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.

• 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:
  Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related field.
• 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.
• Knowledge of cruise line and duty‑free markets is a plus.
• Proficiency with automated logistics and purchasing systems preferred, preferably MXP and SAP.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and contract management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, and organizational abilities.
• Experience managing and maintaining strong supplier relationships.
• Knowledge of best‑practice procurement processes, tools, and spend systems data and analysis.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Procure‑to‑Pay systems (e.g., Coupa, Oracle).

• 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.
• Strong leadership presence and negotiation/contract management experience.
• Knowledge and experience with best‑practice processes, tools, and procurement/spend systems data and analysis.
• Str…