Manager - Sourcing (Marketing) - Dubai Holding Group Services

About Dubai Holding Group Services:Group Services is Dubai Holding’s shared business services arm that provides consolidated business solutions in procurement, finance and human capital across the Group. With a commitment to talent, digital innovation and continuous improvement, it delivers best-in-class service, enhancing the Group's overall performance.Group Services is dedicated to transforming operations, elevating service quality and cultivating specialised teams focused on excellence and innovation.Group Services comprises:Group Services Procurement delivers end-to-end value through strategic sourcing, supplier management, and contracting. Enabled by advanced technology, streamlined processes, strong governance, and data-driven insights, it ensures responsible sourcing, cost efficiency, and operational excellence.Group Services Finance manages financial transactions, budgeting, and reporting to ensure strong fiscal health and cash flow. It empowers informed decision-making through insights that drive sustainable growth and profitability.Group Services Human Capital manages the full employee lifecycle, ensuring a smooth journey from recruitment to offboarding while fostering a culture that values and supports people—the Group’s greatest asset.Empowering talent for the future:Group Services’ greatest strength lies in its people; their collective capabilities serve as the driving force of the company. Dedicated to creating a vibrant talent hub where challenging the norm leads to innovation, collaboration fuels creativity and caring for people and partners cultivates strong relationships, Group Services aims to build a foundation for sustained success.As a business that views success as a shared journey and celebrates every achievement along the way, Group Services offers the opportunity to grow, develop skills and make a meaningful impact.Dubai Holding Group Services proudly supports a diverse portfolio of companies, including:Dubai Holding Real EstateDubai Holding EntertainmentDubai Holding Community ManagementDubai Holding Land EstatesDubai Holding HospitalityDubai Holding InvestmentsDubai Holding Asset ManagementAbout the Job:The Manager - Marketing Category Management is responsible for executing strategic sourcing and category management activities across DH GS Marketing spend categories, including media buying, creative agencies, digital marketing, events, production, sponsorships, public relations, research, CRM, and consultancy services. Working under the guidance of the Associate Director – Marketing Category, the role implements category strategies, conducts spend and market analysis, leads sourcing projects, and supports supplier evaluation, selection, and performance management. Acting as a key interface between Procurement and Marketing stakeholders, the Manager ensures sourcing activities align with business priorities, deliver value and innovation, strengthen governance, and comply with established procurement processes. The role balances strategic category management with tactical procurement delivery, including requisition processing and the end-to-end execution of RFPs and RFQs.Key Role and Responsibilities:Category Strategy Development & ManagementDevelop and execute Marketing category strategies aligned with business objectives and procurement priorities.Maintain category plans, sourcing pipelines, spend visibility, and delivery roadmaps.Review category performance and refresh strategies in response to business needs, market developments, and performance results.Strategic Sourcing ManagementLead complex RFPs, RFIs, RFQs, and strategic sourcing initiatives across assigned Marketing categories.Develop sourcing strategies, evaluation models, negotiation plans, and award recommendations aligned with business requirements.Identify and manage sourcing risks, dependencies, and implementation requirements, escalating material issues as appropriate.Business PartneringAct as a trusted strategic procurement partner to senior Marketing stakeholders and executive leadership, building strong relationships and aligning category priorities with business objectives.Translate business requirements into clear, executable procurement, sourcing, and supplier-management plans, supported by proactive demand planning and an efficient sourcing pipeline.Provide timely, commercially sound advice on procurement processes, sourcing options, risks, trade-offs, and delivery priorities to enable informed decision-making.Execution Excellence & AdherenceExecute procurement activities in accordance with approved policies, governance standards, ethical sourcing requirements, and delegated authority.Balance strategic category priorities with tactical procurement delivery, including requisition processing and end-to-end RFP, RFI, and RFQ execution.Maintain accurate sourcing documentation, evaluation records, approvals, and audit trails.Spend Analysis and Cost SavingsConduct spend and demand analysis to identify cost optimisation, consolidation, and value creation opportunities.Develop business cases and commercial scenarios that improve total cost, service quality, and commercial outcomes.Track, validate, and report savings, cost avoidance, and wider value delivered through sourcing initiatives.AI Adoption, Market Intelligence and AnalysisDemonstrate AI adoption by applying approved AI tools and responsible practices to day-to-day procurement tasks, including research, spend analysis, sourcing documentation, supplier evaluation, reporting, and stakeholder communication.Provide market intelligence, industry benchmarks, supplier landscape assessments, and agency remuneration insights.Monitor emerging Marketing trends, commercial models, innovation, and supply-market risks.Translate external insights into actionable recommendations for category strategies, sourcing decisions, and negotiations.Supplier Relationship ManagementLead the end-to-end supplier lifecycle, including evaluation, selection, due diligence, onboarding, segmentation, and performance management.Establish and manage supplier governance frameworks, scorecards, business reviews, issue escalation, corrective actions, and continuous-improvement plans.Build strategic supplier relationships and drive innovation, capability development, service improvement, and measurable value creation.Lead commercial negotiations and partner with relevant stakeholders on contract development, implementation, compliance, renewal, and ongoing management to secure sustainable commercial and service outcomes.About You:QualificationsBachelor’s degree in Marketing, Supply Chain Management, Procurement or Business Administration.CIPS Level 4 or an equivalent recognised professional procurement qualification is an advantage.Higher-level certification is a plus.Experience5-10 years of relevant business experience within a complex organisation, including procurement experience and at least 2–3 years in strategic sourcing or category management; experience within Marketing or Marketing Procurement is an advantage.Demonstrated experience leading sourcing projects, commercial evaluations, negotiations, and supplier relationship management.Practical experience using procurement and e-sourcing platforms, such as SAP Ariba, Coupa, or comparable systems.Skills/CompetenciesStrong subject-matter knowledge of Marketing categories, agency operating models, commercial structures, and relevant supply markets.Advanced knowledge of end-to-end strategic sourcing, supplier evaluation, commercial negotiation, and contract development and management.Proficiency in spend, demand, cost, and market analysis, including benchmarking and development of robust commercial scenarios.Practical knowledge of ERP, procurement, contract-management, and e-sourcing platforms, with the ability to apply approved digital and AI tools responsibly.Strong analytical capability to interpret complex data, assess commercial and supplier risks, and translate findings into actionable sourcing recommendations and decision-ready insights.About the Benefits:At Dubai Holding, we are committed to nurturing the success and well-being of our colleagues. Join our dynamic and diverse team and enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes competitive compensation, career development opportunities, and a collaborative work environment. We strongly believe in creating an empowered workforce that will help us build a connected city for tomorrow. We are committed to attracting the brightest minds and nurturing pioneering candidates who aspire to make a meaningful impact on the future of Dubai.