Procurement Category Manager – Marketing

Marketing Category Manager

We are looking for an experienced Marketing Category Manager to lead strategic procurement for Marketing & Communications. This is a fixed‑term contract role.

• Develop and execute strategic category management to drive spend under management and value across marketing functions.
• Accountable for a comprehensive, multi‑year category strategy and procurement plan aligned to marketing goals and campaign cycles, market dynamics, and internal demand.
• Lead the creation and implementation of go‑to‑market, agency and sourcing strategies (including agency models, roster strategy, media buying approaches) with robust negotiation embedded in the category plan.
• Identify, assess and manage supplier and category risk including agency dependency, media transparency, IP ownership, usage rights, and regulatory compliance.
• Monitor market trends across marketing, media, digital and technology (AdTech, Mar Tech, AI) to continuously evolve category strategies and unlock competitive advantage.
• Lead a multi‑year cost efficiency and value optimisation programme, balancing cost control with creative excellence, brand impact and marketing ROI.
• Use insights, analytics and marketing performance metrics (ROI, ROAS, CPM, CPA, brand metrics) to create data‑driven sourcing strategies aligned to business and marketing goals.
• Ensure benefits tracking is robust, incorporating both financial savings and marketing effectiveness/value outcomes.
• Drive continuous improvement, supplier innovation and sustainability across marketing services, including responsible media buying and sustainable production practices.
• Negotiate high‑value, complex marketing and agency contracts, ensuring alignment with broader strategy.
• Ensure execution of sourcing strategies through Category Specialists and GBS, including agency engagements and marketing suppliers, to the required quality and timelines.
• Apply appropriate negotiation strategies to marketing sourcing, supporting teams in complex agency and media negotiations.
• Build strategic supplier partnerships with agencies and partners, driving performance and innovation.
• Provide strong leadership and influencing to partner with senior marketing stakeholders, aligning procurement approaches with brand vision, customer strategy and campaign priorities.
• Act as a subject‑matter expert for Marketing & Communications procurement, advising senior leaders on market trends, agency models and commercial strategies.
• Lead change across marketing procurement ways of working, embedding governance while enabling agility required in a fast‑paced campaign environment.
• Nurture collaboration with GBS partners, ensuring alignment to marketing category needs and integration into ways of working.
• Promote and adopt digital tools and analytics to drive insights, transparency and performance across marketing spend.

• Hybrid working: 1‑2 days remote.
• Healthcare, pension and potential bonus.
• 27 days annual leave, bank holidays and the option to purchase 5 additional days.
• Tax Saver Tickets, fitness centre access and a subsidised cafeteria.

• 7+ years’ experience in category management with strong exposure to Marketing & Communications procurement or close partnership with marketing teams.
• Proven ability to lead complex sourcing initiatives, including agency selection, media sourcing and multi‑market marketing engagements.
• Successful delivery of multi‑year category strategies aligned to marketing and business objectives.
• Strong commercial and negotiation expertise across agency contracts, media agreements and intellectual property considerations.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, partnering with senior marketing and brand teams in fast‑paced, creative environments.
• Highly analytical and strategic thinker with strong business acumen, able to drive innovation, manage risk and deliver measurable value aligned to company values and culture.

All offers of employment are subject to background checks, including right to work, reference checks, and for some roles criminal and financial checks.

If you require reasonable adjustments or have an accessibility request, please contact your talent acquisition specialist.

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