Category Specialist

• Support Lifeblood's procurement team by leading sourcing activities, negotiating value for money contracts and managing suppliers.
• Fixed-term Full-time parental leave cover
• Based at our Melbourne Processing Centre, West Melbourne
• Offering salary $100k – $140k base + super + salary packaging

Discover life-giving possibilities

Lifeblood is more than just a job or a career, it’s an opportunity to be part of something that matters. As an organisation, our purpose is simple: life giving donations, for life changing outcomes. Together, we want to help you build a fulfilling career with Lifeblood.

About the role

The Sourcing Specialist supports our category management team and assists with developing and negotiating business wide contracts that deliver cost effective solutions for operational requirements.  

Working with our category managers, you will author and lead stakeholders through the creation of sourcing plans, lead tenders and undertake contract negotiations and pricing strategies. Our Sourcing Specialist will be able to provide advice about our procurement process including any required documents or templates to internal stakeholders. Once established, our Sourcing Specialist will also lead the different phases of sourcing, including planning, analysing expenditures, identifying cost items, negotiating and executing contracts.  

This role will support the repositioning of the procurement function at Lifeblood, lifting the functions’ profile and emphasising communications with stakeholders. 

Sound interesting? Here’s what we’re looking for: 

• At least 4-7 years experience in a strategic procurement function undertaking sourcing/tendering activities.
• Experience in developing and undertaking contract negotiations, pricing schedules and management plans.
• Commercial experience, especially understanding Agreement terms and conditions and negotiating same.
• Ability to manage projects and establish clear goals, schedule and documented outcomes to ensure successful delivery (on time, within budget, meeting agreed upon success criteria).
• Experience managing multiple sourcing events simultaneously.
• Advanced systems skills and working knowledge of MS Office, including Excel (able to create and manipulate pivot tables)
• Effective interpersonal, communication, stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Able to build trusted and collaborative working relationships .
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills tailored to suit all levels of audience.

This is a 12-13 month fixed term opportunity with a hybrid working environment based out of our Melbourne Processing Centre. Please note the requirement to attend our offices based in West Melbourne every Tuesday. 

Benefits and Wellbeing

We place our employee's well-being at the forefront and express gratitude and care for one another. As an Australian Workplace Equality Index recognised employer and one of Australia’s menopause-friendly organisations, we celebrate diversity and support all our people.

In addition to being a part of an organisation that is the heartbeat of the nation, you will have access to the following:

• Ability to purchase additional annual leave
• Access to salary packaging with an option to package up to $15,900 for living expenses and $2,650 for meals and entertainment
• 14 weeks paid parental leave - no waiting period for either parent
• Our dedicated employee assistance program - Sonder that you can access 24/7 from an app on your phone
• Plus, many more!

Is Lifeblood your reason? Apply NOW!

We are a 2025 Circle Back Initiative Employer and commit to respond to every applicant. You’ll hear from us with an outcome after your application has been reviewed and assessed. For further details on this position, or if you require adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, we encourage you to reach out to Svet on ssubotic@redcrossblood.org.au

If you want to know more about our recruitment process or to check out our FAQ's, please click here

Please note: applications sent directly to this email address cannot be accepted

This vacancy is being managed directly by Lifeblood’s Talent Acquisition team. We won’t accept candidates from external recruitment agencies on this occasion.