Interim Category Manager - Events & Sponsorships

• Please note, that all applicants applying for US job openings must be legally authorized to work in the United States.***

Our Customer is the market leader in enterprise application software, helping companies of all sizes and in all industries run at their best. A top cloud company with 200 million users worldwide, they help businesses of all sizes and in all industries to operate profitably, adapt continuously, and achieve their purpose. Their machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced analytics technologies help turn customers’ businesses into intelligent enterprises.

Their end-to-end suite of applications and services enables our customers to operate profitably, adapt continuously, and make a difference.

We are seeking a Interim Category Manager – Events & Sponsor ships on a contract basis to support our Customer’s business needs. This role is 100%
remote
.

• Seeking a highly experienced and immediately available Interim Category Manager – Events & Sponsor ships to join the Global Marketing Procurement team on a freelancer / C-User assignment basis for a minimum period of six months, with the possibility of extension.
• The role is available immediately and has arisen due to an urgent business need within a critical and high-profile procurement category.
• The incoming interim resource will be required to take up this active program without delay, drive it through to completion, and deliver on a board-level cost optimization program.
• This includes finalizing ongoing supplier negotiations, managing supplier selection processes, and executing all required contracting activities to secure the targeted commercial outcomes.
• Beyond the immediate program delivery, the role carries a strategic mandate.
• The successful candidate will develop and execute a forward-looking vendor ecosystem strategy for Events & Sponsor ships, bringing structure, transparency, and rigor to a category with a spend in excess of 300 million EUR.
• The category is characterized by a high degree of complexity across both the supplier landscape and the internal requester community, and demands a seasoned professional who can navigate this environment with confidence.
• In close partnership with senior Marketing and Business stakeholders, the interim Category Manager will act as a catalyst for change – providing strategic leadership, driving a future operating model and governance model for the entire Events & Sponsor ships category, and positioning Procurement as a trusted strategic partner to the business. Assignment type:
  Freelancer / C-User (external contractor)
• Duration:
  Minimum 6 months, with option to extend
• Reporting:
  Global Head of Marketing Procurement
• We welcome applications from senior procurement professionals who bring deep expertise, immediate availability, and a drive to deliver exceptional results in a high-visibility, high-impact environment.

• Immediate RFP Program Delivery & Contracting
• Take immediate ownership of active global RFPs within Events & third-party Sponsor ships and drive them to completion
• Finalize supplier negotiations and lead supplier selection processes in line with commercial targets
• Execute contracting for selected suppliers, ensuring legal compliance and alignment with the organization procurement standards
• Deliver measurable savings outcomes as part of the board-level cost optimization program.
• Provide regular status updates and executive-level reporting on program progress and commercial outcomes
• Strategic Category Management & Vendor Ecosystem
• Develop and execute a comprehensive category strategy for Events & Sponsor ships, covering both short-term delivery and long-term strategic direction
• Design and implement the future vendor ecosystem for Events & Sponsor ships, rationalizing the supply base and establishing strategic partnerships
• Bring structure and clarity to a highly complex category (>300m EUR spend) with a large and diverse supplier and requester landscape
• Lead complex global sourcing initiatives including high-value eRFX processes, multi-year agreements, and regional event frameworks
• Harmonise Source-to-Pay, contracting, and vendor management processes across regions to…