What are the responsibilities and job description for the Strategic Sourcing Manager position at IMCS Group?
Title: Strategic Sourcing Manager
Location: San Francisco, CA/New York, NY
Duration: 3 months(possible extension)
Schedule: Hybrid (T/W/Th in office)
Must Have: Strong background in Strategic Sourcing with deep expertise in these Marketing categories—specifically Policy & Comms, Market Research, B2B Marketing, and Media, Creative and Production
Role Summary:
The Senior Analyst, Strategic Sourcing – Marketing will provide strategic sourcing support to the Creative/Production and Events category, including oversight of third-party production cost consultancy engagements. This role is responsible for assessing supply markets and spend to identify sourcing opportunities, managing lower-complexity sourcing initiatives from development through execution, and supporting more complex initiatives and change
management efforts. The role partners closely with internal stakeholders, suppliers, agencies, and category leaders to drive value, improve vendor performance, and deliver against category objectives.
Key Responsibilities:
● Build strong relationships and effectively partner across varied functions with key internal stakeholders, external suppliers, agencies, and colleagues to influence change.
● Provide strategic support to Creative/Production and Events-related spend.
● Proactively generate category sourcing options and partner with leaders to implement and manage those strategies.
● Conduct supply market assessments and spend analysis to identify sourcing opportunities and improve return on expenditures across assigned categories.
● Develop, evaluate, and present business cases and cost/benefit analyses to stakeholders.
● Communicate proactively with stakeholders throughout the sourcing lifecycle.
● Maintain a strong understanding of supply and demand dynamics and remain routinely informed of market conditions and industry trends.
● Participate in negotiation strategy development and lead the competitive negotiation process for assigned initiatives.
● Conduct competitive RFXs as needed.
● Review and negotiate SOWs, MSAs, and rate cards with creative, production, and experiential event agencies and vendors.
● Support the administration of third-party production cost consultancy engagements, including bid review and cost benchmarking.
● Source and manager vendors supporting experiential and events, including venue, production, staffing, and logistic suppliers.
● Develop implementation and change management plans for projects.
● Drive performance of associated vendors and support achievement of defined category performance targets.
● Provide input and support for continuous improvement programs within the organization.
● Leverage industry experts, associations, peers, and stakeholders to identify and benchmark best practices.
Minimum Qualifications:
● Minimum 4 years of professional experience in marketing management consulting, strategic sourcing in marketing, supply chain, or a related field.
● Experience analyzing spend, assessing supply markets, and identifying sourcing opportunities.
● Experience supporting or leading sourcing initiatives, including RFXs and supplier negotiations.
● Strong analytical skills with the ability to develop and present business cases and cost/benefit analyses.
● Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to advise stakeholders and influence decisions.
● Ability to take initiative, operate within prescribed parameters, and implement work with minimal guidance.
● Experience negotiating with creative, production, or experiential event agencies and vendors.
● Familiarity with common commercial models (e.g. firm bid vs cost plus, hourly rate cards, retainer structures)
Preferred Qualifications:
● Experience supporting marketing-related categories specifically Creative/Production and Events.
● Experience with supplier performance management and change management.
● Strong Excel, data analysis, and presentation skills.
● Experience working in a matrixed environment with multiple stakeholder groups.
● Familiarity with industry associations such as the ANA, WFA, AICP, or AICE.
● Experience with SOW/contract management tools.
● Exposure to production cost consultancy or bid review processes for creative/production work.
Salary : $72 - $77