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- Tasks: Drive marketing procurement strategies for iconic brands like Guinness and Smirnoff.
- Company: Join Diageo, a global leader in beverage manufacturing with a diverse portfolio.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible work options, competitive pay, health insurance, and a contributory pension scheme.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of marketing procurement with innovative solutions.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement or related fields, strong negotiation skills, and a commercial mindset required.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at our core; we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
Category Specialist – Agile (Marketing Procurement)
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Category Specialist – Agile (Marketing Procurement)
2 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants
Join to apply for the Category Specialist – Agile (Marketing Procurement) role at Diageo
Join our Marketing Procurement Team
As the custodians of iconic brands such as Baileys, Guinness, Smirnoff, and Johnnie Walker, at Diageo, we source, produce and deliver 6.5 billion litres of world-leading products every year, across 180 markets globally. The commercial challenges here are large, diverse and endlessly fascinating. Never more so than in Procurement.
Job Description
Join our Marketing Procurement Team
As the custodians of iconic brands such as Baileys, Guinness, Smirnoff, and Johnnie Walker, at Diageo, we source, produce and deliver 6.5 billion litres of world-leading products every year, across 180 markets globally. The commercial challenges here are large, diverse and endlessly fascinating. Never more so than in Procurement.
As an organisation, we spend over $10 billion per year. And as the driving force in this expenditure, our Procurement teams make a far-reaching contribution to our business, productivity and growth goals – right across the globe. Premium quality and end-to-end, sustainable value are how we measure our success – across services, partnerships and products. We always want to be the best and, along with engaging the best talent to work with the best products, this is how we attempt to do it. Ultimately, this is about people as much as numbers. We build great relationships internally and externally – so we understand our needs and how to meet them. Every time.
Join us in Procurement and, if you’re driven, resilient and share our pioneering spirit, there’s a world of opportunity here for you.
Are you passionate about driving the future of our global marketing procurement categories? Do you have an interest in bringing new ideas and innovative solutions across marketing categories?
We are looking for an individual with a drive to be the best, a hard-working influencer, a negotiator with strong commercial edge and team player. An individual who can deliver exceptional, comprehensive and sustainable procurement strategies. It’s an exciting time in this space with lots of opportunity to shape the future.
About The Function
Global Procurement is accountable for the Procurement of Supply, Marketing and Indirect categories with an annual spend of circa $12bn. Procurement’s vision is to “Unlock the Power of our Ecosystems to win Sustainable Value”, with a broad set of value delivery across Cost, Cash, Carbon (ESG) and Consumer Impact.
Global Marketing Procurement delivers significant contribution towards Diageo business, productivity and growth goals. The function is structured to take advantage of our global scale through a model based on Globally led Category Procurement and Market led Procurement teams, where we operate a strong collaboration model and work together as One Procurement Community. This team plays a pivotal role in not only contributing to performance but also building and protecting Diageo’s reputation across our supply base.
The Role
In this agile role, you will be part of the category team that manages our A&P Development spend, covering Content, Creative Production, Research, Data & Insights and Agency Excellence. This role also provides the opportunity to get involved across various projects and programmes across the wider Marketing Procurement team.
You will drive outstanding end to end value across key marketing categories, through strong commercial leadership, effective business partnering and collaboration across Procurement CoEs. This role requires close collaboration with key partners across the business, to drive best practice, processes and ways of working as well as ensuring optimisation of A&P investment. You will support and collaborate on specific category enhancements projects and programmes that continue to drive our future success.
Main Responsibilities And Accountabilities
- Working on key programmes across the marketing categories you will help drive an optimised shape of Diageo’s Development A&P to maximise growth and performance by reducing areas of inefficient and ineffective spend, leveraging category investment insights, data and strategy. You will be collaborating with markets and global functions, applying strategic procurement excellence, through a category management approach, built on Diageo’s best practice, standards and tools, to deliver excellence value and benefits to the business.
- Review and evolve our marketing agency landscape (ecosystem) to ensure it\’s fit for purpose and meets ongoing business requirements. Leading or supporting sourcing, negotiations and agency selection activities for specific categories of spend.
- Develop subject-matter expertise for Agency Excellence and drive initiatives across the Global Marketing Procurement community, including rolling out best practice across roster management, agency relationship evaluations and joint business partnering.
- Drive Diageo’s Relationship Collaboration Programme across relevant categories and feed into Partner performance plans and reviews.
- Support and collaborate with Markets to deliver the implementation of the global strategy / strategies.
- Drive category excellence through execution of improve projects in line with the category’s strategic objectives, including leading key negotiations with partners.
- Adhere to and always promote the highest standards of compliance. This includes risk management processes, contract management and cost modelling / benchmarking.
