Procurement Category Manager - HR, Professional Services and other costs

Job Description:

We dream. We Do. We Deliver  

About Merkle 
Merkle, a dentsu company, powers the experience economy. For more than 35 years, we have put people at the heart of its approach to digital business transformation. As the only integrated experience consultancy in the world with a heritage in data science and our performance, Merkle delivers holistic, experiences that promote growth, engagement, and loyalty. Merkle's expertise has earned recognition as a "Leader" by top industry analyst firms, in categories such as digital transformation and commerce, experience design, engineering and technology integration, digital marketing, data science, CRM and loyalty, and customer data management. With more than 16,000 employees, Merkle operates in 30+ countries throughout the Americas, EMEA, and APAC. For more information, visit www.merkle.com. 

Job Description: 

The Procurement Category Manager for HR, Professional Services, and Other Costs will be responsible for developing and implementing procurement strategies across these categories. This role involves managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts, and ensuring cost-effective and high-quality services.

Key Responsibilities:  

• Perform spend analysis for the categories
• Develop and execute procurement strategies for HR services, professional services, and other indirect costs.
• Identify, evaluate, and manage relationships with suppliers, ensuring they meet quality and cost standards.
• Negotiate contracts and agreements to secure the best terms and conditions.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand their needs and align procurement strategies accordingly.
• Monitor market trends and conduct benchmarking to ensure competitive pricing and innovative solutions.
• Manage the end-to-end procurement process, from sourcing to contract execution, ensuring compliance with company policies and regulations.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimize procurement processes and deliver cost savings.
• Prepare and present reports on procurement activities, performance metrics, and cost savings to senior management.

Qualifications:  

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in procurement, with a focus on HR and professional services.
• Strong negotiation and contract management skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.

We do not sponsor work visa.   

For those who don’t have Portuguese documents (NIF and NISS), we suggest you to search for more information at local country Social Security entities, as well as on SEF (Serviços Estrangeiros e Fronteiras), for possible roles in Merkle Portugal. 

Additional information 

Benefits and perks: 

• Cutting Edge Technology & Latest IT tools; 

• Software-house environment; 

• Agile and Flexible working hours; 

• Hybrid work system (remote friendly); 

• Digital nomad policy; 

• Focus on career development; 

• Health insurance (also included for