Strategic Sourcing Manager

Title: Strategic Sourcing Manager Location: San Francisco, CA 94158 or New York, NY 10007 Duration :5 Months #89697 Pay Rate : $75-$80/hr Top Responsibilities Strategic Sourcing & Category Strategy: Drive spend optimization and category strategies for Creative, Production, and Experiential Events using market intelligence, spend analysis, and data-driven business cases. Contracting & Agency Management: Lead RFXs and negotiate complex commercial agreements (MSAs, SOWs, rate cards) with creative agencies, venues, staffing, and event logistics vendors. Cost Benchmarking & Operations: Partner with third-party production cost consultants to review bids, benchmark pricing, and ensure maximum ROI on marketing expenditures. Stakeholder & Vendor Management: Build cross-functional relationships, manage end-to-end vendor performance against targets, and lead project implementation and change management plans. Mandatory Requirements Candidates must at least 4 years of direct, hands-on experience in Creative and Production. Candidates must be senior enough to execute end-to-end sourcing, negotiate domain-specific contracts (SOWs, MSAs), and manage stakeholder relationships completely independently from day one. 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) Desired Skills 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.