Sourcing Manager, Marketing (Advertising & Digital)

Strategic Sourcing organisation is seeking a dynamic professional to join our growing Sourcing organisation for our Marketing Sourcing category. You will be accountable for the overall relationship with global suppliers, with a key focus on defining and implementing optimal cost structures and contracting frameworks that enable our enterprise to deliver exceptional services. Success in this position will require a proactive professional with strong analytical and negotiating skills, and a mix of strategic and tactical thinking. This is a critical role within a high-visibility, dynamic, high-performing team based in our COE in Dublin or Limerick.

• Negotiating commercial terms, including establishing new relationships with suppliers and service providers.
• Providing insight, strategies and tactics to attain the optimum line cost and best-in-class service across the portfolio of sub-categories and suppliers.
• Identify contract improvements, simplifications and optimization opportunities to drive better outcomes, including contracting frameworks.
• Formulating pricing recommendations designed to preserve/improve efficiency and service excellence. This may require financial analysis and/or business case development of alternative scenarios and recommendations to management, including creating concise decks/presentations for review with senior management.
• Relationship management, including resolving commercial issues which will require partnership with technical and finance organisations, including driving projects to completion.
• Leads various Cross Functional Teams (CFTs) to develop requirements and to reach consensus on commercial approach. This includes drafting necessary language to translate business needs into specific requirements for contract-related documents, e.g. Statements of Work (SOW), Letters of Authorization (LOAs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), as applicable. This also includes leading the CFT to reach consensus, meet milestones and complete contracting by business partner required date.
• Earns the business stakeholder’s respect and serves as a Trusted Advisor. Plans and proposes sourcing strategies that best support the business.
• Collaborates closely with key business stakeholders to understand their priorities and challenges, assess their needs on an ongoing basis, and manage their expectations.
• Represent at industry forums, associations and events.
• Performing contract performance and administration, including contract spend, renewal and termination, ensuring close engagement with legal counsel, regulatory affairs, tax and commercial finance to create and amend contracts consistent with business principles.
• Preparation of deal memos and compliance documentation to ensure the smooth approval and execution of new contracts and amendments.
• Participation in, and development of materials for, Operational Reviews with senior executives in the business.
• Some travel may be required to support relationship management with suppliers.
• Support of other Sourcing related initiatives as required.

You’ll need to have:

• Bachelor's degree
• Experience in Sourcing & Procurement in Marketing category (focus on Advertising, Digital Marketing and Research) with emphasis on negotiations, analysis and relationship management.
• Notable relevant and direct work experience in industry, including Marketing Agency or Ad Agency, or large Digital media vendors (such as Amazon, Meta, Google).
• Strong business acumen.
• Strong analytical, verbal and written communication skills.

Even better if you have:

• Master’s degree, or equivalent advanced degree.
• Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) or Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) from the Institute of Supply Chain Management.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) from the Project Management Institute.
• Relevant work experience working in a large cross-functional culture.
• Comfort in working up and across the organisation – working with senior staff members and front line employees.
• Demonstrated competency in strategic thinking that results in new ideas that drive the business forward.
• Proven ability to influence decision makers.
• Demonstrated ability to multitask and be detail oriented with respect to ensuring deadlines are met.
• Proven record of performance and trusted professional credibility.
• Track record of handling extremely confidential information appropriately.