Senior Manager, Marketing Category Management; Procurement Hybrid

Position Overview

Lead a team of procurement and vendor management professionals responsible for developing and executing full lifecycle procurement strategies focused on optimizing value, risk, and performance across the Marketing vendor ecosystem. Reporting to the Procurement Director, you will manage significant Marketing spend across a complex supplier ecosystem, coach the marketing procurement team to build and execute robust category strategies, sourcing pipelines, negotiation playbooks, contract management, and vendor management best practices.

You will develop stakeholder relationships at all levels of the organization and lead and influence cross‑functionally to drive business alignment.

Position Compensation Range: $ – $ per year (Salary). Relocation support is offered for eligible candidates.

Benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and wellbeing benefits, a competitive 401(k) contribution, pension plan, annual incentive, 9 paid holidays, and paid time off program (23 days accrued annually for full‑time employees). Additionally, a student loan repayment program and paid family leave are available. Interns and contingent workers are not eligible for American Family Insurance Group benefits.

Lead, coach, and develop a high‑performing team of sourcing and vendor management professionals.

Foster a collaborative, performance‑driven environment built on trust, transparency, and accountability. Set clear goals, provide ongoing feedback, conduct performance evaluations, and support professional development. Promote engagement and continuous improvement as the team strengthens our procurement capabilities.

Lead development of enterprise Marketing category strategies aligned with our roadmaps and financial goals.

Oversee the full sourcing lifecycle, including market analysis, RFX execution, supplier evaluation, negotiation strategy, and contract execution. Build structured sourcing pipelines, negotiation guides, and sourcing best practices across the Marketing procurement team. Identify opportunities for cost optimization, supplier consolidation, and improved commercial models across the vendor portfolio.

Establish governance frameworks to manage supplier performance, contract compliance, and service delivery across strategic vendors.

Lead supplier relationship management and performance reviews with important partners. Ensure contract management practices and agreement on commercial, legal, and operational requirements. Monitor supplier risk and performance, reporting progress, vendor performance, and market trends to senior leadership.

Develop strong partnerships with marketing and business leaders to support strategic initiatives and enterprise programs. Promote category management, strategic sourcing, and vendor management practices that enhance value and mitigate risk.

Use data analysis and performance metrics to communicate insights, influence strategy, and support decision‑making. Align team resources and sourcing priorities to support key business initiatives and operational goals.

• Demonstrated experience providing customer‑driven solutions, support or service.
• Solid communication and influencing skills across varying leadership levels.
• Demonstrated experience driving business results.
• Demonstrated experience in creating meaningful data analysis and metrics to support business needs.
• Demonstrated problem‑solving skills related to complex vendor matters.
• Extensive knowledge of vendor contracts and commercial/legal terms and conditions.

• Significant experience leading sourcing initiatives within large enterprise organizations managing substantial technology spend.
• Experience working within large, highly matrixed organizations with extensive supplier portfolios.
• Deep knowledge of procurement processes including category strategy development, RFX execution, supplier evaluation, contract negotiation, and vendor governance.
• Experience sourcing and…