Procurement Specialist T4

Location: Fully Remote (EST Hours) / New York, NY 10001. Duration: Minimum 6 months with possible extensions. Assignment type: Freelancer / C‑User (external contractor). Reporting to Global Head of Marketing Procurement.

About the role

Client is seeking a highly experienced and immediately available Interim Category Manager Events & Sponsorships to join the Global Marketing Procurement team on a freelancer / C‑User assignment basis. The role is critical to an urgent business need, overseeing active global RFPs, supplier negotiations, and a board‑level cost optimisation programme. It also carries a strategic mandate to develop and execute a forward‑looking vendor ecosystem strategy for a category with spend in excess of €300 million.

Responsibilities

• Take immediate ownership of active global RFPs for Events & third‑party Sponsorships, drive them to completion, and execute contracting in line with legal and procurement standards.
• Finalize supplier negotiations, lead selection processes, and deliver measurable savings as part of a board‑level cost optimisation programme.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive category strategy and future vendor ecosystem, rationalising the supply base and establishing strategic partnerships.
• Lead complex global sourcing initiatives, including high‑value eRFX processes, multi‑year agreements, and regional event frameworks.
• Define and roll out a future operating model and governance framework, establishing structures that ensure accountability, transparency, and sustainable performance.
• Lead change‑management initiatives to embed new ways of working, tools, and governance across the team and stakeholder communities.
• Act as a strategic advisor to senior Marketing and Business stakeholders, influencing decisions through analysis and clear communication.
• Build and manage strategic vendor partnerships, develop a supplier management model with SLAs, KPI framework, and performance review cadences.
• Leverage data, analytics, and digital tools—including AI‑enabled capabilities—to generate insights, drive evidence‑based decisions, and increase operational efficiency.

Requirements

• 10+ years of strategic procurement experience, with a strong focus on Events & Sponsorships category management in complex, multinational environments.
• Proven track record of running and closing complex global RFP/eRFX processes, supplier negotiations, and selections.
• Experience executing procurement contracting for Events and/or Sponsorships at scale.
• Demonstrated success managing multi‑million or multi‑hundred‑million EUR spend portfolios and delivering measurable cost optimisation.
• Background in defining and executing global or regional category strategies, vendor ecosystem design, and operating models.
• Experience working with event agencies, experiential marketing agencies, or sponsorship agencies is a strong advantage.
• Proven experience leading organisational or category change, implementing new governance frameworks, operating models, and procurement processes.
• Ability to lead without authority, steering cross‑functional and geographically dispersed teams.

Qualifications

• University degree in Business, Economics, Supply Chain Management, Marketing, Communications or a related field.
• Professional procurement certification (e.g., CIPS, CPM) or equivalent practical experience.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken); additional languages are an advantage.

Skills

• High analytical capability – collect, interpret, and synthesize complex data for category decisions.
• Strong communication skills – convey complex topics clearly at all levels, including senior and executive leadership.
• High influencing skills – shape decisions across functions, hierarchies, and geographies without direct authority.
• Business partnering – build trust‑based relationships with senior stakeholders and act as a credible strategic advisor.
• Structured approach to complexity – bring order, clarity, and rigour to fragmented categories.
• Project management – manage multiple concurrent workstreams, priorities, and stakeholders globally.
• Deep understanding of supply markets, commercial drivers, and value levers within Events & Sponsorships.
• Proficiency with digital procurement tools, analytics platforms, and willingness to leverage AI‑enabled capabilities.

Assignment Details

• Assignment type: Freelancer / C‑User (external contractor).
• Minimum duration: 6 months, with option to extend.
• Reporting line: Global Head of Marketing Procurement.