Global Category Lead Buyer - Communication Agencies

• Location: Barcelona

Sanofi is an innovative global healthcare company headquartered in Paris, France with one purpose: Chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives.  

We are dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of the patients and families we serve, and we accomplish our goals through world-class research and with the compassion and commitment of our employees.  

The company is focused on accelerating development to deliver breakthrough medicines and vaccines to patients, delivering excellence though Diversity. 

About the job

Within Sanofi, the Procurement function is a powerhouse maximizing savings to fund the company’s future growth. The Chief Procurement Officer is reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, member of the sanofi executive committee. The Procurement organization is divided into five Domains (Manufacturing & Supply, Marketing & Sales, Professional Services, Scientific & Medical and Digital) leveraging Global Procurement Operations and the Procurement Center of Excellence & Transformation.  The yearly spend coverage is around 15B€ with a special focus on Procurement excellence, Supplier Diversity and Sustainability. Closely collaborating with Finance, Business Operations and Business Units, Procurement is instrumental in achieving cost efficiency and savings. Procurement plays a critical role in optimizing Business Operational Impact with a focus on driving simplification, efficiency, and productivity. It forges strategic partnerships with suppliers, prioritizing innovation and data driven solutions. 

 Our Hubs are a crucial part of how we innovate, improving performance across every Sanofi department and providing a springboard for the amazing work we do. Build a career and you can be part of transforming our business while helping to change millions of lives.  Ready to push the limits of what’s possible? As Global Category Lead Buyer - Communication Agencies within the Marketing & Sales domain for our Barcelona hub, you will manage the Communication Agencies sub-categories: Creative, Production, Public Relations/Public Affairs, and Marketing Services. Reporting to the Global Category Manager Media & Comms, you will develop and execute sub-category strategies, build strong stakeholder partnerships, and lead strategic supplier governance to achieve procurement and business objectives. You will be accountable for optimizing Business Operational Impact (BOI) and delivering best-in-class savings year over year across all Sanofi Group entities globally.

Strategy & Governance 

·        Develop and execute innovative sub-category strategies aligned with market intelligence, risk assessment, budgets, and business needs

·        Deliver world-class savings targets and value creation through cost avoidance, inflation mitigation, and effectiveness improvements

·        Demonstrate procurement excellence in Total Cost of Ownership, Supplier Relationship Management, Market Intelligence, Risk Management, Innovation, CSR, HSE, and compliance

·        Build comprehensive global supplier market expertise

·        Establish optimal agency ecosystem through worldwide pitches and negotiations, ensuring clear regional implementation plans

·        Lead Global Business Reviews and Performance Management with key suppliers

Operations Management

 ·        Drive end-to-end sourcing processes including RFx, negotiations, and contract development

·        Design and execute competitive bidding strategies to secure best-value solutions

·        Develop and maintain sub-category roadmaps, including project and savings pipeline throughout budget cycles

·        Collaborate with Legal, Compliance, Internal Control, and Finance teams on complex global negotiations

·        Drive innovation through new supplier identification, technologies, and market opportunities

·        Implement risk mitigation strategies in partnership with Global Procurement Transformation & Excellence teams

·        Share market insights, industry benchmarks, and budget assumptions with key stakeholders

·        Leverage procurement middle and back-office services effectively

·        Support crisis management and audit processes

Stakeholder Management

·        Build and maintain strategic relationships with key business partners to ensure alignment with procurement strategy

·        Engage proactively with Global Business Units and Support Functions

·        Foster effective Business Partnering at corporate level across functions and Business Units

·        Work with Country Procurement Heads to ensure successful local strategy implementation Country Procurement Heads to ensure procurement strategies are applicable at local level 

About you

Experience

10+ years' experience in Procurement or related field.

Experience working in a creative agency is a plus.

Soft Skills/ Technical skills

The position requires sourcing professional skills with a strong ability to develop relationships within and across the different lines of business and throughout the Procurement organization, including transversal / project management skills in a multi-cultural and constantly evolving environment: 

·        Deep understanding of sub-categories and proven negotiation expertise

·        Experience with Creative/Production and/or Media agencies from either procurement, consulting, marketing, or agency perspective

·        Strategic mindset with strong results orientation

·        Comprehensive understanding of business operations, legal aspects, and performance metrics

·        Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities

·        Excellent communication and organizational skills

·        Proven ability to influence and collaborate across diverse teams

·        Experience managing complex, ambiguous business situations

·        Demonstrated success in matrix organizations across functions, countries, and cultures

·        Strong commitment to ethics, business integrity, and compliance

Education 

Minimum a degree from an accredited College or University 

Languages

Fluent in English. Other languages are a plus.

PursueProgress. Discover Extraordinary.

Progress doesn’t happen without people – people from different backgrounds, in different locations, doing different roles, all united by one thing: a desire to make miracles happen. You can be one of those people. Chasing change, embracing new ideas and exploring all the opportunities we have to offer. Let’s pursue Progress. And let’s discover Extraordinary together.

At Sanofi, we provide equal opportunities to all regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, or gender identity.

Watch our ALL IN video and check out our Diversity Equity and Inclusion actions at sanofi.com!

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