Category Manager

The Role An exciting opportunity exists for a high-performing commercially savvy individual who is passionate about achieving excellent outcomes for Defence to join the Strategic Market Management team within the External Workforce Reform (EWR) branch. You will be build understanding of the professional services category, services delivered, and the commercial issues facing users across Defence. You will make an ongoing contribution to the strategy for the category. The Strategic Market Management team helps Defence to be an effective user of the services provided by the firms. The category management team will review and advise Defence users on their use of the market. You will be engaged to refine project scope so that well-defined needs and clear requirements are incorporated in appropriate approaches to market. Our vision is to make Defence the best user of consulting support in Government. The market intelligence you gather on suppliers and their performance for Defence will guide approaches to market. Contributing artefacts to the knowledge bank will ensure that colleagues have access to insights on the market and detailed examples of best practices. You will be motivated by a passion for public outcomes and a respect for the value that external workforce provides when we partner with them well. You will record and have access to detailed information about suppliers, their services, and Defence experience using them. You will provide well researched advice to business areas when they are seeking to engage the market. As you will be working at the junction between Defence and market you will maintain the highest standards of integrity and demonstrate the APS and Defence values in everything you do. About our Team The EWR branch was established to embed an enduring change to the way Defence interacts with and utilises the external workforce. The team has a broad agenda focused on building a culture that ensures contracted support is only used where it provides the best value for the Australian taxpayer. The team will be pivotal in enabling Defence to achieve the transformational change required to deliver the agenda outlined in the National Defence Strategy. Through the External Workforce Reform Action Plan, the team are extending the work started in March 2023 across all parts of the external workforce. Built on three pillars of effort; the External Workforce Hub, Australian Defence Consulting, and Strategic Market Management, the goal is to ensure Defence can deploy the right resources at the right time to deliver is mission sustainably and with maximum effect. Defence is the largest user of consulting firms and consulting support in the Commonwealth. We account for around 70% of the Federal Government use of consulting firms. They are an integral part of the external workforce that supports Defence to deliver its mission. Our Ideal Candidate EWR Branch prides itself on a positive, collaborative, and supportive workplace culture. For us it is all about the team, and we want people who are keen to be part of the culture we have created. You will be a member of a small team and have relationships with colleagues within the EWR branch and across Defence. Our ideal candidate will be team-orientated, with strong relationship building skills. To be successful in the role you will: Have strong communication and engagement skills, and a track record as an effective team member building and sustaining relationship with colleagues and suppliers; Be proactive and have a ‘can do’ attitude when working through a range of activities in a fast paced environment with competing priorities; Have research, analytic, and writing skills to build and convey deep understanding of supplier approaches; Demonstrate empathy, maturity and discretion when dealing with complex situations; and; Have a passion and commitment for Defence’s mission and outcomes, with the integrity and professionalism to uphold APS and Defence Values and Behaviours. Application Closing Date: Monday 15 December, 2025 For further information please review the job information pack, reference DFG/08913/25 on #J-18808-Ljbffr