The Sr. Associate, Strategic Sourcing and Category Management (Marketing) is a member of a client dedicated procurement service delivery team responsible for assisting category managers (client or WNS) with Marketing category planning and strategy development, benchmarking, collecting market intelligence, managing stakeholders, and developing project pipelines. He or she will lead the client’s defined strategic sourcing execution process, including building cost models, designing and launching of RFIs/RFPs, evaluating bids, planning and executing negotiation strategies, and making award recommendations.
Additionally, this role is responsible for drafting and negotiating contracts and managing supplier relationships. A successful candidate will drive year-over-year savings while ensuring quality and service level requirements are met.
This role frequently interacts with senior members of the client’s organization, so he or she must have excellent communication skills and be comfortable leading and participating in discussions across levels and cultures.
In addition, he or she is also responsible for creating a positive work environment and fostering cross-functional and cross-regional collaboration.
Key Responsibilities
Job Duties
- Assist in the development of medium to long-term category strategies for a variety of Marketing sub-categories.
- Developing and executing sourcing strategies through the use of the client’s strategic sourcing process.
- Identifying cost savings through negotiations, event driven activities, and alternate sourcing strategies to achieve assigned cost saving goals.
- Leading commercial negotiations and drafting contracts.
- Supporting category managers in managing overall supplier relationships, including supplier performance, capability development, risk mitigation, cost savings, and quality improvements.
- If applicable, managing the team’s objective setting, performance, career growth, training, and competency development.
- Acting as the escalation point for the source to contract (S2C) team, communicating and resolving operational issues, and escalating to the Regional Delivery Lead or Category Manager as necessary
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Hands-on knowledge of Marketing sub-categories (including agency negotiations, media planning, advertising, point-of-sale materials, displays).
- Deep understanding of strategic sourcing methods and approaches and an ability to apply various concepts to category-level activities at the client.
- Ability to determine the appropriate procurement strategy for assigned categories and business requirements.
- Ability to draft simple to complex contractual agreements.
- Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to provide custom solutions to address the client’s challenges.
- Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects and initiatives simultaneously.
- Strong leadership skills, including ability to motivate and manage people.
- Proficiency using Microsoft Office tools such as Excel, Word and PowerPoint Required Education and Experience.
- Bachelor’s Degree.
- 5 – 7 years of work experience in contracts, negotiations, procurement, or sourcing· 3+ years of marketing procurement related experienceAdditional information.
- Prior experience in a BPO and customer service environment.
Business Fundamentals:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrated teamwork and team leadership capabilities.
- Strong customer service orientation including demonstrated issue resolution and relationship management skills.
- Ability to learn and master client specific processes, terminology, political environment, systems and unique requirements by various business groups.
- Solid decision-making ability using available facts in sensitive client situations.
- Contract negotiation and drafting.