Marketing Category Sourcing Manager

About the role

The Manager – Marketing Category Management leads strategic sourcing and category management for Dubai Holding Group Services’ marketing spend. This includes media buying, creative agencies, digital marketing, events, production, sponsorships, PR, research, CRM and consultancy services. Reporting to the Associate Director – Marketing Category, the role bridges procurement and marketing to deliver value, innovation and governance.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute marketing category strategies, maintain spend visibility and update plans based on market developments.
• Lead complex RFPs, RFIs and RFQs, create evaluation models, negotiate contracts and manage sourcing risks.
• Partner with senior marketing stakeholders to translate business needs into procurement plans and provide commercial advice.
• Conduct spend analysis, identify cost‑optimisation opportunities and report savings and value created.
• Apply AI tools for market research, spend analysis and supplier evaluation, and provide market intelligence and trend insights.
• Manage the full supplier lifecycle, including evaluation, onboarding, performance scorecards and continuous‑improvement initiatives.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Supply Chain Management, Procurement or Business Administration.
• 5‑10 years of relevant experience, including at least 2‑3 years in strategic sourcing or category management within a complex organisation.
• Proven track record of leading sourcing projects, commercial negotiations and supplier relationship management.

Required skills

• Market Intelligence
• Contract Development
• Category Management
• Supplier Evaluation
• Commercial Negotiation
• Strategic Sourcing
• Spend Analysis
• SAP Ariba
• Coupa