Head of Category Marketing - Procurement Marketing Lead

Senior Procurement Category Lead - Marketing to lead a significant Marketing procurement portfolio, delivering value, innovation and supplier excellence across one of the business's most visible and impactful categories.

Client Details

A large corporate organisation who is transforming and growing their procurement division based in Leeds

Description

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.

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.

Marketing Category Areas May Include

Media Buying & Planning

Creative & Advertising Agencies

Production Services

Print & Direct Marketing

Point of Sale (POS)

Marketing Technology (MarTech)

Data, Analytics & Insights

Digital Marketing Services

CRM & Customer Communications

Brand & Campaign Management

Research & Consumer Insight

Promotional & Marketing Support Services

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.

Profile

A successful Head of Category - 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.

We're looking for a procurement professional who combines strong commercial capability with deep Marketing category experience and exceptional stakeholder management skills.

Essential Experience

Significant experience within Marketing Procurement.

Expertise across multiple Marketing categories such as Media, Creative Agencies, Production, Print, MarTech, Data or Marketing Services.

Proven experience developing and executing category strategies.

Strong track record of delivering commercial value and cost optimisation.

Experience leading complex sourcing and supplier management initiatives.

Excellent negotiation and contract management skills.

Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing capability.

Experience operating within large, complex organisations.

Leadership experience, including coaching and developing procurement teams.

Desirable Experience

Experience managing substantial Marketing spend portfolios.

Exposure to digital transformation and Marketing technology procurement.

Knowledge of data, analytics and customer insight services.

Experience working within retail, FMCG, consumer or customer-focused environments.

CIPS qualification or equivalent professional accreditation.

Job Offer

Rewards & Benefits

Competitive Salary

Annual Performance Bonus

Car Allowance

Generous Pension Scheme

Private Healthcare

Hybrid & Flexible Working

Enhanced Holiday Allowance

Employee Wellbeing Programmes

Professional Development Support

Career Progression Opportunities

Inclusive and Collaborative Culture