert advice and trusted business partnerships, to deliver strategic services that achieve DCJ outcomes and government priorities in an efficient and sustainable manner.
What we're looking for
The ideal candidate must bring extensive procurement experience, with a proven track record of developing and leading complex category strategies, managing high-value and high-risk supply arrangements, and delivering value-for-money outcomes. Proven experience leading teams and engaging senior stakeholders to drive consistent, high‐performing procurement outcomes is highly desirable.
Download the role description.
We focus on hiring people who share our commitment and goals of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, courage and integrity. If you meet the essential requirements and the role resonates with you, please apply – you do not need to meet every desired requirement for us to want to talk to you.
What We Offer
We offer a variety of benefits, including:
* A challenging and rewarding career
* Flexible, autonomous work environment
* Competitive pay and conditions
* Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities
* Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.
Want more information? Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.
We do work that really matters
Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It's work that really matters.
Apply now and join Australia's top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment!
Are you ready to join us?
Click apply, attach a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements of the role as well as an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages).
Applications close Wednesday, 22nd April 2026 at 11:59pm AEST.
Got a question?
For more information about the role or what it's like to work for DCJ, please contact the Jamie Campbell, Senior Executive Officer on 0400 041 385 or at
If you've got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please call Sarah Nguyen on 02 9765 5046 or via
Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.
Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit
We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups.
To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.
Other Information
A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.
For more information visit Your recruitment journey on the DCJ website.
Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.
To keep up with recruitment opportunities at DCJ, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CareersatDCJ/
The Welcome Experience
Thinking about moving to regional NSW? Get free, personalised support with housing, schools, jobs, and settling in. Learn more: www.nsw.gov.au/welcomeexperience
The careers site currently promotes this service on the 'Discover roles with DCJ in regional NSW' page.