Global Category Leader/ Responsable Catégorie Achats – Media Planning & Buying Services

Overview

In this Global Category Leader role, you will define and execute global and regional procurement strategies for Media Services, shaping a scalable agency ecosystem and ensuring affiliate adoption. You will partner with Brand Teams and cross-functional leaders to balance global consistency with local relevance, driving value and innovation across markets. This position offers impact through strategic sourcing, supplier governance, and agile deployment across North America and beyond. You will help build a data-driven, compliant procurement function aligned with Ipsen’s growth and patient-first mission.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end Category Management for Media Planning & Buying Services, including strategy, sourcing, supplier performance, governance, and value delivery globally and regionally
• Define global/regional sourcing strategies for Media Strategy, Planning, Buying, Digital Media, Content and Publishing in collaboration with Brand Teams and leadership
• Determine optimal global vs. regional strategy balance to support brand ambition and market needs
• Ensure scalable, affiliate-impactful strategies with local relevancy and launch-readiness
• Lead strategic sourcing and negotiations for major engagements (>300k) including global framework agreements and pricing models
• Design and improve the supplier ecosystem, including SOW structures and commercial frameworks to enable innovation and consistency
• Deploy global/regional frameworks across affiliates and monitor value across regions (NA, EMEA, JAPAC, LATAM)
• Coordinate with procurement community through updates, best practices, and structured communication to support execution
• Define and lead SRM and ecosystem strategy with clear performance management and continuous improvement
• Align category strategies with SSC execution models and deploy standard playbooks and templates
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, governance, and ESG commitments, and manage contracts and performance
• Escalate supplier issues and risks, ensuring continuity of service

Key requirements

• 8–10+ years in Procurement with substantial Media & Communications experience
• Experience in global category leadership and working in pharmaceutical or tightly regulated environments
• Deep knowledge of agency models, strategic sourcing, and supplier management
• Strong understanding of pharma commercial models (launches, compliance) and consumer healthcare dynamics
• Experience partnering with senior stakeholders in a global, matrix organization
• Bachelor’s degree; MBA or advanced degree preferred
• Fluent in English; French language is a plus
• Knowledge of ESG and sustainability principles in procurement

• Strategic thinking and commercial acumen
• Influence and stakeholder management
• Collaboration and matrix leadership
• Agency models
• Strategic sourcing
• Supplier management

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