At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage procurement cycles for production services and equipment, driving strategic vendor relationships.
- Company: Join Publicis Groupe, a global leader in marketing and digital transformation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, comprehensive health benefits, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Hybrid work model with opportunities for global experiences and personal development.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a dynamic environment while developing your career in procurement.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in category management with strong negotiation and project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
Company description: Publicis Groupe is one of the largest advertising agency holding companies in the world and a global leader in the fields of marketing, communications, and digital transformation. A Connecting Company for the Connected Age, Publicis Groupe delivers winning solutions for clients through the Power of One - driven by a common purpose, a powerful spirit, shared behaviours, great character and a relentless focus on our clients.
Publicis Re:Sources is the backbone of Publicis Groupe. Re:Sources has grown to 5,000+ professionals servicing a network of prestigious agencies across the globe supporting 63+ markets. Re:Sources is Publicis Groupe's Shared Services Platform. We provide Publicis Groupe agencies with the business solutions, technology platforms and expertise they need to transform, innovate and increase productivity.
Overview: An opportunity has arisen for a Global Category Manager to join the Publicis Groupe Procurement team. The Procurement team is a board-mandated function providing holistic procurement business solutions to the companies within the Publicis Groupe. The department’s motto is to Protect, Enrich, Challenge and Reduce Publicis Groupe spend via best-in-class procurement processes and negotiations. The department manages full cycle, from sourcing to vendor and contract management. This role will be based in our London office. Please only apply if you have the right to work in UK.
The Senior Category Manager will be responsible for managing the full procurement cycle for Publicis own Production Studios spend products and services, focusing on either regional or global opportunities with occasional market specific projects focused on Publicis key markets. Previous experience with Content Production procurement (such as Video/Photo Production shooting and Postproduction equipment and software, infrastructures …) in association with the sales cycle is preferred. Additional exposure to implementation of complex solutions would be an added advantage.
The Senior Category Manager will work on the category and on the vendor management closely with and under the direction of the Global Procurement Director Production & Market Research responsible for category strategy formulation. The Category Manager will be expected to have the maturity to work independently with minimal supervision, be able to use advanced business acumen to work through business opportunities, design execution plans and make optimal recommendations for ratification and approval by the Global Procurement Director Production.
The Category Manager will use their knowledge and expertise to interact with very senior level stakeholders, gather and refine requirements, perform market analysis, draft RFX, execute go to market approach, negotiate contract and commercial positions and manage the vendors contract.
Responsibilities:
- Undertakes complex spend analysis, spots patterns, trends and opportunities and makes recommendations for new project or commercial and legal improvement opportunities to the Global Procurement Director – Production.
- Undertakes market research and consults stakeholders to understand technical and commercial aspects of a range of complex business needs.
- Works with various stakeholders to shape and articulate complex business needs and outcomes, whilst ensuring alignment of procurement plans to wider organisational strategic objectives.
- Prepares category and sourcing strategy for approval by CPO and/or Global Procurement Director Production; explores and assesses appropriate options and tailors actions accordingly.
- Prepares well-structured RFX documentation containing relevant information for complex requirements, including shaping qualitative criteria and pricing schedules and running fair, transparent and efficient competitive bidding processes.
- Oversees or directs the evaluation process for complex or politically sensitive procurements to ensure compliance with all policy requirements and to drive value for money outcome.
- Ability to draft contract terms from a standard template and negotiate contractual terms: ensures the application of principles of contract law in procurement and uses knowledge to provide influential advice to senior stakeholders.
- Engages with senior legal experts on complex contract law matters.
- Ability to write implementation plans, communications and create business plans.
- Advises on the development of the contract management strategy for complex requirements based on risk, the nature of the contract, and its importance to achieving agency and government objectives.
- Identifies and designs plans for the vendor management and ensures their execution, regularly meets and manages vendors, provides with strategic plans, opportunities and updates.
- Challenges and offers suggestions to improve procurement activities, where appropriate, including identifying opportunities for aggregation.
- Responsible for tracking savings and cost avoidance potential, dealing with financial planning and forecasting.
Qualifications:
- Minimum 5 years’ experience of category management and executing complex RFP processes.
- Developed project management skills: highly organised and able to prioritise tasks.
- Advanced negotiations skills.
- Business acumen: sound financial, legal and communication skills.
- Politically savvy: ability to build and maintain effective working relationships.
- Previous experience of working in a fast paced, dynamic and entrepreneurial procurement environment.
- A proven team player with excellent communication skills, analytical skills and attention to detail.
- Completely literate in English language and one other.
Additional information: We offer a hybrid working pattern of 3 days in the office and 2 days WFH. Our main office is located in the iconic Television Centre (TVC) at White City, London. We are a Disability Confident Employer and are committed to providing a fair assessment process and are happy to discuss and explore reasonable adjustments during the hiring process. Publicis Groupe UK fosters an inclusive environment through our inspirational Employee Action Groups (EAGs).
We have a comprehensive benefits offering. Our full health and lifestyle benefits package will be shared with you when you join us. In addition to key benefits like Pension, Life Assurance, Income Protection and Private Medical, some of our other benefits are:
- Annual Leave (25 days plus 8 bank holidays), increasing after 5 years, by 1 day per additional service up to 30 days.
- Birthday Day Off that can be used in your birthday month and the opportunity to Buy or Sell Holiday at the start of each year.
- Flexible Bank Holidays, you can switch the 2 Easter bank holidays for other days of your choosing.
- Reflection Days for time away from work to focus on what works best for you.
- Work your World, after completion of one year, you have the opportunity to work anywhere in the world, where there is a Publicis Groupe office, for up to 6 weeks a year.
- Help@Hand, our lifestyle and wellbeing app that supports you and your family; 24/7 Helpline, Remote GPs, Medical or 2nd Opinion, Mental Health & Wellbeing, Physiotherapy, 1-2-1 Lifestyle Coaching, Nutritional Consultations, Savings & Discounts and lots more.
- Inclusive Policies to support you and your family including enhanced Family Leave, Disability, Carers, Transitioning at Work, Flexible Working, Menopause.
- Local discounts, restaurants & retailers in Westfield White City.
- Onsite Café with complimentary breakfast, a subsidised lunch menu, and an in-house barista.
Procurement - Category Manager Equipment & Technology in London employer: Publicis Media
Publicis Media is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic work culture where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, we provide comprehensive benefits such as pension plans and private medical cover, ensuring our team members feel valued and supported. Located in a vibrant digital market, this role offers unique opportunities to make a significant impact on global brands while advancing your career in the fast-paced world of e-commerce analytics.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement - Category Manager Equipment & Technology in London
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Publicis Media.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement - Category Manager Equipment & Technology in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Publicis Media:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Publicis Media. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Publicis Media.
How to prepare for a job interview at Publicis Media
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Publicis Media!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Publicis Media. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Publicis Media's culture.
