Category Manager, Public Relations

Introduction to role:

Are you ready to make a significant impact in the world of Public Relations? As the Associate Director, Global Procurement Public Relations, you'll be at the forefront of developing and executing global category strategies. Your expertise in indirect sourcing, particularly within advertising and marketing services, will be crucial as you partner with our Public Relations supplier partners. Collaborate with stakeholders across AstraZeneca Procurement and business units to drive category strategies, lead initiatives, and manage supplier performance and innovation. Are you prepared to take on this exciting challenge?

Accountabilities:

• Category Management Strategy Execution: Drive the development and execution of global category strategies for Public Relations, focusing on regional and cross-business unit plans within subcategories like creative and digital.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders to align on needs, outcomes, timelines, and risk profiles. Communicate recommendations clearly and persuasively.

• Market Intelligence: Provide insights on supply market dynamics, agency models, AdTech/Martech, and measurement best practices to inform strategy refreshes and business cases.

• Supplier Analysis & Management: Maintain an understanding of the supplier ecosystem, including trends, threats, and opportunities for creative agencies.

• SRM Support: Manage supplier relationship governance for assigned agencies/suppliers, including performance scorecards and corrective action plans. Coordinate engagements across therapeutic areas and markets.

• Financial, Cost, and Spend Analysis: Analyze spend patterns to identify value opportunities. Prepare analyses for savings, cost avoidance, quality, and growth/value delivery.

• Chemistry-Driven Project Management: Lead chemistry sessions across creative, PR, and media, including requirements definition and recommendation development.

• Outsourcing and TCO: Support make/buy assessments and total cost of ownership analysis to guide partner selection.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Facilitate cross-functional teams through structured decision-making and project milestones.

• Negotiations, Contracts, and Risk Management: Develop and execute negotiation strategies for various commercial models. Partner with Legal on risk management.

• Governance: Ensure adherence to AstraZeneca policies, ethical standards, and sustainability expectations across all engagements.

Essential Skills/Experience:

• 6+ years of experience in strategy, operations, and/or procurement within a sophisticated environment, preferably across Public Relations and marketing services categories.

• Subject matter expertise in indirect and marketing-related spend categories, including media and measurement.

• Bachelor’s degree required.

• Demonstrated experience in data analysis, spend analytics, and should-cost modeling.

• Experience managing complex supplier relationships and performance routines.

• Proficiency in advanced negotiations across varied commercial models and deal structures, including media transparency and audit provisions.

• Business Partnering - Collaborative, proactive, and solution-oriented; able to translate business and brand objectives into procurement strategies and tangible outcomes.

• Analytical Rigor - Strong analytical skills with experience in data analysis, spend analytics, and should-cost modeling; familiarity with media efficiency/effectiveness metrics and measurement methodologies is a plus.

• Execution Excellence - Proven project management skills; comfortable balancing multiple priorities, stakeholders, and timelines in a matrixed environment.

• Influence and Communication - Clear, concise communicator who can influence without authority and present persuasive recommendations to business leaders.

• Growth Mindset - Demonstrates curiosity, accountability, and continuous improvement; builds constructive, trust-based relationships with suppliers and stakeholders.

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Direct experience in advertising, PR, or related marketing procurement categories is a plus.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

At AstraZeneca, we embrace change to deliver greater value. Our industry is rapidly evolving with digital transformation at its core. Procurement is becoming more strategic and value-adding than ever before. Here, you'll find an international team that celebrates diversity of experience and skills. We thrive on collaboration and innovation, stepping outside our comfort zones to continuously improve. With a strategic mindset and entrepreneurial spirit, you'll have the opportunity to reinvent commercial decisions that impact lives globally.

Ready to take the next step in your career? Apply now to join our dynamic team at AstraZeneca!

Date Posted

03-Nov-2025

Closing Date

17-Nov-2025

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity.  We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills.  We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.  We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics.  We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.