- Generate insights and have good commercial foresight to objectively challenge established practice to stimulate alternative thinking and influence decision-making through industry and external benchmarks
- Collaborate and support in the delivery of Diageo’s Society 2030 ambition
- Work dynamically across categories, where required, to collaborate on wider procurement programmes / projects.
Experience / Skills Required
A dynamic individual with the ability to thrive in an agile and fast paced environment, able to prioritise according to business need. Who can build long lasting relationships that drive value and create high impact over the short, mid and long term.
- Experience in Procurement, Finance, FMCG Commercial or other relevant roles, with successful experience in negotiations, sourcing, relationship management and business partnering
- Skilled at building partnerships, both externally with our agencies and suppliers, and internally with our business partners / marketing team members.
- Possess strong commercial edge, to lead negotiations and understand the value drivers that can deliver strong outcomes.
- Independent thinker with strong leadership & communication skills, able to inspire internal marketing team members and external agency partners
- Proven performance in projects and driving strategic change. Applying industry knowledge and research to drive improvements and success in inspiring change initiatives to further business performance.
- Strong analytical and financial awareness including an understanding of financial goals and value drivers relevant to the business ambition.
- A clear strategic thinker, who can connect strategy to world class execution
- Proven track record of consistent performance and delivery
- Commercial competence, and strong knowledge of Best in Class Procurement practices and ways of working is also desirable for this role.
Working with Us
Flexibility is key to success in our business and many of our people work flexibly in many different ways, including part-time, compressed hours, flexible location. Please talk to us about what flexibility means to you and don’t let anything stop you from applying.
We believe the most diverse and inclusive culture makes for a better business and a better world. We know that for our business to thrive and for Diageo to realise its ambition, we depend on having diverse talent with a range of backgrounds, skills and capabilities in each of the countries in which we operate and to reflect our broad consumer base.
Join us and you can also expect a highly competitive and flexible rewards and benefits package including:
- Contemporary work life balance policies and wellbeing activities
- Contributory pension scheme
- Comprehensive health insurance
- Annual bonus
Our purpose is to celebrate life, every day, everywhere. And creating an inclusive culture, where everyone feels valued and listened to, is a crucial part of this. We believe the most inclusive and diverse culture makes for a better business and a better world. We know that for our business to thrive and for Diageo to realise its ambition, we depend on having diverse talent with a range of backgrounds, skills and capabilities in each of the countries in which we operate and to reflect our broad consumer base.
Feel inspired? Then this may be the opportunity for you.
Worker Type
Regular
Primary Location:
1HQ
Additional Locations :
Edinburgh Park, Madrid, St James Gate
Job Posting Start Date
2025-07-02
Seniority level
-
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
-
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
-
Job function
Marketing and Sales
-
Industries
Beverage Manufacturing
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Category Specialist – Agile (Marketing Procurement) employer: Diageo
Contact Detail:
Diageo Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Specialist – Agile (Marketing Procurement)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Diageo's iconic brands and their marketing strategies. Understanding the nuances of how they position products like Guinness and Smirnoff can give you an edge in discussions during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees in the procurement field, especially those who have worked at Diageo. They can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations for the Category Specialist role.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on the latest trends in marketing procurement and sustainability. Being able to discuss recent developments in these areas will demonstrate your commitment to driving value and innovation within the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to showcase your negotiation skills through real-life examples. Diageo values strong commercial leadership, so having specific instances where you've successfully negotiated or influenced outcomes will be beneficial.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Specialist – Agile (Marketing Procurement)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read through the job description carefully to grasp the key responsibilities and skills required for the Category Specialist – Agile role. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with these requirements.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, focus on your previous experience in procurement, marketing, or related fields. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to negotiate, manage relationships, and drive strategic change.
Showcase Your Skills: Emphasise your analytical and financial awareness, as well as your commercial edge. Mention any relevant tools or methodologies you are familiar with that can contribute to effective procurement strategies.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a personalised cover letter that not only outlines your qualifications but also expresses your passion for the role and the company. Mention Diageo's iconic brands and how you can contribute to their success in marketing procurement.
How to prepare for a job interview at Diageo
✨Understand the Role
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Category Specialist in Marketing Procurement. Familiarise yourself with Diageo's brands and their procurement strategies to demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
As a Category Specialist, strong negotiation skills are crucial. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully negotiated contracts or managed supplier relationships. Be ready to discuss your approach and the outcomes.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Thinking
Highlight your analytical skills by discussing how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. Be prepared to explain how you would apply these skills to optimise A&P investments at Diageo.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Collaboration is key in this role. Share examples of how you've worked effectively with cross-functional teams in the past. Show that you can build strong relationships both internally and externally to drive value.