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About the company

SA Water is a successful, modern water utility wholly owned by the Government of South Australia. We employ more than 1,700 people across a broad range of disciplines who operate more than $14 billion worth of infrastructure to deliver essential water and sewerage services to more than 1.8 million South Australians.

We operate in a geographically and climatically diverse service area, with sites and locations from Ceduna through to Port Augusta, the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, across to the Riverland, down to Mount Gambier, and most places in between.

Our strength and expertise have been shaped by our history. For more than 165 years, South Australians have depended on us to innovate and deliver efficient and sustainable water services. With nationally and internationally recognised industry expertise, we’re focused on understanding and meeting our customers’ expectations.

As well as safely delivering smart and reliable services for our customers of today, we innovate to shape the water solutions of the future that will support thriving economies and healthy communities.

We are driven by our values; we value our people, we do work that matters, we keep it real, we know that our work has impact and we are future focussed. Staying true to our values ensures that we consistently deliver positive outcomes for all South Australians.

About Our Supply Chain Team

Our Supply Chain team is award winning, taking out the Procurement Team of the Year – Large Organisation award at the 2024 Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply Awards Australia and New Zealand. These awards are an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the best work and teams in the procurement profession. 

This team award recognises high performing procurement teams who have made significant improvements to their performance and culture resulting in increased effectiveness, influence, efficiencies, savings or competitive advantage.

To find out more about our Supply Chain team and how we work visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kvFHtOzry4.

About the job

The Manager Supply Chain Insights and Excellence plays a pivotal leadership role in shaping and elevating SA Water’s end‑to‑end supply chain performance. Overseeing multiple specialist teams, the position is responsible for delivering a business‑wide excellence framework, optimising procurement and supply chain systems, and ensuring high‑quality support services for an annual spend of over $1B across over 1,000 users. The role leads the development of supply chain strategy, governance, capability programs and operational services including logistics, inventory management, warehouse operations and the Buyers Desk while driving continuous improvement, compliance and commercial outcomes. It is a highly influential position that combines strategic insight, operational oversight and strong people leadership to ensure SA Water’s supply chain is efficient, safe, compliant and future‑ready.

About the person

The ideal person for this role is a strategic, forward‑thinking supply chain leader who thrives in complex environments and brings a strong blend of commercial acumen, systems expertise and people leadership. They are highly skilled in procurement governance, business improvement and supply chain systems, with the ability to analyse challenges, design effective solutions and drive organisation‑wide change. Equally important is their ability to build strong relationships, communicate with influence and lead multidisciplinary teams with clarity, purpose and accountability. They demonstrate sound judgement, a commitment to compliance and continuous improvement, and the confidence to guide SA Water toward more efficient, reliable and future‑ready supply chain operations.

About Business Insights and Excellence

The Business Insights and Excellence group drives operational excellence by enabling best business financial practices, economic pricing, supply chain management, and corporate governance and risk management to support the broader business and partners in delivering reliable, cost-effective, sustainable, and future-focused outcomes.

Your responsibilities for this opportunity

Fostering trust with our people, customers and community by providing expert advice and service that ensure we effectively communicate and engage audiences with our business strategy and its delivery across South Australia, every day.

You will:

• Build and lead a high‑performing team that collaborates effectively and delivers strong business outcomes.
• Develop and deliver the Supply Chain business plan, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities and compliance requirements.
• Oversee supply chain systems, ensuring they are reliable, accessible and optimised, while partnering with IT on future system roadmaps.
• Lead business‑wide supply chain excellence initiatives, including governance frameworks, capability programs, audit actions and policy implementation.
• Provide supply chain intelligence and reporting to enhance commercial decision‑making and operational efficiency.
• Manage supply chain services, including the Buyers Desk, inventory management, warehouse operations and logistics functions.

Your success in this role will come from:

• Tertiary qualifications in Finance, Economics, Logistics, Management, Commerce or Business, or equivalent experience.
• Advanced experience in audit, compliance and business improvement processes.
• Proven success in procurement strategy and governance within government or large, complex organisations.
• Strong knowledge of supply chain and procurement systems, including system upgrades and change management.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to analyse systems, solve problems and deliver commercial, technical and contractual solutions.
• Demonstrated leadership capability across multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience in logistics or distribution (desirable).

Further information can be found in the attached- PD-Manager Supply Chain Insights and Excellence.docx

To apply, click 'Apply'. Please submit and complete the application form, upload a cover letter and current resume. For enquiries, please contact Tracy from the Talent Acquisition team tracy.rayan@sawater.com.au

Applications close 4pm, 27 January 2026

A great customer experience is best achieved by having a diverse and inclusive team that reflects the community we serve. Applications are encouraged from everyone, including people living with disability, job seekers of all ages, members of the LGBTQA+ community, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.

Our Industry is like no other. Dive into the wonderful world of water and explore the boundless opportunities. Learn more about the water industry at careersinwater.com.au

Please note: We request that recruitment agencies do not submit candidates for this position, as they will not be accepted.