Assistant Manager- Procurement

Job Summary:

Tata CLiQ is seeking a dynamic and detail-oriented Assistant Manager – ATL & BTL Marketing & Packaging Procurement to drive the end-to-end sourcing and procurement of marketing services. This role requires a deep understanding of media buying, creative services, experiential marketing, and agency management. The ideal candidate will partner with cross-functional teams and external vendors to ensure cost-effective, compliant, and efficient marketing procurement while maintaining brand standards.

Key Responsibilities:

1. End-to-End Sourcing of Marketing Services

• Manage procurement across Above-the-Line (ATL) channels: TV, radio, cinema, digital video, print (newspapers/magazines), and outdoor (OOH, hoardings, transit media).
• Lead Below-the-Line (BTL) sourcing activities including in-store branding, events, retail activations, brand merchandising, influencer marketing, and sampling campaigns.

2. Marketing Agency Management

• Identify and onboard creative, media, and activation agencies via structured RFI/RFP processes.
• Negotiate retainer and project-based contracts for creative services, media planning/buying, and campaign execution.
• Develop and maintain preferred vendor rosters ensuring competitive pricing and service quality.

3. Digital Marketing Procurement

• Collaborate with digital teams to procure SEO/SEM, performance marketing, content creation, and digital production partners.
• Ensure procurement strategies are aligned with digital campaign calendars and media planning cycles.

4. Print & Production Services

• Source and manage vendors for marketing collaterals like flyers, posters, POSMs, standees, and branded giveaways.
• Handle procurement of photo/video production services for campaigns and brand storytelling.

5. Event & Activation Procurement

• Procure services for store launches, pop-up events, experiential marketing, exhibitions, and BTL activations.
• Lead vendor selection, rate negotiations, contract compliance, and performance reviews.

6. Marketing Budget & Spend Control

• Collaborate with Finance and Marketing to manage budget utilization, cost optimization, and adherence to planned spends.
• Monitor agency billings, validate invoices, and ensure timely vendor payments.

7. Contracting & Compliance

• Oversee complete contract lifecycle: drafting, legal vetting, renewals, and archival.
• Ensure vendor compliance with brand guidelines, IP rights, data protection, and Tata Group ethical procurement standards.

8. Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a strategic partner to brand, category, and digital marketing teams.
• Provide market intelligence on industry trends, agency performance, rate benchmarks, and procurement best practices.

9. Packaging Procurement

• Lead procurement of primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging materials including boxes, mailers, tamper-proof bags, tissue wraps, stickers, tapes, and inserts.
• Partner with Operations, Design, and SCM teams to align packaging specs with brand identity, functionality, and sustainability goals.
• Monitor supplier capacity, cost competitiveness, quality assurance, and eco-friendly material adoption.
• Ensure on-time availability of packaging inventory to support order fulfillment cycles and peak season demand.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Mass Communication, or related field. MBA preferred.
• 6–8 years of relevant experience in marketing procurement or marketing operations, ideally within e-commerce, FMCG, retail, or advertising sectors.
• Solid understanding of ATL/BTL channels, digital marketing, agency ecosystems, and vendor management.
• Experience in RFP management, contract negotiation, and marketing budget control.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
• Proficient in marketing procurement processes, cost benchmarking, and sourcing tools.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and collaboration abilities.
• Attention to detail, problem-solving mindset, and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Familiarity with SAP or similar procurement platforms is an advantage.