Global Procurement Manager Marketing

Company

The Vodafone Procurement and Connectivity Company (VPC) in Luxembourg is a vital part of the Vodafone Group, driving our ambition to connect for a better future. At VPC, we source products and services globally to ensure our business operates at its peak performance. Our mission is to support our people in delivering on our strategy, creating a brand cherished by customers, communities, partners, and colleagues alike.

We believe in empowering our team members, encouraging them to take ownership and maximize their diverse talents. Continuous learning and growth are at the heart of our culture, fostering both personal and professional development. If you're a strategic thinker passionate about innovation and leadership in the telecom industry, we want to hear from you.

Join us at Vodafone and be a key player in our journey to reshape the future of global carrier buying!

We get it done, together.

What you’ll do

We are looking for a dynamic Global Category Manager, Marketing to join the Vodafone Procurement and Connectivity company (VPC), where you'll have the opportunity to shape and implement the global sourcing strategy for Vodafone's Marketing division. In this high-impact role, you will be responsible for key global projects across categories such as Market Research, Creative, Production, and Engagement, managing an annual expenditure of approximately €300 million globally.

As a key member of an established central Marketing procurement team, you will collaborate closely with agile project teams and senior stakeholders across local markets and the Group Brand Team. You'll be at the forefront of driving complex contract negotiations, and commercial models, and managing large-scale, global projects. Reporting to the Principal Category Manager, you will work within a cross-functional virtual team, partnering with our Marketing, Brand, and SCM teams. This role is perfect for someone with a proven track record in managing complex global categories, RFPs, and contracts, and who thrives in a fast-paced, challenging environment. If you’re a world-class project manager with experience in global procurement, this could be the perfect next step in your career.  

Your responsibilities: 

Sourcing

• Drive the global implementation and execution of the existing sourcing strategy and category plans to achieve agreed target outcomes.
• Support the development and implementation of sourcing strategies and new contractual commitments, managing a value of up to €300 million.
• Contribute to the ongoing commercial management of marketing agency contracts, including monitoring obligations, rights, key dates, service credits, escalations, commercial disputes, and conducting regular business reviews.
• Manage and support various sourcing activities.

Stakeholder Management, Supplier Management, and Industry Expertise

• Foster and continuously develop a highly collaborative approach with local Marketing, Brand, and SCM teams, with a focus on cross-functional teamwork.
• Build and maintain long-term partnerships with creative agencies and marketing production houses, focusing on delivering value, best-in-class quality, and innovation.
• Maintain a strong internal and external network to stay updated on industry trends, competitors, business opportunities, and risks. Promote best practices for innovation, operational excellence, improved customer experiences, and cost savings.

Innovation

• Contribute to the development and refinement of category-specific contracting models and templates, working closely with Legal, local SCM, and Marketing/Brand teams.
• Support continuous improvements and innovations in category-specific commercial models, collaborating closely with local SCM and Marketing/Brand teams.
• Develop, implement, and refine technology, processes, and tools required for end-to-end category management.
• Lead comprehensive sourcing projects, including complex pricing, commercial, and legal negotiations.

Data Management

• Support the achievement of key category financial targets such as centralized spending, savings, and working capital improvements.
• Maintain accurate data on global Marketing/Brand spend, vendors, and contracts, including maintaining the contracts database, preferred vendor list, and category blueprints. Use in-depth data analytics to generate insights that secure Vodafone's competitive advantage.

Who you are

• Experience and/or Expertise: Proven track record in delivering large, complex global sourcing projects. Strong background in procurement for complex global categories, OR a minimum of 5-7 years of experience in Marketing Creation, Production, Sponsorship, or Engagement Marketing.Experience in cross-functional project management within a regional or global organization.
• Numerical and Analytical Skillset: Strong numerical and analytical skills, with proficiency in financial reporting and modeling. Ability to synthesize data and present key insights to senior stakeholders.
• Negotiation and Decision-Making: Excellent negotiation skills, with the confidence to make decisions and finalize deals.
• Communication and Relationship Building: Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and engage virtual teams. Fluency in English is required; German is a strong plus, and additional language skills are a bonus.
• Multitasking and Project Management: Ability to manage multiple projects across different functions and geographies while ensuring delivery rigor and driving success.Solid project management skills, with experience in large-scale, multi-country, multi-disciplinary projects, including operating model transformations.
• Creative Problem Solving: Ability to think outside the box and bring continuous innovation, identifying opportunities for improvement in commercial models, contracts, and reporting.
• Mindset and Approach: A flexible, team-oriented individual with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels and drive meaningful change. Strong sense of ownership, with the ability to challenge the status quo and implement creative solutions.
• Education: University degree, with a Master’s degree preferred, and a passion for data, analytics, and digital tools.

Not a perfect fit?

Worried that you don’t meet all the desired criteria exactly? At Vodafone we are passionate about Inclusion for All and creating a workplace where everyone can thrive, whatever their personal or professional background. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align exactly with every part of the job description, we encourage you to apply as you may be the right candidate for this role or another role, and our recruitment team can help you see how your skills fit in.

What's in it for you

We want you to feel happy and fulfilled at work, without compromising the other things in life that matter to you. Here are some of the ways we support this:

Annual Discretionary Bonus
•    Rewarding your hard work and dedication
Generous Annual Leave
•    28 days of annual leave, with the option to buy an additional 5 days and the opportunity to carry over 5 days per year
•    1 additional day (Family Day) for personal milestones or special occasions
•    11 public holidays to enjoy time with family and friends
•    5 charity days per year to give back to the community
Flexible Work Arrangements
•    Flexible working schedule to help you balance your professional and personal life 
•    20 days to work from abroad, allowing you to combine work with travel and new experiences
Comprehensive Health and Wellness
•    Lunch vouchers to support your midday meals
•    Access to private AXA health insurance and a robust pension scheme to secure your health and future
Continuous Learning and Development
•    Access to Vodafone University and online training resources to help you grow your skills and advance your career

Your journey to joining us

• Apply: Take the first step and submit your application. We’re excited to learn more about you!
• CV Review: Our team will carefully review your CV to ensure your skills align with the role.
• Recruiter Call: Let’s chat! We’ll discuss your experience and what excites you about this opportunity.
• Personality Assessment: Discover your strengths with our insightful personality test.
• 1st Business Interview: Meet with the team to dive deeper into your expertise and how you can contribute to our success.
• 2nd Business Interview: A final conversation to explore your fit with our company culture and long-term goals.
• Your Outcome: We’ll share the decision with you—either welcoming you aboard or providing valuable feedback.

Who we are

You may have heard of Vodafone - We're a leading Telecommunications company in Europe and Africa. But you might not know that we are continuously investing in new technologies to improve the lives of millions of customers, businesses, and people around the world, creating a better future for everyone.

As part of our global family, whether Vodafone, Vodacom, or _VOIS, you'll feel a sense of pride and purpose as you contribute to our culture of innovation. We pursue equality of opportunity and inclusion for all candidates through our employment policies and practices. We recognize and celebrate the importance of diversity and inclusivity in our workspace and we do not tolerate any form of discrimination especially related to but not limited to race, color, age, veteran status, gender identification, sexual orientation, pregnancy, ethnicity, disability, religion, political affiliation, trade union membership, nationality, Indigenous status, medical condition, HIV status, social origin, cultural background, social, or marital status.

Together we can