Global Category Manager, Market Research - job 1 of 2

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

Publicis Re:Sources is the Groupe's Shared Services Platform, a centralised backbone supporting 63+ markets and servicing a network of prestigious agencies across the globe. We have grown to 5,000+ professionals operating 40+ shared service centres (SSCs). We provide business solutions, technology platforms and expertise to help Publicis Groupe agencies do what they do best: create and innovate for clients.

An opportunity has arisen for a Global Category Manager, Market Research to join the Publicis Groupe Procurement team. The Procurement team is a board-mandated function providing holistic procurement business solutions to the companies within 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 Senior 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 Market Research and Data Acquisition procurement (such Market Intelligence, Social Listening, Media Ratings…) 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 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

 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

Publicis Re:Sources UK operates a Hybrid Working pattern with full time employees being office-based 3 days during the working week; our office is located in the iconic Television Centre (TVC) at White City, London

Publicis Groupe UK is a Disability Confident Employer. We are are committed to providing a fair assessment process and are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments. If you require adjustments at any point in the process, please let us know and we will work with you to explore and implement these for you. Publicis Groupe UK fosters and inclusive environment through our inspirational Employee Action Groups (EAGs.

Publicis Re:Sources UK has comprehensive Benefits to offer. In addition to standard benefits of Pension, Life Assurance,  Income Protection and Private Medical, some of the perks are: 

• 25 days Annual Leave (plus bank holidays), increasing after 5 years, 1 day per additional service up to 30 days. A  Birthday Day Off that can be used in your birthday month and the opportunity to Buy or Sell Holiday at the start on each year.
• Flexible Bank Holiday; you can switch the 2 Easter bank holidays for another day of your choosing. We also have Reflection Days which can be used as time away from work to focus on what works best for you.
• Through 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 you family including enhanced Family Leave, Disability, Carers, Transitioning at Work, Flexible Working, Fertility, Menopause, Working with Cancer and Long Term conditions, and Sexual Harassment.
• Our TVC office offers local retail discounts including Soho Friends membership, local restaurants and retailers in Westfield White City and TVC. Our onsite café also has complimentary breakfast, a subsidised lunch menu and dare we say the most delicious and pocket friendly beverages and pastries.

Our full health and lifestyle benefits package will be shared when you join us!

We are proud to actively invest in your growth and development. 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. What are you waiting for - Join Us!

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