Procurement Category Manager Equipment & Technology

Publicis Groupe; City of London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global advertising agency is seeking a Global Category Manager based in London to manage procurement for production services. This role involves leading complex RFP processes, conducting market research, and working with senior stakeholders. Ideal candidates will have a minimum of five years in category management and strong negotiation skills. The position offers a hybrid working model with competitive benefits.

Benefits

Annual Leave (25 days plus 8 bank holidays)

Flexible Bank Holidays

Work your World opportunity after one year

Lifestyle and wellbeing support app (Help@Hand)

In-house café with complimentary breakfast

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in category management and executing complex RFP processes.
• Highly organized with developed project management skills.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships in dynamic environments.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full procurement cycle for Publicis Production Studios spend.
• Conduct market research and consult stakeholders to understand business needs.
• Prepare well-structured RFX documentation and oversee evaluation processes.

Skills

Category management experience

Advanced negotiation skills

Project management skills

English fluency

Analytical skills

Education

Degree level education or equivalent

Job description

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 Post‑production 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

Key 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

Required Skills/Experience

• 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.

Qualifications and Certifications

Educated to degree level or equivalent.

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 Of that can be used in your birthday month and the opportunity to Buyor Sell Holiday at the start on 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.