Senior Director, Strategic Sourcing - Marketing - job 11 of 24

The Senior Director, Strategic Sourcing at Visa is responsible for leading sourcing strategies for various marketing categories, including media planning, digital marketing services, and events management. This role involves managing agency relationships, optimizing spending, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to align sourcing strategies with business requirements.

Visa seeks candidates with extensive experience in marketing procurement, strong leadership skills, and a proven track record of delivering cost savings. An understanding of category management, negotiation expertise, and the ability to manage supplier relationships are also crucial qualifications for this role.

The Senior Director, Strategic Sourcing collaborates closely with teams across various departments including marketing, finance, and legal to align sourcing strategies with overall business objectives, ensuring a seamless execution of marketing initiatives while addressing compliance and risk management.

Effective negotiation skills for a Senior Director, Strategic Sourcing at Visa include the ability to navigate complex environments, articulate value propositions, and achieve favorable terms for partnerships and vendor agreements, all while ensuring alignment with the company's strategic goals.

At Visa, the Senior Director, Strategic Sourcing is encouraged to foster a culture of continuous improvement and thought leadership. This includes mentoring team members, sharing best practices, and enhancing professional skills through tailored training programs and resources aimed at career growth.

When discussing sourcing strategies, emphasize your ability to analyze market trends and spend data. It’s important to showcase a balanced strategy that considers cost optimization while maintaining quality and innovation. Mention specific tactics such as developing long-term vendor partnerships or exploring alternative supply options.

Address conflicts with a focus on problem-solving; emphasize clear communication and transparency throughout the resolution process. It’s beneficial to highlight your ability to mediate effectively and establish guidelines that address both agency and organizational interests.

When answering, describe a specific situation, focusing on the challenges you faced and the strategies you used. Highlight the outcomes, such as cost savings or enhanced service delivery, while emphasizing your negotiation skills and relationship management throughout the process.

Risk management is crucial; it involves identifying potential risks in the supply chain and creating strategies to mitigate those risks. Describe how you would conduct risk assessments or develop contingency plans to ensure business continuity and compliance with regulatory standards.

Success can be defined by measurable outcomes such as cost savings, improved vendor performance, and strengthened internal relationships. Discuss the importance of alignment with business objectives and the continuous evolution of sourcing strategies to adapt to market changes.

Discuss trends such as digital transformation, sustainability practices, and the growing importance of data analytics in procurement decisions. Mention how staying ahead of these trends can lead to more informed sourcing strategies, enhancing efficiency and ROI.

Share your preferred method of prioritizing by using frameworks such as the Eisenhower Matrix or setting clear deadlines based on stakeholder needs. Emphasize the necessity of balancing strategic priorities with urgent tasks and how communication plays a key role in keeping projects on track.

Mention specific procurement software or tools you have experience with, like e-sourcing platforms or spend analysis tools. Discuss how these technologies enhance transparency, streamline processes, and facilitate better decision-making, thereby supporting your leadership strategies.

Emphasize the importance of fostering a supportive learning environment through regular training, constructive feedback, and shadowing opportunities. Mention your commitment to developing your team's skills and promoting a culture of innovation and improvement.

Discuss potential challenges such as fluctuating market conditions or vendor reliability. Address how proactive analysis, trend monitoring, and strong relationships with agencies can help mitigate these challenges, ensuring successful sourcing outcomes.