Category Manager, Strategic Sourcing Marketing

About the Role:

Organize, lead, and drive internal resources to support initiatives and lead strategic sourcing projects. Serve as a subject matter expert in relevant category / sub-category and demonstrate a strong global understanding of all aspects of the category. Manage markets and demonstrate strong analytical skills. Integrate spend data analytics, market insights, etc. to ensure the outcomes are comprehensive and aligned to corporate business goals.

What you will do:

The Category Sourcing Manager is responsible for managing the sourcing and procurement activities for the categories they oversee. They are responsible for developing and implementing the sourcing strategies for their categories. They will conduct in-depth market research and analysis to stay informed regarding their categories and to help drive strategic decisions.

It is the responsibility of the Category Sourcing Manager to drive complex supplier negotiations and foster strong supplier relationships.

They will continuously monitor the performance of their categories based on specific KPIs and determine how to improve cost saving measures and efficiency.

Responsibilities:

• Develops long term Category Strategy and plans for cross-segment/cross-line of business spend by

  • Identifying key stakeholders

  • Profiling category (spend, suppliers, contracts…)

  • Analyzing market trends and supplier landscape

  • Evaluating current situation and compare to best practices

  • Defining gaps and areas for improvement

• Supports the Sr. Manager while working with Segments to establish the cross-LOB cost efficiencies/strategic plan and development of the Enterprise Sourcing AOPs

• Is accountable for the delivery of savings established as part of the Marketing plan

• Develops the proposed plan and governance for implementation of the cross-LOB/cross-segment projects

• When developing the plan, pro-actively involves segment Sourcing leads to ensure requirements are respected and local experience and knowledge is leveraged while ensuring the Category Strategy is applied locally

• Nurtures and develops relationships with key internal senior stakeholders, and establish strategic relationships with key suppliers

• Leads key Sourcing initiatives (RFP’s/Pitches) for the Marketing category and provides guidance to any category related project executed by segment/enterprise sourcing teams

• Leverages global scale and adhere to global categories where applicable

• Provides rigorous cost and market analysis following the models established by Sourcing, focusing on the total value contribution

• Creates a mutual sharing and learning environment between regions and Category Sourcing teams

• Facilitates SRM opportunities with key suppliers in partnership with Senior Executive Sponsors

• Evaluates total cost/supply chain management analyses to identify opportunities to reduce costs

• Prepares and executes clear and structured negotiations following the Strategic Sourcing process

• Ensures consistent application of procurement processes across constituent groups

• Identifies, develops and deploys best practice supplier management, procurement and supply chain practices

• Institutionalizes procurement performance measures that demonstrate value and ensure supplier performance

• Ensures compliance, cost savings and performance measures are established, tracked and achieved

• Builds/establishes strategic relationships with key suppliers

• Supports sourcing staff and drives internal skill/capability development to broaden and build their skill sets and capabilities

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• 5+ years of relevant work experience, and/or progressive experience

• Ability to clearly communicate, including excellent verbal and presentation skills

• Strong stakeholder engagement skills

• Strong research and analytical skills

• Strong decision making skills including

• Ability to analyze data and summary key points

• Deep understanding of end-to-end procurement and sourcing acumen

Preferred Qualifications:

• CPM, CIRM, CPIM, or similar certifications preferred

• Work experience with Marketing and Professional Services

• Proven experience creating and implementing cross-segment strategies

Required Education

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant area such as supply chain management, engineering or relevant work experience.

Preferred Education

• Graduate / Master’s degree in business or another quantitative field