Procurement Category Manager

Overview

In this role you help shape a connected, commercially effective procurement ecosystem for Production and Talent across WPP’s markets. You’ll develop category plans, lead sourcing and negotiation, and guide supplier partnerships to drive value and transformation. You work with cross-functional teams to support the operating model evolution and scale supplier capabilities globally. This is an opportunity to influence procurement strategy at scale within a creative, collaborative environment.

Pay / Benefits

• hybrid work model (office ~4 days a week)
• opportunities to influence projects at scale
• creative problem solving and challenging work
• inclusive and collaborative culture
• career growth and learning opportunities
• diverse, global collaboration

Responsibilities

• Develop regional and country category plans leveraging insights and stakeholder needs
• Lead sourcing, RFP and negotiation across Production services and related sub-categories
• Partner with Production, agency and finance teams to provide commercial guidance
• Support development of supplier relationship management programmes
• Identify opportunities to enhance supplier partnerships and address capacity requirements
• Collaborate with the wider WPP Procurement team on transformation and continuous improvement initiatives

Key requirements

• Experience in procurement, sourcing, category management or supplier management
• Strong commercial, sourcing and negotiation skills within production, advertising, marketing services or similar complex service categories
• Experience developing category plans, supplier strategies or supplier partnership programmes
• Understanding of contracts, SOWs, pricing models and commercial agreements
• Experience in Production and/or Talent advantageous
• Ability to build relationships, influence stakeholders and collaborate across teams
• Experience managing multiple priorities, projects and supplier relationships
• Strong analytical skills using data and insights for decision-making
• Comfortable in cross-functional, matrixed or global environments

• Relationship-building
• Influence and collaboration across teams
• Cross-functional communication
• Procurement
• Sourcing
• Category management

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