Publicis Groupe is one of the largest advertising agency holding companies in the world as well as a global leader in the fields of marketing, communications, and digital transformation. We utilise the Power of One operating model to integrate and develop competencies that will create increasing business value for existing and future clients. 

Publicis Re:Sources is the backbone of Publicis Groupe. We are Publicis Groupe's Shared Services Platform. Formed in 1998, Re:Sources was created to streamline centralised functions of Publicis Groupe agencies. We have now grown to 5,000+ professionals operating 40 shared service centres (SSCs) and servicing a network of prestigious agencies across the globe supporting 63 markets. We provide technology solutions and business services including finance, accounting, information technology, global security, legal, payroll and benefits, procurement, tax, real estate, treasury and risk management to help Publicis Groupe agencies do what they do best: create and innovate for their clients.

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.

Position Summary:

The Category Manager will be responsible for managing the full procurement cycle of a range of Market Research 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/Audio visual Production procurement (such as Market Intelligence, Social Listening, Media Ratings etc.) in association with the sales cycle is preferred. Additional exposure to implementation of complex solutions would be an added advantage.

The  Category Manager will work on the category and on the vendor management closely with and under the direction of the Global Procurement Director Production 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 contracts.

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 and Certifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent

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

Publicis Groupe UK is a Disability Confident Employer. As part of our dedication to create an inclusive and diverse workforce, we are committed to equal access to opportunity for people without regard to race, age, sex, disability, neurodiversity, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities in our application process and are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments individuals may require in the recruitment process, or once in post.

As a Publicis Re:Sources employee, an array of benefits are offered. The learning opportunities are endless and you will be a part of a game-changing and world-class organisation that encourages outside-the-box thinking and empowerment to know that the world is your oyster when it comes to your career.