Regional Category Manager (f/m/d) - Events & Sponsorships

SAP SE; Walldorf; Hybrid; EUR 60.000 - 100.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A leading global software company is seeking a Regional Category Manager (f/m/d) for Events & Sponsorships to drive innovation and strategic value within the Global Marketing Procurement team. This senior position demands several years of experience in marketing procurement with expertise in managing events and sponsorships. Responsibilities include developing category strategies, delivering financial targets, and optimizing processes across regions. The role offers opportunities for continuous growth in a dynamic environment.

Leistungen

Continuous learning opportunities

Great benefits

Wellbeing focus

Qualifikationen

• Several years of experience in marketing procurement, ideally focused on events and sponsorships.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret and analyze data for decision-making.
• Proven ability to manage multi-million dollar spend portfolios.

Aufgaben

• Develop and execute the regional category strategy for events and sponsorships.
• Own regional category spend and deliver financial targets.
• Provide strategic leadership to buyers and sourcing teams.

Kenntnisse

Marketing procurement experience

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Project management

Negotiation skills

Jobbeschreibung

Regional Category Manager (f/m/d) - Events & Sponsorships

We help the world run better
At SAP, we keep it simple: you bring your best to us, and we'll bring out the best in you. We're builders touching over 20 industries and 80% of global commerce, and we need your unique talents to help shape what's next. The work is challenging – but it matters. You'll find a place where you can be yourself, prioritize your wellbeing, and truly belong. Constant learning, skill growth, great benefits, and a team that wants you to grow and succeed.

What you’ll build

We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Regional Category Manager (f/m/d) – Events & Sponsorships to join our Global Marketing Procurement team. In this senior role, you will drive innovation, efficiency, and strategic value creation across the Events and Sponsorships categories, shaping how the organization engages partners and delivers world‑class brand experience.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute the regional category strategy for events and sponsorships in line with business and procurement goals.
• Own the regional category spend and deliver financial targets (savings, rebates, payment terms, etc.), value creation, and risk‑mitigation targets with full accountability.
• Harmonize and optimize processes across regions by mapping current workflows, identifying inefficiencies and implementing standardized, agile and compliant solutions to improve overall stakeholder experience.
• Provide strategic leadership to buyers / sourcing teams, ensuring consistency and alignment with global/regional frameworks and policies.
• Build strong business partnerships with global and regional stakeholders to understand needs, influence decisions and deliver tailored, value‑driven procurement solutions.
• Lead strategic sourcing and supplier management initiatives, including supplier selection, negotiation, contracting, risk mitigation and performance optimization.
• Lead complex, high‑impact commercial negotiations, including multi‑year sponsorship agreements and regional event frameworks.
• Lead procurement transformation and change management initiatives, supporting the adoption of new tools, governance frameworks and digital solutions.
• Develop governance models, metrics and knowledge‑sharing frameworks to ensure transparency, capability building and continuous improvement globally.
• Drive innovation, sustainability and diversity across the supplier base, supporting corporate ESG goals.

What you bring

• Several years of working experience in marketing procurement, ideally focused on events, sponsorships or related marketing categories.
• Proven track record in defining and executing global/regional category strategies in close collaboration with business stakeholders and suppliers, ensuring alignment with both commercial and business objectives.
• Demonstrated success in leading cross‑regional and cross‑functional initiatives and driving process harmonization or transformation.
• Strong expertise in process mapping, documentation and optimization, with the ability to simplify complex workflows and enhance stakeholder experience.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, interpret and analyze data to support decision‑making, identify opportunities and drive continuous improvement.
• Effective communication, stakeholder management and negotiation skills, with the ability to build relationships, influence stakeholders, and drive change across the organization and with external suppliers.
• Experience presenting category strategies, business cases and commercial recommendations at senior or executive leadership forums.
• Proven ability to manage multi‑million‑dollar spend portfolios and drive measurable value beyond cost – such as supplier innovation or operational agility.
• Proven experience in leading or contributing to organizational transformation, including implementing new processes, driving digitalization or managing change within procurement or similar functions.
• Strong project management skills; able to manage multiple priorities regionally.
• Proven ability to lead without authority, steering cross‑functional teams and shaping decisions in matrixed, geographically dispersed environments.
• Capability to mentor and coach junior team members and contribute to capability building across Marketing Procurement globally.
• Strategic mindset, with the ability to think beyond immediate tasks and understand the long‑term impact of procurement strategies on business transformation and value creation.

SAP is committed to the values of Equal Employment Opportunity and provides accessibility accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you need accommodation or special assistance to navigate our website or complete your application, please send an e‑mail to [e-mail].

Requisition ID: 443473 | Work Area: Finance | Expected Travel: 0 - 10% | Career Status: Professional | Employment Type: Regular Full Time |#LI-Hybrid

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