Senior Category Manager, Marketing

Visa is a world leader in payments and technology, with over 259 billion payments transactions flowing safely between consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and government entities in more than 200 countries and territories each year. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable, and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive while driven by a common purpose – to uplift everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid.

Make an impact with a purpose-driven industry leader. Join us today and experience Life at Visa.

Job Description

What’s it all about?

Visa Europe Sourcing

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.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

BUSINESS – “Shape & Deliver Value”

• Uses a more-developed business and industry knowledge to help decision making.
• Drives the implementation of process improvements.
• Partners with internal and external clients to identify and drive information and process improvement needs.
• Translates business goals and proposals into functional projects, plans and supplier relationships. Brings business and functional perspectives together, helping the business to see the potential and impact of functional recommendations.

TECHNICAL – “Drive Functional Excellence & Innovation”

• Proficient use of data and technical expertise to guide decision making.
• Creates deliverables in line with business/financial plans, and regulations.
• Manages and monitors the implementation of smaller projects and processes with minimal supervision.
• Drives cross-functional teams, influences stakeholders in the decision-making process.
• Implements best-in-class techniques in completing work product.

LEADERSHIP – “Set Direction & Orchestrate Change”

• Demonstrates ability to exercise latitude and independence in assignments.
• Communicates well with others within the job function.
• Influences others within job sub-function regarding practices, procedures and policies.
• Leads global peer and stakeholder teams to enable and drive global solutions.

Role Accountabilities

Visa is a dynamic environment thus there are likely to be some changes in responsibilities and priorities over time and so we are looking for someone who has a flexible approach, embracing Visa Europe’s agility.

Category Management & Operating Model

• 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.

Functional Planning & Performance

• 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.

Performance Management & Reporting

• Report on Category progress and performance using key metrics.
• Undertake supplier management activities for key strategic suppliers.

Governance & Best Practice

• 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.

Capability Development & Communications

• Incorporate digital tools, analytics, and emerging technologies (including AI/Agentic AI) to streamline operations and accelerate innovation.
• Drive continuous improvements and support digitalization.
• Support the delivery of a compelling strategy and plan that mobilises the cross-functional teams and partners.
• Lead medium complex change initiatives with disciplined execution, strong governance, and effective communication. Reporting delivery and achievement against plan and objectives.
• Represent Europe Sourcing internally and externally, enhancing the function’s reputation and strategic value.

Location: London, England

Role Type: Full Time Employee

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

Qualifications

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 how 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.

Nice to have:

• Postgraduate procurement accreditation (MCIPS or MIIAPS).
• Experience in financial service, 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 complex stakeholder matrix.

Additional 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.