Senior Category Manager

We help partners understand the changing advertising landscape. Specialising in audience measurement, consumer targeting and in-depth intelligence into paid, owned and earned media, their global coverage and local expertise enable better understanding of media audiences and their relationships with brands.

Job Details Fifty5Blue is a global leader in media measurement and analytics, operating in more than 80 countries.

We bring clarity to complexity. Our independent, hybrid cross-media audience measurement combines trusted audience panels with large-scale data to establish a single, coherent view across platforms and markets. This gives content owners, advertisers, agencies and platforms the clarity and confidence to develop content and plan advertising decisively.

With deep expertise across global media systems, we design integrated, comparable measurement frameworks that support a more consistent and accountable media market.

Job Title: Senior Category Manager

Location: London, Westgate

Employment Type: Permanent

Department: Procurement

• This is a full-time permanent position, based in our London office. We operate on a hybrid working arrangement and require a minimum of 2 days in the office. We welcome all applications from those with the legal right to live and work permanently in the UK, without requiring VISA sponsorship now or in the future.

Overview An exciting opportunity to join a greenfield Procurement function in a fast moving, dynamic global environment. The role will help manage approximately $95m of spend across Technology and Operations, combining operational sourcing with selected central technology category activities.

Reporting to the Technology and Operations Procurement Director, the Senior Category Manager will work closely with Technology and Operations leaders to develop and implement procurement strategies, lead go to market activities and improve how the categories operate. The role will primarily focus on Operations related spend, primarily Data, Insights & Research Services, alongside selected Technology category activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead category strategies across Data Acquisition, Research Services, Panel & Incentive Management Services, while supporting selected Technology procurement initiatives and strategic supplier relationships.
• Lead end to end sourcing and go to market activities, including requirements definition, market engagement, evaluation, negotiation, contracting and implementation.
• Take ownership of established and developing categories, simplifying fragmented activity and introducing clear processes, governance and sourcing strategies.
• Make procurement easier for stakeholders by creating practical, efficient ways of working while maintaining appropriate commercial controls.
• Deliver measurable savings, cost avoidance and wider commercial value through spend analysis, demand management, supplier negotiation and effective implementation.

Skills And Knowledge Required

• Typically 7–8 years of procurement or category management experience in a fast-moving global environment.
• Strong category experience across either Technology or Marketing, with the ability to understand market dynamics, cost drivers and supplier pricing models.
• Proven experience taking ownership of a category, streamlining fragmented activity and putting effective processes, governance and strategies in place.
• A track record of improving the stakeholder experience while delivering measurable savings and commercial value.
• Strong sourcing, negotiation and contracting capability, supported by sound commercial judgement.
• Experience working with global stakeholders and suppliers across complex, cross-functional organisations.
• Excellent communication skills for effective collaboration with internal teams and external partners.
• Strong analytical capability, including spend analysis, financial evaluation and using data to identify opportunities and support decisions.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with a practical approach to removing complexity and resolving operational challenges
• Working knowledge of supplier risk and performance management; deep TPRM expertise is not required.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Bachelors Degree and/or MCIPS.

Our offer Our specialist expertise, pioneering technology and commitment to innovation provide the ideal envi…