Global Category Head - Marketing Agencies

Major Accountabilities:

• Develop and own the Global Category Strategy for Marketing Agencies (Creative, PR, Medical Communications), ensuring alignment with Novartis Global Procurement strategies and business objectives.
• Align global strategy with local and regional procurement teams, ensuring effective implementation across markets (focus on US and International Top Markets).
• Manage and develop a high-performing team of 2–5 procurement professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Drive strategic supplier relationships, ensuring best-in-class partnerships with agencies to deliver value, innovation, and competitive advantage.
• Partner with senior business stakeholders (Global Marketing, Communications, Medical Affairs, etc.) to ensure procurement strategies fully support business needs and long-term objectives.
• Deliver measurable cost efficiencies, value creation, and process improvements while ensuring compliance with procurement policies and standards.
• Negotiate and oversee global agreements with marketing agencies, balancing cost, quality, innovation, and risk management.
• Provide thought leadership on trends in marketing procurement, ensuring Novartis remains at the forefront of best practices in supplier management and sourcing.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Delivery of cost savings, value, and innovation across the USD 800M spend.
• Alignment and successful implementation of global strategies across US and International Top Markets.
• Supplier performance and contribution to business growth.
• Team development and retention.

Minimum Requirements:

• Minimum of 10 years' experience in Procurement
• Proven track record in Procurement Leadership (ideally global or regional), with specific expertise in Marketing Agencies or related categories.
• Demonstrated success in critical negotiations, supplier relationship management, and stakeholder engagement at senior levels.
• Experience in developing and executing global category strategies and delivering measurable business impact.
• People leadership experience, managing and developing international teams.
• Strong background in project and change management.

Skills:

• Exceptional communication and influencing skills, able to engage credibly with senior business leaders and agency executives.
• Deep understanding of marketing services landscape (creative, PR, medical communications).
• Ability to drive innovation and continuous improvement in procurement practices.
• Strategic mindset combined with hands-on execution capabilities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Languages:

• Fluent English (both written and spoken).
• Additional languages are a plus.