Category Manager - Procurement

Location: Ōtāhuhu, Auckland

Type of Contract: Full-time Permanent

As DB’s Category Manager - Procurement within our Commerce and Business Services (Indirect) portfolio, you will play a critical role in aligning our indirect supplier base with DB’s strategic priorities. You’ll drive value, strengthen partnerships, and optimise performance across Indirect Categories in the Commerce and Business Services spend areas. The major spend categories would include areas such as Agency and Trade Marketing, Event and Promotional spend, Facilities, Company Vehicles, IT services and similar.

In this role, you will lead the development and execution of strategic category plans, elevate supplier performance, and deliver procurement outcomes that support both local and global objectives. Your expertise will contribute to a commercially focused, high‑performing indirect procurement function that delivers long‑term value for DB Breweries.

Key Accountabilities

• Develop and execute indirect category strategies across all Commerce and Business Services categories
• Partner with internal stakeholders to understand procurement needs early, building strong relationships across Commerce and Business Services.
• Lead supplier engagement to drive innovation, cost optimisation, and service improvements.
• Manage indirect procurement projects at a local level while supporting and aligning with global HEINEKEN initiatives.
• Oversee contract lifecycle management, ensuring strong compliance with HEINEKEN standards and effective supplier performance review.
• Provide commercial insight and coaching to stakeholders to ensure transparent, strategic, and auditable procurement decisions.

Your Background & Experience

• 3–5 years’ experience in Procurement Category Management, preferably within indirect categories.
• Proven capability in drafting, negotiating, and approving contracts within New Zealand legal frameworks.
• Strong analytical skills with experience optimising supply chain spend and delivering measurable value.
• Experience in a manufacturing or FMCG environment preferred.
• Exposure to multinational operating models or global procurement frameworks is highly valued.

What You Will Bring

Experience

• 3–5 years’ experience in indirect Procurement Category Management.
• Strong understanding of NZ contract requirements and approval processes.
• Ability to analyse and optimise indirect spend to deliver cost efficiencies and value.
• Experience in manufacturing or FMCG preferred.
• Experience working within a multinational organisation is highly regarded.

Skills & Attributes

• Strong commercial acumen with excellent negotiation skills.
• Ability to build effective relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• High analytical capability and confidence using data to inform decision‑making.
• Strong influencing ability, with the confidence to challenge and coach stakeholders.
• High levels of professionalism, integrity, and commitment to compliance.

Join a world-class team and lead engineering excellence at one of New Zealand’s leading breweries. Apply now!

Please note: We are not accepting candidates from recruitment agencies for this role.

When you join DB Breweries, you join the global HEINEKEN whānau, where everyone is encouraged to be themselves, contribute their ideas, learn, and grow as part of one of the largest beer and cider brewing companies in the world spanning 70 countries. 

We believe diverse views make great brews, and the vibe in our team is very much reflected in our four values: PASSION for consumers and customers, CARE for people and planet, ENJOYMENT of life, and COURAGE to dream and pioneer.  We offer a great range of employee benefits and positive culture which includes:

• Free health, life and income protection insurances.
• 5% employer contribution to your Kiwisaver.
• Free monthly allowance of beer, RTDs, cider or zero alcohol beverages.
• Up to 50% employee discount at Star Hospitality venues.
• ‘Enjoyment of Life' leave (an extra day each year to do something you enjoy).
• A range of other benefits including generous parental leave provisions, free confidential counselling support, digital wills, feminine hygiene products, retail discounts and more.
• Free learning and wellbeing tools and leadership development programmes.
• As a member of Mind The Gap, we’re committed to addressing gender pay gaps and we’ve also supported the Pacific Pay Gap Inquiry.
• Free parking.