Sourcing and Category Expert Marketing and Media

Senior Sourcing & Category Manager – Marketing, Media & Insurance Location: Amsterdam | Hybrid Industry: Financial Services Salary: €100.000 - €120.000 An established international financial services organisation is looking for an experienced Senior Sourcing & Category Manager – Marketing, Media & Insurance to strengthen its global procurement function. This is an opportunity for a strategic procurement professional to take ownership of complex, high-value sourcing initiatives across multiple international markets.

About the opportunity

An established international financial services organisation is looking for an experienced Senior Sourcing & Category Manager – Marketing, Media & Insurance to strengthen its global procurement function.

This is an opportunity for a strategic procurement professional to take ownership of complex, high-value sourcing initiatives across multiple international markets.

Working closely with senior procurement leadership and key business stakeholders, you will contribute to the development and execution of global category strategies covering marketing, media, advertising, insurance and related professional services.

The position combines strategic sourcing, complex negotiations, supplier relationship management and business partnering. You will play an important role in strengthening category management capabilities, driving commercial value and ensuring procurement activities align with business objectives and regulatory requirements.

Key responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Category Management

• Develop and execute international sourcing strategies across Marketing, Media and Insurance categories.

• Lead complex sourcing initiatives, including supplier selection, commercial negotiations, contracting and risk mitigation.

• Identify opportunities for cost optimisation, supplier innovation, demand management and long-term value creation.

• Translate global category strategies into actionable procurement plans, incorporating local market requirements.

• Monitor supplier markets, emerging trends, commercial models and regulatory developments.

• Drive procurement excellence through effective category management, supplier governance and continuous improvement.

Supplier & Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with international suppliers, agencies, insurers and brokers.

• Lead high-value negotiations and manage complex commercial discussions and escalations.

• Act as a trusted advisor to senior business stakeholders, providing strategic procurement expertise and market insights.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Legal, Risk, Compliance, Finance and local Procurement.

• Ensure sourcing and contracting activities comply with internal governance, third-party risk management and applicable regulatory requirements.

International Collaboration & Leadership

• Coordinate sourcing initiatives involving procurement teams across multiple countries and business units.

• Provide functional guidance to buyers and procurement professionals supporting international projects.

• Coach colleagues on negotiation strategies, commercial analysis and category management methodologies.

• Influence senior decision-makers and contribute to strategic steering committees.

• Support the implementation and adoption of global procurement frameworks and best practices.

The strategic challenge

The organisation is transitioning towards a more integrated, category-led procurement operating model.

A central part of this role will involve strengthening strategic category management capabilities across international markets while ensuring alignment between global procurement objectives and local business requirements.

You will help establish a consistent approach to category strategy, supplier engagement and value creation, working closely with regional procurement teams and senior stakeholders.

Success will require strategic thinking, commercial expertise, stakeholder influence and the ability to translate procurement strategies into measurable business outcomes.

Your profile

We are looking for a commercially driven and internationally experienced procurement professional who combines category expertise with strong stakeholder management capabilities.

Experience & expertise

• Minimum 6 years of procurement experience, preferably within an international financial services environment.

• At least 5 years of relevant category management experience within Marketing, Media and/or Insurance.

• Demonstrated success in developing and executing complex international sourcing strategies.

• Strong understanding of marketing and media procurement, including media buying, creative agencies, advertising, digital marketing, market research, sponsorship and marketing technology.

• Alternatively, or additionally, expertise in insurance procurement, including corporate insurance, employee benefits, credit risk insurance and insurance distribution models.

• Experience managing relationships with major international suppliers, agencies, insurers and brokers.

• Proven track record of delivering measurable procurement value through negotiations, supplier management and category optimisation.

• Experience working with senior leadership and geographically dispersed procurement teams.

• Familiarity with procurement governance, regulatory compliance and third-party risk management, preferably within financial services.

Personal competencies

• Excellent negotiation and commercial influencing skills.

• Strong analytical capabilities and strategic thinking.

• Ability to manage complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and international teams.

• Confident communicator with the ability to challenge, advise and influence senior leadership.

• Sound understanding of contractual, legal and regulatory considerations.

• Proactive, independent and comfortable operating in a changing environment.

• Strong commitment to sustainable and responsible procurement.

• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken.

Interested?

Are you an experienced procurement professional with a strong background in Marketing, Media and/or Insurance, looking to make a strategic impact within an international financial services environment?

Apply today to learn more about this opportunity and explore your next career move.

This role is managed by Walters People B.V., trading under the name Robert Walters.