Sr. Manager, Marketing & Communications Sourcing

About the position

The Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) Senior Manager for Marketing & Communications (PR) with prior experience in procurement of marketing related spend categories, preferred. He/she proactively partners with business stakeholders in the Marketing function to develop category strategies and lead sourcing projects, enable specification definition and demand management, as well as managing supplier performance and innovation activities. Marketing & Communications represents $650M in third party spend in the region and contributes to business success and revenue growth. Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) Snr Manager for Marketing & Communications (PR), NA will report to the Senior Director, Marketing & Communications Procurement.

Responsibilities

• Establishes strong relationships with key WBD stakeholders in Marketing & Communications (PR) and in other areas of Marketing (Media/Mkt. Research), as needed.
• Builds a strong understanding of strategic business direction, objectives, requirements, and priorities across Marketing & Comms planning and buying categories.
• Effectively works with functional and business groups as a trusted advisor to identify sourcing opportunities across WBD to deliver against Marketing & Communications agency/supplier business objectives.
• Supports the development of global category strategy recommendations in a concise and persuasive fashion and leads implementation of the sourcing strategy.
• Creates and implements regionally focused sourcing plans and globally as needed.
• Is resourceful in obtaining relevant information for crafting new category strategies and supporting decisions within the category and/or sourcing engagements for the business unit.
• Conducts comprehensive agency/supplier analysis (strategic direction, financial health/risk due diligence, market position, power within industry, capabilities & capacity, risk assessment).
• Cultivates a comprehensive understanding of broader market and industry trends and dynamics.
• Develops and implements supplier relationship programs that cut across multiple WBD business divisions in close collaboration with key stakeholders.
• Identifies and implements complex projects across divisions and territories.
• Compiles and synthesizes both business requirements and external market conditions to develop optimal category strategy.
• Develops and assembles required Request for Information (RFI), Request for Quotation (RFQ) or Request for Proposal (RFP) as dictated by the relevant sourcing strategy and priorities.
• Leads the entire sourcing process, effectively guiding cross-functional teams in selecting partners that deliver best total value for WBD.
• Demonstrates consistent success in meeting or exceeding goals, timelines, and expectations for multiple projects that may be occurring simultaneously.
• Cultivates a deep understanding of the underlying cost and value drivers at the market, supplier and or subcategory level.
• Can apply various types of financial analyses to address challenges in new ways.
• Analyzes spending patterns to identify new opportunities for value creation.
• Collaborates close with Procurement colleagues and other functions (Finance, Marketing, Legal, etc.) to bring newly uncovered opportunities to life.
• Leads and develop negotiation strategies, contract analyses, sourcing communications and meetings.
• Possesses the experience and confidence to make well-judged decisions independently.
• Collaborates with stakeholders and legal counsel to lead negotiations and contract coordination.
• Has the necessary business acumen to be thoroughly conversant in the intent and rationale behind contract provisions.

Requirements

• 5-7 years strategy, marketing, and sourcing experience in a sophisticated sourcing environment.
• Solid experience and subject matter expertise in marketing related categories, preferred.
• Bachelor's Degree is required. Business or Marketing degree is preferred.
• Experience in the Media & Entertainment industry is preferred, but not required.
• Professional accreditation in sourcing / procurement preferred.
• Must have proven project management experience, excellent communication skills, ability to analyze and resolve complex issues.
• Experience in working with Sr./C- Suite level business leaders in formulating and executing on business strategy.
• Experience in working in a large, global, decentralized, and matrixed organization.
• Curious, passionate, self-starter, strong business partnering orientation with the highest integrity and work ethics.
• Strong supplier management/performance measurement monitoring experience.
• Must be knowledgeable of, and experienced in, application of Strategic Sourcing best practices.
• Ability to deliver professional and effective communications, verbally or in writing.
• Advance analytical skills and demonstrated application of category-specific best practices.
• Strong project leader, emphasis on execution, multi-tasking & managing multiple priorities.
• Highly collaborative and agile team player.
• Able to gain trust, strong service orientation, impeccable customer focus with the ability to influence others.
• Self-motivated, works independently, minimal direction needed.
• Ability to manage multiple projects & tasks that may be occurring simultaneously with tight timelines.

Nice-to-haves

• Demonstrated people management experience, preferred.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage
• Employee wellness program
• Life and disability insurance
• Retirement savings plan
• Paid holidays and sick time
• Vacation