Category Marketing Manager in Hampshire, Portsmouth

Who are we?

Howden is a collective – a group of talented and passionate people all around the world. Together, we have pushed the boundaries of insurance. We are united by a shared passion and no-limits mind-set, and our strength lies in our ability to collaborate as a powerful international team comprised of 22,000 employees spanning over 100 countries. Our people are our biggest asset as well as our largest shareholder group and are everything that makes us unique; our inclusive culture, the quality service we offer our clients, and our continued growth, all come from our people-first approach.

Why work at Howden?

We have always been employee-owned and driven by entrepreneurial spirit. Right from the beginning, we’ve focused on employing talented individuals and empowering them to make a real difference to the company, whilst building successful and fulfilling careers at the same time. People join Howden for many different reasons, but they stay for the same one: our culture. It’s what sets us apart, and the reason our employees have been turning down disappointed head-hunters for years.

What is the role?

You will be responsible for leading the procurement strategy and execution for the Marketing and Communications category, including media, creative, merchandising, production, digital, PR, events, and sponsorships. The role will define and manage category priorities, drive value creation and ensure alignment with business objectives. Working closely with Marketing and Communications (Marcomm) and Corporate Affairs stakeholders and the Head of Procurement, the role will deliver strategic sourcing initiatives, optimise supplier relationships, and support innovation and brand growth through effective procurement practices.

What will you be doing?

• Developing and implementing the Marcomm category strategy in alignment with long-term procurement goals.
• Leading procurement activities across the Marcomm category, which includes media buying, creative agencies, merchandising, production services, digital platforms, and event services.
• Identifying opportunities to leverage group frameworks and drive commercial value across the category.
• Building strong relationships with senior Marcomm stakeholders, agencies, and suppliers to support brand and campaign objectives.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the business, partnering on Marcomm procurement related matters for the organisation.
• Delivering cost optimisation, innovation, and continuous improvement across the Marcomm spend portfolio.
• Providing market intelligence and category insights to inform stakeholder decision-making.
• Leading end-to-end sourcing activities including RFx development, supplier evaluation, and contract negotiation.
• Enabling tracking and measurement of supply base costs, performance metrics, aligned to agreed KPIs.
• Champion sustainability, diversity, and ethical sourcing within the Marcomm supply base.
• Providing day-to-day leadership for Procurement Specialists supporting the category.

What are we looking for?

• Deep understanding of Marketing (and associated Communications / PR / Corporate Affairs) procurement, particularly in a B2B environment.
• Strong commercial acumen and analytical skills.
• Proven negotiation and contract management experience with agencies and marketing suppliers.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing capabilities.
• Experience using Source to Pay and procurement analytics tools.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, BI).
• University degree in Business, Procurement, Supply Chain or related field.
• 6+ years’ experience in Marketing / Communications / Corporate Affairs category management.
• Demonstrated success in delivering value and strategic initiatives in a Marketing context.
• Strong knowledge of leading practice procurement processes and agency management.
• Ability to build relationships and influence at senior levels across Marketing and Procurement.
• Leadership experience and ability to manage and develop team members.

What do we offer in return?

A career that you define. Our business succeeds by allowing our people to make a mark in the areas they care about most: personal development, volunteering, and fundraising for charity, or creating new insurance products that address society’s greatest challenges. And we know that separate home and work lives don’t really exist. If you’re happy and healthy at home, you’re more likely to be happy and fulfilled at work – and vice versa. That’s why we do our best to support our people in every aspect of their lives.

Diversity and Inclusion

At Howden we value diversity - there is no one Howden ‘personality type’. Instead, we’re looking for individuals who share the same values as us:

• Our successes have all come from someone brave enough to try something new.
• We support each other, in the small everyday moments and the bigger challenges.
• We are determined to make a positive difference, at work and beyond.
• We consider our people our chief competitive advantage and as such we treat colleagues, candidates, clients, and business partners with equality, fairness, and respect.

Our sustainability promise

We’re on a life-long journey to become an ever-more sustainable group. It’s a commitment to taking care of our people and the world we live in, to doing good business, and to making a positive impact wherever we can.