Category Manager - Marketing

levers that deliver improved value such as lower cost, reduced risk, increased flexibility, and improved business outcomes for IBM's clients.

• Builds deep relationships with cross-functional client stakeholders by providing compelling category insights & strategies, aligning and delivering results against commercial plans, and providing consistent professional communication & issue resolution.

• Plays an active role in supplier / agency relationship management (SRM) through leading or participating in key meetings, documenting mutual feedback and action items, ensuring right stakeholder engagement and through senior interactions with agencies where needed.

• Identifies cost savings opportunities across the client's Marketing spend.

• Acts as a trusted advisor and SME in the areas of sourcing and negotiating contracts for Marketing and other Indirect categories.

• Achieves cost savings, risk mitigation, and process efficiencies through various value levers.

• Leads supplier selection process across multiple simultaneous projects within the category.

• Leads negotiations with current and potential suppliers as part of the contract renewal or vendor selection process.

• Collects and analyzes internal/external category data, metrics, and reports to track performance against targets and identify new sourcing opportunities or category insights.

• Innovates within the procurement space; looking at new ways to structure programs or categories, benefit from changes in supply market, or modify tools/processes to add value.

• Provides support throughout the sourcing and contracting process when necessary, ensuring seamless handoff to our clients when appropriate.

Required Technical and Professional Expertise

• A minimum of 7 years of strategic sourcing and category management experience
• 4+ years sourcing Marketing categories in areas such as: Creative & Advertising, Production, Digital, Media, Branding, Promotional Items, Market Research, and Events
• Strong communication skills with proven ability to analyze data & present findings in a clear and cohesive manner
• Candidates must be detail oriented self-starters, with a demonstrated record of taking end-to-end ownership, solving problems, and learning from failures. Must be comfortable working independently in ambiguous situations, and managing external vendor relationships
• Candidates must be willing and able to travel to client locations based on business requirements

The required location for this position is Toronto, ON

Preferred Technical and Professional Expertise

• Previous experience in a client facing / consultative role
• Degree in Business, Law, Supply Chain Management or other applicable field