At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead high-value sourcing and negotiations in the Marketing category.
- Company: Join Visa, a global leader in payments technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to collaborate globally and innovate with AI.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on marketing strategies across Europe with a leading tech company.
- Qualifications: Experience in Marketing Procurement and strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 56250 - 68750 £ per year.
About Us
Visa is a world leader in payments technology, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories, dedicated to uplifting everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid. At Visa, you'll have the opportunity to create impact at scale — tackling meaningful challenges, growing your skills and seeing your contributions impact lives around the world. Join Visa and do work that matters – to you, to your community, and to the world. Progress starts with you.
Job Description
Overview: Visa Europe Sourcing has an opportunity for an experienced and commercially minded Senior Sourcing Manager, specialising in the Marketing Category, to join our team. This is a senior category role focused on partnering with Marketing stakeholders and leading complex, high-value sourcing activity across a range of Marketing categories. You will work with strategic suppliers and agency partners, lead significant commercial negotiations and help shape sourcing strategies that deliver value for Visa across Europe. We are looking for someone who combines strong Marketing Procurement expertise with commercial judgement, confident stakeholder management and the ability to navigate a large, matrixed organisation.
Role Summary: Reporting to the Director, Marketing Sourcing, you will lead a significant Marketing category or portfolio of categories, with flexibility to align category ownership to the experience and strengths of the successful candidate. You will take end-to-end ownership of strategic and tactical sourcing activity, including complex, high-value Marketing contracts and negotiations, supplier and agency relationships, and category strategy. The role has a European scope, supporting requirements across multiple markets and working across regional boundaries, with opportunities to collaborate with Global and other regional Sourcing teams as required.
What you'll do:
- Lead sourcing and category management across a significant Marketing category or portfolio of categories.
- Lead complex, high-value commercial negotiations and sourcing processes, managing significant levels of spend.
- Develop and execute category strategies that align with Marketing priorities and Visa's wider business objectives.
- Act as a strategic Sourcing Business Partner to Marketing stakeholders, building strong relationships and providing commercial challenge and guidance.
- Lead and manage relationships and commercial negotiations with major strategic suppliers and agency partners.
- Lead end-to-end sourcing processes, including supplier selection, negotiation, contracting and ongoing supplier management.
- Identify opportunities to deliver commercial value, efficiencies and improvements across the Marketing supply base.
- Use data, market knowledge and commercial insight to inform sourcing decisions and category strategies.
- Work effectively across a complex, matrixed organisation, influencing senior stakeholders and collaborating across functions and geographies.
- Incorporate responsible sourcing, risk management and effective governance into category activities.
- Support continuous improvement and the adoption of digital tools, analytics and emerging technologies within Sourcing, including the use of AI to improve delivery efficiency and ways of working.
This is a hybrid role, with 3 days per week in the office.
Qualifications
What we're looking for:
- Strong experience in Marketing Procurement, Marketing Sourcing or Marketing Category Management, with broad exposure across multiple Marketing subcategories.
- Ability to manage a high volume of competing priorities, demonstrating resilience and sound judgement in prioritising effectively in a fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrable experience leading significant, complex and high-value sourcing activities and commercial negotiations.
- Experience managing substantial Marketing spend and commercial relationships with large strategic suppliers and/or agency partners.
- Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to understand complex contracts, challenge proposals and negotiate effectively.
- Experience developing and implementing category and sourcing strategies.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with experience partnering with senior stakeholders.
- Experience operating successfully within a large and/or matrixed organisation.
- Ability to work effectively across teams and geographies and adapt to changing business priorities.
- Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills.
- Confidence using AI and digital tools, or a strong curiosity and willingness to explore how emerging technologies can improve efficiency and ways of working.
Visa is an EEO Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Visa will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with EEOC guidelines and applicable local law.
Summary
Location: GB - London, United Kingdom
Type: Full time
Senior Sourcing Manager, Marketing Category employer: Visa
Visa is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic work culture, encouraging innovation and collaboration among its employees. With a strong focus on professional development, Visa offers numerous growth opportunities and the chance to work on cutting-edge financial technologies in a global environment. Located in a vibrant area, employees benefit from a supportive atmosphere that values diversity and inclusion, making it a rewarding place to build a meaningful career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Sourcing Manager, Marketing Category
✨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 Visa.
✨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 Senior Sourcing Manager, Marketing Category
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 Visa:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Visa. 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 Visa.
How to prepare for a job interview at Visa
✨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 Visa!
✨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 Visa. 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 Visa's culture.
