Head of Category Marketing - Senior Category Procurement Lead

As Senior Procurement Category Lead - Marketing, you will be responsible for developing and executing category strategies that optimise spend, unlock innovation and deliver measurable commercial value across a diverse portfolio of Marketing services.

Marketing is a strategically important area of spend that directly influences customer experience, brand reputation and commercial success.

You'll work closely with senior stakeholders across Marketing, Finance, Legal and Procurement, acting as a trusted commercial advisor and helping shape key business decisions through insightful procurement leadership.

In addition, you'll lead and develop a team of procurement professionals, fostering a high-performance culture focused on collaboration, continuous improvement and commercial excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and implement long-term category strategies across the Marketing portfolio.
• Build category plans aligned to wider business objectives and growth priorities.
• Identify opportunities to optimise costs, improve supplier performance and deliver innovation.
• Use market intelligence and industry insights to inform decision-making.
• Drive procurement best practice across all Marketing categories.

Strategic Sourcing & Commercial Delivery

• Lead complex sourcing programmes and competitive tender exercises.
• Negotiate high-value contracts and commercial agreements.
• Deliver measurable savings, cost avoidance and value creation opportunities.
• Develop sourcing strategies that balance commercial outcomes with quality and innovation.
• Ensure robust contract governance and commercial risk management.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Develop strategic relationships with key marketing agencies and service providers.
• Establish supplier performance frameworks and governance structures.
• Drive continuous improvement and innovation through supplier partnerships.
• Monitor supplier performance against agreed commercial and operational measures.
• Support supplier consolidation and optimisation initiatives where appropriate.

Stakeholder Management

• Partner with senior Marketing and business leaders to understand strategic priorities.
• Act as a trusted advisor on procurement and commercial matters.
• Influence stakeholders to achieve optimal commercial outcomes.
• Support major campaigns, transformation programmes and strategic initiatives.
• Present recommendations and business cases to senior leadership teams.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach and develop procurement professionals within the category team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Build procurement capability and succession plans.
• Share knowledge and best practice across the wider procurement function.
• Champion professional development and high performance.

What You'll Be Doing Day-to-Day

A successful Marketing Procurement leader will:

• Manage a diverse portfolio of marketing suppliers and agency partners.
• Lead contract renewals, sourcing events and commercial negotiations.
• Review market trends and identify opportunities for innovation and value creation.
• Collaborate with stakeholders on strategic marketing initiatives.
• Deliver savings and commercial benefits while maintaining quality and service excellence.
• Drive supplier performance and governance activities.
• Support procurement transformation and continuous improvement programmes.
• Develop category insights that support informed business decision-making.