Category Lead, Mktg MediA&Research

This is a Full Time Job

The Discovery Category Leader (DCL) for Marketing, Media, and Research leads category strategy development and associated initiatives for all Marketing, Media, Research subcategories for the company. He/she is a subject matter expert in marketing and media with prior experience in marketing, strategic media planning and media buying activities, and research who proactively partners with marketing, media, and research stakeholders (executive level and brand level) to develop category strategies and leads sourcing projects, specification definition and demand management, as well as managing supplier performance and innovation activities.

Marketing, Media, and Research represents $850M in third party spend and contributes to business success and revenue growth. The Category Leader-Marketing, Media and Research will report to the SVP and Chief Procurement Office for Discovery.

Responsibilities

1. Set category related objectives in alignment with the Marketing, Media, and Research business partners/stakeholders

2. Responsible for the development and execution of projects based on the Category Strategies and business activities to feed into the Annual Category Plan

3. Accountable for the delivery of category savings targets through collaboration and engagement with business stakeholders

4. Responsible for Executive level engagement within Discovery and at supplier levels

5. Accountable for the implementation of consistent qualitative and quantitative targets and KPIs for the category

6. Maintain a strong external focus to inform negotiations and Procurement strategy by leveraging industry peers and professional organizations and regular industry benchmarking, assessing best practices, innovation and being involved in industry marketing, media, and research forums

7. Accountable and responsible for the overall relationship with the strategic suppliers and the specialized suppliers in the category with a high ‘problem solving’ attitude

8. Conducts education sessions for stakeholders on Marketing, Media, and Research topics

9. Regularly conducts 3rd party performance, financial and payment terms audits

10. Negotiates multi-year and annual scope of work agreements

11. Responsible for input into the category supplier segmentation and agreeing actions to improve supplier performance and value contribution as needed based on the Discover Supplier Performance and Innovation (SP&I) framework

Requirements

* 10 years of experience. Extensive understanding of marketing, media planning and buying, and research experience in Procurement, category and demand management, as well as negotiating
* Category experience on an international scale is beneficial
* Work experience in an advertising, media, or research agency is beneficial
* Focus on teamwork and cross functional collaboration
* High level of organization skills and attention to detail
* Strong computer skills including proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
* Strong communication skills to interact within all levels of the company, in a concise and clear manner
* Ability to function effectively in a matrixed organization
* Understanding of the supplier landscape across major categories of spend; industry and/or professional relationships with vendors in these categories a plus
* Demonstrated contract and agreement negotiation experience, including development of negotiating strategies
* Excellent written, oral and presentation skills and an ability to synthesize complex and technical information into concise and clear recommendation
* Willingness to bring thought leadership, a creative mindset, and a fresh perspective on new ways to approach existing problems
* Undergraduate degree required; Master’s preferred
* Professional accreditation in sourcing / procurement a plus

* Must have the legal right to work in the United States

New York City, New York, NYC, NY