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.
Group of girls smiling
  • Man and woman sat at desks talking
  • Open planned office with men and women sat on a a large curved sofa
  • Group of runners talking outside the office
  • A team of people sat on the steps with a view of mountains outside the office.
  • Two women smiling at each other in a meeting room with large curved windows
  • A group of people sat around a table looking at large design papers
  • 3 men sat around with laptops smiling at each other
  • a large group of runners holding an On flag smiling at the camera
  • Man and woman sat at desks talking
  • Open planned office with men and women sat on a a large curved sofa
  • Group of runners talking outside the office
  • A team of people sat on the steps with a view of mountains outside the office.
  • Two women smiling at each other in a meeting room with large curved windows
  • A group of people sat around a table looking at large design papers
  • 3 men sat around with laptops smiling at each other
  • a large group of runners holding an On flag smiling at the camera
  • Man and woman sat at desks talking
  • Open planned office with men and women sat on a a large curved sofa
  • Group of runners talking outside the office
  • A team of people sat on the steps with a view of mountains outside the office.
  • Two women smiling at each other in a meeting room with large curved windows
  • A group of people sat around a table looking at large design papers
  • 3 men sat around with laptops smiling at each other
  • a large group of runners holding an On flag smiling at the camera

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.
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About the Team

The indirect procurement team empowers and enables each individual within On to manage their procurement activities in an optimised, effective and value added way. Our aim is to challenge the status quo and build a high performance procurement culture in the marketing category through strong partnerships, competitive sourcing and scalable solutions.. We optimise procurement by delivering excellence across our service portfolio and implementing tools and processes to all teams in order to enable their core objectives. The team aims to deliver through 5 main pillars which are: Optimised Spend, Supplier security and flexibility, Optimal flow & Speed, Better and faster decision making, and stakeholder satisfaction.

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Team

Team

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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.

Learn about our Spirits
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Ruby

Head of Group Planning & Analytics Controlling

I’m challenged every day with new learnings, new perspectives and new technologies. I can feel that my horizon expands as our business grows. I’m on this exciting journey of never-ending personal development, which is crucial to me.
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What we offer

On is a place that is centered around growth and progress. We offer an environment designed to give people the tools to develop holistically – to stay active, to learn, explore and innovate. Our distinctive approach combines a supportive, team-oriented atmosphere, with access to personal self-care for both physical and mental well-being, so each person is led by purpose.

On is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a work environment that is fair and inclusive, where all decisions related to recruitment, advancement, and retention are free of discrimination.

Build the better you

What to expect

We want to set everyone up for success, so here’s the lowdown on how we hire. Our process is a two-way street – bringing you into our culture, while helping us learn how you think.

Our full process can last about eight weeks from application to offer, because we care about getting it right. These steps explain how we usually do things.

Before you get started, feel free to consider if you want to work with us. Strange question? Well, we give people a lot of space to navigate their day-to-day and that style isn't for everyone. We want you to be passionate about what you do and be sure this is the right fit. Because when skills and passion combine – it creates that 'Wow' moment.