An opportunity has arisen for a Global Category Manager, Business Systems & Professional Services, 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:
Our Category Managers are responsible for the overall strategy and sourcing activities for specific categories. These categories are usually defended as high dollar or high impact/critical categories. The Procurement Category Manager for Business Systems and Professional Services will be able to have a category management approach for Enterprise Systems, Finance, Payroll, Benefits, Insurance, and support for other corporate functions. The Category Manager will:
* Build and implement category approach for the next 3 years
* Be responsible for launching Request for proposal/quotation at the Group level for the related category
* Act as the Procurement lead for managing process internally and externally
* Be able to challenge specifications and provide best practices for supply chain and services related (maintenance)
* Implement and follow up enhanced Vendor Management Program for Strategic and Important vendors
This role will support the Global Products & Services Procurement Director to achieve best practices in procurement practices, change management and appropriate stakeholder management.
Key Responsibilities:
* Define and implement category roadmap including oversight of the business plan (short and medium term)
* Develop relationship with HR, Finance, and Legal stakeholders
* Ability to manage a full RFX (including RFPs, RFQs, RFIs) process from the definition of needs to the contract signature and to communicate with senior level stakeholders all along the process
* Ability to read, interpret, review, and redline contracts independently
* Ability to support other sub-categories under Professional Services and Strategic Projects
* Prepare Executive level communication to cover project status, market intelligence reports and strategic information including industry-wide best practices
* Build key vendor relationships
* Engage with Internal and External stakeholders to ensure project scope and timelines for implementation are achieved
* Responsible for tracking savings and cost avoidance, dealing with financial planning and forecasting
Required Skills/Experience:
* Minimum 10 years’ experience leading and/ or implementing complex and/ or large-scale Professional Services and Business Systems or related corporate services projects
* Keen eye for detail, sound financial knowledge, data analytical skills, communication and problem solving
* Understanding of contract law, preference for experiential knowledge of various types of contracts
* Programme management including prioritisation and change management skills
* Collaborative stakeholder engagement including developed communication skills adaptable to various levels including senior management
* Developed negotiation skills
* Customer focused – responds to queries in a confident, courteous, and positive manner
* Previous experience of working in a fast-paced procurement environment on multiple projects and in a matrix environment
* Willingness to travel frequently
Qualifications and Certifications:
* Educated to degree level or equivalent
Experienced at Strategic Sourcing