Sr. Manager, Category

Job Summary

Lead the global sourcing and category management strategy for all marketing spend categories across all brands. Manage annual marketing spend of $300M+ supporting all global marketing activities. Partner closely with senior marketing leadership and cross‑functional stakeholders to enable business and brand growth objectives while improving overall cost competitiveness. Align procurement strategies with company marketing priorities, innovation roadmaps, and go‑to‑market initiatives. Serve as a strategic advisor to business stakeholders to balance creativity, speed‑to‑market, quality, risk, and cost optimization.

• Develop and execute global and regional category strategies across all marketing spend areas, aligning sourcing initiatives with business objectives and stakeholder requirements.
• Own strategic sourcing and supplier management for marketing categories including creative agencies, media, digital/social marketing, events, production, sponsor ships, market research, analytics, and promotional materials.
• Deliver annual cost savings targets of 5–10%+ through strategic sourcing, commercial negotiations, and supplier optimization initiatives.
• Drive value creation through cost reduction, demand management, process improvements, and innovative commercial solutions.
• Identify opportunities for spend leverage, standardization, supplier consolidation, and improved total cost of ownership.
• Monitor market trends, inflationary pressures, and industry developments to proactively manage costs and mitigate supply risks.
• Lead the end‑to‑end strategic sourcing process, including opportunity assessment, strategy development, RFx execution, supplier evaluation, negotiations, contract implementation, and performance management.
• Execute RFIs, RFPs, RFQs, and competitive bidding events while ensuring sourcing initiatives meet business timelines and implementation goals.
• Negotiate complex global agreements covering commercial, legal, operational, service‑level, and performance terms.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with key suppliers and agency partners, fostering innovation, collaboration, and long‑term value.
• Lead supplier relationship management activities, including Quarterly Business Reviews, performance scorecards, innovation reviews, risk assessments, and continuous improvement programs.
• Interface with executive leadership and supplier executives to drive accountability for quality, service, innovation, sustainability, and financial performance.
• Optimize the global supply base through supplier rationalization, capability assessments, risk management, governance, compliance, and business continuity planning.
• Establish procurement governance, policies, reporting, analytics, and KPI frameworks while partnering with Finance, Legal, Marketing, and Operations to ensure alignment and compliance.
• Lead cross‑functional sourcing and transformation initiatives, influence stakeholders at all levels, champion change management and continuous improvement, and mentor procurement team members to foster a high‑performance culture.
• Perform other job‑related functions as assigned.

DEGREE TYPE:
Bachelor's Degree

FIELD(S) OF STUDY:
Supply Chain, Engineering, or Business

• Minimum 8 years of strategic sourcing, category management, supplier relationship management, contract negotiation, project management, business analysis, and change management experience.
• 5+ years of Marketing or related category experience. Cruise line and Duty‑Free knowledge a plus.

• Working knowledge of an automated logistics and purchasing system is required, preferably with MXP and SAP.
• Strategic thinking and understanding of supply markets and associated dynamics.
• Strong knowledge of strategic sourcing methodology with pragmatism to manage exceptions.
• Ability to develop category and sourcing strategies by identifying areas of opportunity.
• History of effectively directing and leveraging procurement spend by leading global cross‑functional teams.
• Experience managing and maintaining strong supplier relationships.
• Strong leadership presence and negotiation/contract management experience.
• Knowledg…