Professional - Contracts/Category Manager

Horizontal Talent; Kentucky; Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plan

Job summary

Horizontal Talent is seeking a Marketing Procurement professional to shape category strategy, unlock value opportunities, and lead sourcing across influencer, creator, social media, and broader marketing services.

You will partner with marketing, finance, legal, risk and other stakeholders to drive commercial outcomes, manage RFPs, negotiations, and contracting, and translate business priorities into actionable procurement plans.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience in procurement or related field.
• Experience in marketing services procurement and influencer/creator marketing.
• Certifications such as CPSM or Six Sigma are preferred.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and stakeholder-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Partner with marketing, finance, legal, risk, and other stakeholders to turn business priorities into actionable procurement and category strategies.
• Develop and evolve category plans based on spend, supplier landscapes, market conditions, and brand needs.
• Lead sourcing and negotiation across marketing-related categories including influencer marketing, social media, creative, media, and agencies.
• Manage procurement activities from opportunity assessment through RFP/RFQ development, supplier evaluation, and contracting.
• Assess agency and supplier models, rate structures, retention, staffing, and performance to strengthen commercial outcomes.
• Apply knowledge of influencer/creator ecosystems, including talent fees, usage rights, licensing, exclusivity, amplification, and production considerations.
• Communicate with senior stakeholders, balancing value, speed, and risk.

Skills

Procurement

Category management

Marketing services

Negotiation skills

Stakeholder management

Financial analysis

Communication

Ambiguity handling

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Advanced degree preferred

CPSM or Six Sigma certification

Job description

Join a dynamic marketing procurement team where you will help shape category strategy, unlock value opportunities, and lead sourcing initiatives across influencer, creator, social media, and broader marketing services. This is a great opportunity for an experienced procurement professional who enjoys partnering with cross-functional teams, driving commercial outcomes, and supporting strategic brand priorities in a fast-moving environment.

Responsibilities

• Partner with marketing, finance, legal, risk, and other stakeholders to turn business priorities into actionable procurement and category strategies.
• Develop and evolve category plans based on changes in spend, supplier landscapes, market conditions, and brand needs.
• Identify and advance savings and value opportunities through spend analysis, demand review, scope optimization, benchmarking, and supplier strategy.
• Lead sourcing and negotiation efforts across marketing-related categories, including influencer marketing, social media, creative, media, content production, digital marketing, experiential, and agencies.
• Manage procurement activities from opportunity assessment through RFP/RFQ development, supplier evaluation, commercial analysis, negotiation, and contracting.
• Assess agency and supplier models, rate structures, retainers, staffing, and performance to strengthen commercial outcomes.
• Apply knowledge of influencer and creator ecosystems, including talent fees, commissions, usage rights, licensing, exclusivity, amplification, and production considerations.
• Use market intelligence, internal spend data, and industry trends to inform recommendations and guide decision-making.
• Communicate effectively with senior stakeholders and provide clear, practical guidance that balances value, flexibility, speed, and risk.

Skills

• Strong background in procurement and category management, with experience in marketing-related sourcing.
• Direct experience working with influencer marketing, creator marketing, social media, or similar marketing services.
• Ability to develop category strategies and convert business priorities into measurable procurement actions.
• Solid understanding of commercial models, agency economics, scopes of work, and cost drivers in marketing services.
• Proven negotiation skills and confidence leading complex sourcing and contracting efforts independently.
• Strong analytical and financial skills, with the ability to interpret budgets, spend data, and business plans.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work through ambiguity, manage multiple priorities, and deliver results from strategy through execution.

Preferred Skills

• Experience in retail, fashion, apparel, consumer brands, or another consumer-focused industry.
• Experience in a global, multi-brand organization.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant professional experience; advanced degree preferred.
• Procurement or sourcing certifications such as CPSM, Six Sigma, or similar credentials.

Horizontal is committed to creating an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and where equity and belonging are part of how we work every day.

We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply and welcome talent that brings fresh thinking, collaboration, and a shared commitment to inclusive excellence.

For those that join the team, we offer competitive compensation and benefits including medical, dental, vision, and retirement.

The pay range for this role is $23 - $55 per hour based on qualifications and experience.