Freelance Associate Director

Our client is a leading global snacking company and are looking to engage with a Associate Director : Procurement – AMEA (Marketing).

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute a region-specific procurement strategy for Marketing (Media, Creative, Ad Production, Market Research, POS) and IT categories (Technology solutions, IT infrastructure, software) to optimize spend and drive business objectives.

2. Cost Reduction in Marketing & IT: Lead initiatives to reduce marketing and IT spends, with a specific focus on media buying, advertising, and technology procurement. Implement cost-reduction strategies, supplier consolidation, and contract renegotiation to deliver regional savings targets.

3. Sourcing & Spend Optimization: Oversee and manage sourcing activities across multiple countries and markets within AMEA, specifically driving cost-effective solutions in media and advertising procurement, and IT technology sourcing. Ensure procurement processes are aligned with corporate goals and local market dynamics.

4. Supplier Relationship Management: Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers, media agencies, and IT vendors to ensure value-driven partnerships and long-term cost savings.

5. Regional Stakeholder Management: Lead and facilitate core regional team meetings, ensuring alignment with key stakeholders including Country Procurement Operations Managers, Marketing and IT Functional Leads, Supply Chain, Legal, and Finance teams.

6. Sourcing Process Leadership: Direct and manage regional bidding, negotiations, and supplier selection processes in marketing and IT categories. Ensure sourcing decisions drive value and savings while adhering to global procurement policies.

7. Collaboration Across Functions: Work closely with Category Managers, Procurement Finance Leads, and other cross-functional teams to identify and implement cost-saving initiatives, particularly in high-spend areas like media and IT.

8. Cost Efficiency Initiatives: Champion cost efficiency in marketing spends, specifically media buying, agency contracts, and advertising costs, while also ensuring the IT procurement strategy is aligned with broader company goals.

9. Market Innovation: Stay abreast of emerging trends in media buying, advertising, and IT technologies, leveraging supplier innovation and creativity to drive enhanced value and reduce overall spend.

Skills Required

Skills and Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree required; MBA preferred.

Experience: Proven track record in procurement, with significant experience managing media buying, advertising, and IT procurement categories within large organizations (FMCG experience is preferred but not mandatory).

Analytical Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to manage complex, multi-market procurement decisions and cost-reduction initiatives across media and IT spends.

Project Management: Strong organizational and project management skills, capable of driving regional sourcing initiatives across multiple markets and diverse business needs.

Negotiation Expertise: Expertise in negotiating media buying contracts, advertising spend, and IT vendor agreements to secure cost-effective terms while maintaining quality and creativity.

Communication: Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders, including Marketing, IT, and Finance leadership, to drive cost-saving strategies and strategic sourcing decisions.

Leadership: Demonstrated leadership capabilities in guiding teams toward achieving procurement objectives, managing cross-functional projects, and driving alignment with business goals.

Conflict Management: Ability to effectively manage and resolve conflicts, fostering positive and productive relationships with both internal stakeholders and external suppliers.

Cost Efficiency Focus: A deep passion for driving cost-saving initiatives, particularly in marketing and IT categories, without compromising on service delivery, quality, or innovation.