ICT Category Lead

ICT Category Lead

Location: Brisbane

• Drive strategic technology procurement
• Permanent Full-Time role
• Support Australia's largest rail freight network

Aurizon’s ICT category needs a reset — and we’re looking for someone who relishes that challenge.  As Australia’s largest rail freight operator and an ASX Top 100 company, our technology footprint is substantial: enterprise platforms, major cloud and SaaS investments, managed services, ITSM, telecommunications infrastructure, and complex IT outsourcing arrangements that underpin operations across the country. It’s a $50M–$150M portfolio that touches every part of the business.  We’re seeking a hands-on ICT Procurement Category Lead who has genuine depth across the technology spend spectrum — someone who can walk into a room with the Head of Technology and their leadership team, speak credibly about the market, challenge commercial decisions, and be the trusted partner that translates technology strategy into procurement value.

About the role:

Reporting to the Manager Procurement Partner for Corporate & Enterprise Services, you will own the full ICT category lifecycle — from strategy and sourcing through to contract execution and vendor governance. You will also lead and develop a Category Advisor based in India, building team capability across the sourcing lifecycle.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and implementing multi-year ICT category strategies across hardware, enterprise software, cloud and SaaS, ITSM, ITES, ITO, telecommunications, and managed services.
• Leading end-to-end sourcing processes (RFI, RFQ, RFT and RFP) for high-value ICT contracts, bringing rigour, competitive tension, and commercial discipline.
• Negotiating complex commercial agreements across software licensing (Microsoft, SAP, ServiceNow), cloud services, managed services, and IT outsourcing arrangements.
• Managing supplier relationships, governance frameworks and contract performance outcomes.
• Acting as the primary procurement interface to the Head of Technology, Technology Directors, and Enterprise Architects — challenging requirements, shaping business cases, and providing unsolicited market intelligence.
• Identifying and managing commercial, operational and ICT supply chain risks.
• You'll have a dedicated Category Advisor to own analytics, market intelligence and contract administration — letting you focus on strategy, sourcing and stakeholder relationships.
• Providing day-to-day direction, coaching, and professional development to the Category Advisor (India), building effective cross-geography working rhythms.

About you:

You’re a procurement professional who’s built their career in ICT — not someone who’s drifted into it. You know how Microsoft EAs are structured, what an ITO exit clause should look like, and why a SaaS contract with no data portability clause is a problem. You can translate all of that into a language that resonates with both senior IT stakeholders and Finance.

To be successful, you will bring:

• 7+ years in procurement, with at least 4 years specialising in ICT category management.
• Demonstrated success leading complex sourcing projects and commercial negotiations for high-value ICT contracts.
• Deep hands-on expertise across: enterprise software licensing, cloud/SaaS, ITSM, ITES, ITO/managed services, hardware, and telecommunications.
• Strong commercial acumen: TCO modelling, pricing benchmarking, commercial risk identification, and an ability to influence senior technical stakeholders.
• Experience managing or mentoring direct reports, including remote or offshore team members.
• A tertiary qualification in Business, Commerce, Supply Chain, Information Technology or a related discipline.

Highly regarded:

• MCIPS or equivalent procurement qualification.
• Experience within a large, complex or regulated environment.
• Exposure to offshore teams, contract lifecycle management tools and cybersecurity procurement.

**What we offer you:**At Aurizon, we support the development and growth of our employees. With a national portfolio of operations, we offer long-term and exciting career opportunities.

Some of our benefits include:

• Hybrid working arrangement based from our Brisbane office.
• Discounts on selected health insurance funds, personal travel, gyms, vehicles and retail brands.
• Parental leave program and super booster.

About Aurizon.

Aurizon is Australia’s largest rail freight operator and a top 100 ASX company. Each year, we deliver more than 250 million tonnes of Australian commodities right across the country. Aurizon is crucial to the Australian economy, connecting miners, primary producers and industry with international and domestic markets. As a complex and growing technology enterprise, Aurizon’s ICT function is central to operational excellence — making this role critical to how we manage and optimise our technology supply chain.

Look to Aurizon for a diverse and collaborative culture.

At Aurizon, we are proud of our diverse, collaborative, creative and high-performance culture. We celebrate the contribution of every employee and provide opportunities for career development in a dynamic, caring, and inclusive work environment.

To learn about us and our company values, please visit www.aurizon.com.au/careers