Strategic Sourcing Manager

Strategic Sourcing Manager

Location: San Francisco, CA 94158 or New York, NY 10007 Duration: 5 Months 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

• At least 4 years of direct, hands-on experience in Creative and Production.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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

• 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.