Global Procurement Category Manager, Business Systems & Professional Services

Publicis Groupe is one of the largest advertising agency holding companies in the world and a global leader in the fields of marketing, communications, and digital transformation. A Connecting Company for the Connected Age, Publicis Groupe delivers winning solutions for clients through the Power of One - driven by a common purpose, a powerful spirit, shared behaviours, great character and a relentless focus on our clients. Publicis Re:Sources is the backbone of Publicis Groupe, bringing to life the Power of One offering. We are Publicis Groupe's Shared Services Platform, and have grown to 5,000+ professionals supporting 63+ markets and servicing a network of prestigious agencies across the globe. We provide Publicis Groupe agencies with the business solutions, technology platforms and expertise they need to transform, innovate and increase productivity.

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

We offer a hybrid working pattern of 3 days in the office and 2 days WFH. Our main office is located in the iconic Television Centre (TVC) at White City, London. 

We are a Disability Confident Employer and are committed to providing a fair assessment process and are happy to discuss and explore reasonable adjustments during the hiring process. Publicis Groupe UK fosters and inclusive environment through our inspirational Employee Action Groups (EAGs).

We have a comprehensive benefits offering. Our full health and lifestyle benefits package will be shared with you, when you join us. In addition to key benefits like Pension, Life Assurance,  Income Protection and Private Medical, some of our other benefits are:

• Annual Leave (25 days plus 8 bank holidays), increasing after 5 years, by 1 day per additional service up to 30 days. 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 Holidays, you can switch the 2 Easter bank holidays for other days of your choosing. Reflection Days for time away from work to focus on what works best for you. 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 your family including enhanced Family Leave, Disability, Carers, Transitioning at Work, Flexible Working, Menopause.
• Local discounts, restaurants & retailers in Westfield White City. Onsite Café with complimentary breakfast, a subsidised lunch menu, and an in-house barista.