Overview

Visa Europe Sourcing has an opportunity for a highly motivated, experienced, and results-driven Marketing Senior Category Manager, to join our team and help us to lead the change, further elevate the procurement function and cement strategic business partnerships. Are you interested in driving efficiencies? Do you like to challenge the status quo? Can you bring leading practice thinking and solutions? Do you pride yourself on close, strategic stakeholder and supplier relationship? Are you experienced and ambitious Marketing Category expert? Do you enjoy working in cross-functional and cross-border teams? If this inspires and sounds familiar, please contact us because we would like to talk to you!

Role Summary: This role is to initially lead brand category sourcing including Media, Content & Production - reporting to Europe Head of Marketing Category, and the successful candidate will have experience of all marketing buying categories at both strategic and tactical level. Geographical scope is Europe and where requested provide support to the Global Sourcing teams and regional teams.

Role Details

Location: London, England

Role Type: Full Time Employee

Location: Hybrid, 3 days per week in the London Office (Paddington)

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Brand Category including Media, Content & Production to support business objectives.
• Execute strategic and tactical sourcing activities.
• Incorporate responsible sourcing objectives into category activities.
• Support and nurture future talent within the Visa Europe Sourcing team.
• Manage Category spend, supplier relationships, and opportunities, developing and maintaining Preferred Supplier Lists (PSL) and manage Tail spend.
• Develop and execute Category strategies, plans, and projects.
• Act as a Sourcing Business Partner to Marketing teams in the UK and Europe, ensuring end-to-end responsibilities for Sourcing activities.
• Through strong relationships with business stakeholders, understand Marketing strategies, plans, and priorities to be able to better support business objectives.
• Report on Category progress and performance using key metrics.
• Undertake supplier management activities for key strategic suppliers.
• Deliver financial and other business values through leading practices; operate data-driven, risk-aware culture that integrates sustainability, inclusion, and ethical decision-making.
• Identify efficiency opportunities in the sourcing process and deliver using Lean Six Sigma and other process optimisation tools.
• Ensure robust risk management, control frameworks, and audit readiness to maintain functional resilience across European markets.
• Support an inclusive, psychologically safe environment that encourages curiosity, accountability, and collaboration.
• Incorporate digital tools, analytics, and emerging technologies (including AI/Agentic AI) to streamline operations and accelerate innovation.
• Drive continuous improvements and support digitalization; represent Europe Sourcing internally and externally, enhancing the function’s reputation and strategic value.

Governance & Capabilities

• Deliver capabilities through governance & best practice; operate a data-driven culture with consideration for sustainability, inclusion, and ethical decision-making.
• Lead medium complex change initiatives with disciplined execution and strong governance.
• Lead global peer and stakeholder teams to enable and drive global solutions.
• Lead and drive sourcing activities with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

Qualifications – Must Have

• Educated to degree level, preferably in Supply Chain, Business and/or Marketing.
• 7-12 years’ experience in Marketing Category.
• Advanced procurement and sourcing technical and analytical skills and strong knowledge of what good looks like.
• Broad experience in all Marketing sub-categories, relevant suppliers and market dynamics, business models, contract negotiations, implementation, and supplier relationship management.
• Project leadership skills with experience in delivering large and complex Sourcing projects.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to build collaborative relationships.
• Energy, pace, and an impeccable track record of delivery.

Qualifications – Nice to Have

• Postgraduate procurement accreditation (MCIPS or MIIAPS).
• Experience in financial services, FinTech or technology organisations.
• Lean Six Sigma, white or yellow belt.
• Experience of media and programmatic in-housing.
• Operating in a large, multi-country region with a complex stakeholder matrix.

General Information

Visa is an EEO Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Visa will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with EEOC guidelines and applicable local law.