Strategic Category Manager

“It's the commercial engine behind one of the most complex systems in the country – and every smart decision supports better health outcomes for Aotearoa. This is a role where you can make a genuine difference, somewhere different.”

Health NZ Commercial Directorate

The newly established Commercial Directorate within the Procurement, Supply Chain & Health Technology Management (PSC&HTM) team at Health New Zealand is a national function with a vast and complex scope. They play a critical role in ensuring the availability, safety, and efficiency of clinical and non-clinical goods and services across the health system. Responsible for managing and influencing over $9 billion in annual spend, the team are central to delivering high-quality patient outcomes and standardising product usage across regions.

About the Role

As a Strategic Category Manager within our Commercial Directorate, you will play a key role in shaping and executing commercial strategies that support the delivery of high-quality healthcare across Aotearoa. This role is responsible for leading and overseeing the full commercial lifecycle of a designated category. You will lead the strategy development of a given categories and ensure our Sourcing Managers and Supplier Performance Managers, deliver excellent value through procurement, contracting, and supplier performance management within those categories for HealthNZ.

This is a high-impact role that offers the opportunity to influence national procurement practices and deliver meaningful public value. Few procurement jobs combine scale, complexity, and impact like those at Health New Zealand. We're talking about billions of dollars, thousands of suppliers, and a highly capable team that supports the health of an entire nation. This is where your skills move from impressive to invaluable. Here, your work doesn't just ripple through spreadsheets - it ripples through people's lives.

About you

You are a strategic and commercially minded professional with a strong background in category management and sourcing. You thrive in complex environments and bring a collaborative approach to your work. Your ability to build strong relationships, navigate market dynamics, and deliver impactful results makes you a trusted advisor and leader in your field. Driving and delivering value is simply second nature to you. And now, your time has truly come. The time to apply that skill and seasoned expertise to something bigger. A procurement career move – a calling - with real purpose. Imagine the impact and personal reward of helping to keep neonatal units stocked, emergency departments running, and hospital patients fed. This is career challenge with care running through every part.

You will bring:

• A tertiary qualification in a relevant field.
• 5+ years of experience in category management or strategic sourcing.
• Proven success in contract negotiation and supplier relationship management.
• Strong financial and market analysis capabilities.
• A collaborative and inclusive leadership style.

Working for Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is the country's largest employer, delivering universal public healthcare to 5 million New Zealanders. We provide essential hospital, specialist, and community health services across 80+ locations - from large urban centres to rural towns and remote communities. Our goal is to improve health outcomes for all New Zealanders by delivering equitable, accessible and innovative care. 

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

How to Apply

To apply please click “apply now.”  All applications must be submitted through our online careers' portal by 18th November 2025. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Shannon Elder at shannon.elder@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Please note: Te Whatu Ora is partnering with executive search firms Tribe Recruitment and Alexander James to manage the appointment process for the Strategic Category Manager role. By submitting your application, you consent to Te Whatu Ora sharing your details with Tribe Recruitment and Alexander James for the purposes of recruitment and assessment.

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert. 

 Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position.