Category Specialist (Marketing Procurement)

1st Executive Ltd; England; Remote; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

1st Executive Ltd is seeking a Category Specialist to support the Marketing procurement category for a Global FMCG Brand. You will partner with Marketing stakeholders and manage sourcing across agency services, media, events, brand activations and related marketing spend, balancing commercial discipline with brand objectives.

The role requires capability to challenge constructively, influence stakeholders and deliver commercial value without compromising brand strategies.

Qualifications

• Experience running RFQs, RFPs and sourcing exercises.
• Experience evaluating supplier proposals and developing commercial recommendations.
• Contract and supplier management experience.

Responsibilities

• Support sourcing activities across agency services, media, events, brand activations, point-of-sale materials and broader marketing spend.
• Partner closely with Marketing stakeholders to balance commercial discipline with brand objectives.

Skills

RFQ/RFPs

Supplier evaluation

Contract management

Stakeholder management

Marketing procurement

Job description

Category Specialist (Marketing Procurement)

I am currently recruiting a Category Specialist to support the Marketing procurement category for a Global FMCG Brand

This role will partner closely with Marketing stakeholders and support sourcing activities across agency services, media, events, brand activations, point-of-sale materials and wider marketing expenditure.

Unlike a traditional Procurement role, success in this position requires the ability to balance commercial discipline with an understanding of how Marketing teams operate and make decisions.

The successful candidate will be able to challenge constructively, influence stakeholders and deliver commercial value without disrupting brand objectives.

Key requirements

• Experience running RFQs, RFPs and sourcing exercises
• Experience evaluating supplier proposals and developing commercial recommendations
• Contract and supplier management experience
• Comfortable working with non-procurement stakeholders

Experience in one or more of the following

• Marketing Procurement
• Media agencies (Nice to Have)
• Brand activations
• Promotional materials
• Events procurement
• Research / Insights

Candidates should be comfortable working with Brand Managers, Marketing Directors, Shopper Marketing Teams, Digital Marketing Teams and external agencies

The successful candidate must demonstrate an ability to build credibility with Marketing stakeholders while maintaining a commercial mindset.

The ideal candidate will have

• Has at least two years sourcing / procurement / buying experience
• Has supported agency tenders, events, promotional spend, media buying or marketing services
• Understands how agencies are structured and remunerated
• Can speak confidently with Marketing stakeholders
• Wants to develop deeper category expertise