Role Overview:
Marketing and Communications are centrally led from LKQ’s headquarters in Zug, Switzerland, but operate as two distinct categories, each with their own stakeholders and requirements.

The European Indirect Procurement Category Manager for Marketing and Communications will take ownership for setting and executing procurement strategies and work to deliver maximum synergy across multiple regions. The role will take fully accountability for the planning, forecasting, and delivering of third-party related projects, initiatives, and benefits, alongside leading and managing the category team to deliver on all objectives.

Key Responsibilities:
•   Developing and executing strategies for both main categories and subcategories, including print and advertising, media planning and buying, branding, promotions, market data analysis, digital/e commerce, editorial, events, exhibitions and translation services
•   Managing category suppliers
•   Working to and delivering on agreed savings targets and plans
•   Understanding the scope, scale and complexity of the category in relation to variable business requirements
•   Challenging stakeholders about potential for improvement on current processes using market knowledge
•   Working with stakeholders on technical and commercial aspects to ensure quality service and value
•   Understanding how marketing, communication and media industries operate at a fundamental level and recognizing key suppliers in these industries
•   Developing and implementing Indirect Category Marketing & Communication management plans
•   Managing areas of responsibility using initiative and delivering continuous improvement
•   Liaising with organizational stakeholders and subject matter experts to reach optimal outcomes in the category management process
•   Reporting significant market changes and recommendations for action to the Director of Indirect Procurement and Head of Category
•   Analyzing and interpreting spend data to support category planning and strategy development
•   Providing expert knowledge of category-related supply markets, using insights to propose new and innovative ways of working to optimize category performance
•   Preparing procurement recommendations considering value creation, risk mitigation and governance, while taking into account market, legal and commercial factors
•   Running tender and negotiation processes to optimize all contracts with external parties
•   Driving ongoing supplier relationship management plans for all key contracts; ensuring the supplied service meets requirements and contracts are correct and in line with agreed key performance indicators (KPIs)
•   Forming a key part of the project team, managing the integration of new suppliers into the category alongside stakeholders and project managers
•   Monitoring business compliance with approved suppliers and established framework agreements, identifying areas of off-contract purchasing
•   Developing positive relationships with internal stakeholders at all levels to secure buy-in
•   Embedding and embracing LKQ Europe’s cultures and values as we move towards one company with shared visions and goals.

Key and Desired Skills:
•   2 years indirect procurement work experience, ideally within marketing and communications
•   Bachelor’s degree would be advantageous, preferably in marketing or commercial
•   MCIPS, NEVI 1 or studying towards this qualification would be desirable
•   Proven track record in procurement supplier management and category management
•   Excellent negotiation skills
•   Good analytic and conceptional capabilities
•   Strong customer and stakeholder management
•   Project management experience would be desirable
•   Experience working in international teams within in a matrix environment
•   Good understanding of digital and data technologies used in marketing and communications would be an advantage
•   Strong understanding of how to engage key stakeholders to collaboratively meet
targets and the ability to influence others without authority
•   Experience of using tools and software such as Coupa Sourcing, GEP Smart etc would be an advantage
•   Excellent communication skills in English and a 2nd language would be beneficial

WITH LKQ YOU WILL FIND:
•   A good salary and financial benefits that’s perfectly in line with your background. These include a pension and other employee-friendly schemes
• The chance to work hybrid
•   A challenging role in a growing organisation
•   An organization with a lot of opportunities, which provide personal growth
•   Work closely with some amazingly talented people
•   Respect for your ideas and acknowledgement for a job well done.

Vacature

European Indirect Procurement Category Manager - Marketing and Communications