In short

We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Senior Lead - Indirect Procurement Category Manager for our Marketing category. This pivotal role will shape and drive the marketing category strategy, optimize spend, and build strong partnerships with agencies and vendors. You will be responsible for developing the category management framework, identifying key opportunities, and ensuring alignment of marketing procurement activities with the organization’s overall brand and business objectives. The ideal candidate will demonstrate innovative thinking, strong negotiation skills, a deep understanding of marketing trends, and exceptional market knowledge.

Your Mission

• Take ownership of shaping the marketing category by analyzing current practices, identifying gaps, and introducing innovative solutions to optimize costs, improve agency and vendor performance, and align with brand and business goals.
• Design and implement a comprehensive procurement strategy for the Marketing category, including but not limited to advertising, media buying, creative agencies, market research, digital marketing tools, trade marketing, events, and sponsorships.
• Ensure robust management of key agency and vendor relationships within agreed categories of marketing supply, while mitigating risk and delivering operational benefit at all times.
• Ensure marketing solutions are fit for purpose, aligned to brand and business needs, and represent the best value, highest quality, and innovation.
• Lead high-value contract negotiations with agencies and vendors, ensuring favorable terms for the organization, managing contract lifecycle, and mitigating risks.
• Perform detailed spend analysis and identify opportunities for cost savings and value creation within the marketing category. Leverage data to drive decision-making and measure performance against KPIs.
• Provide key senior stakeholder support in the marketing procurement sourcing lifecycle—including driving requirement specifications, RFIs, RFPs, evaluation, drafting, contracting, on-boarding, negotiations, agency/vendor management.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement by exploring new marketing technologies, processes, and methods for category management to increase efficiency and impact.

Your story

• 7+ years of procurement experience, with a focus on marketing services, advertising, or a related category.
• Entrepreneurial, flexible, and agile with a proven ability to achieve results with limited resources.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while working independently and self-directed.
• Proven track record in developing and executing marketing procurement strategies, delivering cost savings, and adding value.
• Proactive, positive, and flexible personality with excellent negotiation and communication skills. Extensive negotiation experience and ability to operate effectively in volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous environments.
• Familiarity with marketing markets, including trends, pricing models, key players, and digital platforms.
• Exceptionally self-motivated, organized, and able to prioritize efficiently within an entrepreneurial environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present complex information clearly and influence decision-making.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, or a related field. Marketing-specific certifications or equivalent procurement certification is desirable.

It’s a common stereotype: an accountant buried in spreadsheets, working alone. Well, that’s not us. Our work is a relay, not an individual sprint. We work together with our global teams to help them accomplish their goals – and On’s.

Zürich

Just by the banks of the Limmat you’ll find our largest global hub in Zürich West – On Labs – where you can hike up 12 floors through our custom-built spiral trail.

Förrlibuckstrasse 190,