Head of Category Marketing - Senior Category Procurement Lead

Head of Category Marketing Procurement - Senior Procurement Category Lead - Marketing

Leeds - Hybrid

Client Details

A large corporate organisation looking to grow their procurement division

Description

As Senior Procurement Category Lead - Marketing, you will be responsible for developing and executing category strategies that optimise spend, unlock innovation and deliver measurable commercial value across a diverse portfolio of Marketing services.

Marketing is a strategically important area of spend that directly influences customer experience, brand reputation and commercial success.

You'll work closely with senior stakeholders across Marketing, Finance, Legal and Procurement, acting as a trusted commercial advisor and helping shape key business decisions through insightful procurement leadership.

In addition, you'll lead and develop a team of procurement professionals, fostering a high-performance culture focused on collaboration, continuous improvement and commercial excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and implement long-term category strategies across the Marketing portfolio.
• Build category plans aligned to wider business objectives and growth priorities.
• Identify opportunities to optimise costs, improve supplier performance and deliver innovation.
• Use market intelligence and industry insights to inform decision-making.
• Drive procurement best practice across all Marketing categories.

Strategic Sourcing & Commercial Delivery

• Lead complex sourcing programmes and competitive tender exercises.
• Negotiate high-value contracts and commercial agreements.
• Deliver measurable savings, cost avoidance and value creation opportunities.
• Develop sourcing strategies that balance commercial outcomes with quality and innovation.
• Ensure robust contract governance and commercial risk management.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Develop strategic relationships with key marketing agencies and service providers.
• Establish supplier performance frameworks and governance structures.
• Drive continuous improvement and innovation through supplier partnerships.
• Monitor supplier performance against agreed commercial and operational measures.
• Support supplier consolidation and optimisation initiatives where appropriate.

Stakeholder Management

• Partner with senior Marketing and business leaders to understand strategic priorities.
• Act as a trusted advisor on procurement and commercial matters.
• Influence stakeholders to achieve optimal commercial outcomes.
• Support major campaigns, transformation programmes and strategic initiatives.
• Present recommendations and business cases to senior leadership teams.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach and develop procurement professionals within the category team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Build procurement capability and succession plans.
• Share knowledge and best practice across the wider procurement function.
• Champion professional development and high performance.

What You'll Be Doing Day-to-Day

A successful Marketing Procurement leader will:

• Manage a diverse portfolio of marketing suppliers and agency partners.
• Lead contract renewals, sourcing events and commercial negotiations.
• Review market trends and identify opportunities for innovation and value creation.
• Collaborate with stakeholders on strategic marketing initiatives.
• Deliver savings and commercial benefits while maintaining quality and service excellence.
• Drive supplier performance and governance activities.
• Support procurement transformation and continuous improvement programmes.
• Develop category insights that support informed business decision-making.

Profile

We're looking for a lead procurement professional who combines strong commercial capability with strong Marketing category experience and exceptional stakeholder management skills.

Essential Experience

• Significant experience within Marketing Procurement.
• Expertise across multiple Marketing categories such as Media, Creative Agencies, Production, Print, MarTech, Data or Marketing Services.
• Proven experience developing and executing category strategies.
• Strong track record of delivering commercial value and cost optimisation.
• Experience leading complex sourcing and supplier management initiatives.
• Excellent negotiation and contract management skills.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing capability.
• Experience operating within large, complex organisations.
• Leadership experience, including coaching and developing procurement teams.

Desirable Experience

• Experience managing substantial Marketing spend portfolios.
• Exposure to digital transformation and Marketing technology procurement.
• Knowledge of data, analytics and customer insight services.
• Experience working within retail, FMCG, consumer or customer-focused environments.
• CIPS qualification or equivalent professional accreditation.

Job Offer

This is an exciting opportunity to lead one of the organisation's most strategic procurement categories and influence decisions that directly impact brand performance and commercial success.

You'll have the opportunity to:

• Lead a significant Marketing procurement portfolio.
• Partner with senior business and Marketing leaders.
• Influence strategic investment and supplier decisions.
• Drive innovation and transformation across the category.
• Lead and develop a high-performing procurement team.
• Play a key role in the future evolution of Procurement.
• Deliver meaningful commercial and business impact.

Rewards & Benefits

• Competitive Salary
• Annual Performance Bonus
• Car Allowance
• Generous Pension Scheme
• Private Healthcare
• Hybrid & Flexible Working
• Enhanced Holiday Allowance
• Employee Wellbeing Programmes
• Professional Development Support
• Career Progression Opportunities
• Inclusive and Collaborative Culture

Apply Now

If you're an experienced Marketing Procurement Manager, Procurement Lead, Category Lead, Strategic Sourcing Manager or Head of Marketing Procurement looking for your next leadership challenge, we'd love to hear from you.

Join an organisation where Procurement is a strategic business partner, innovation is encouraged, and your expertise can genuinely influence commercial performance, customer outcomes and long-term growth.

If you're ready to lead one of the most significant Marketing Procurement portfolios, we'd love to hear from you.