Procurement Associate Director-Global Marketing & Sales

Job Description

This role will be responsible for the overall strategy and team of buyers supporting Global Marketing & Sales external spend for Duracell. The Associate Director will own developing and executing sourcing strategies that drive value, innovation, and operational excellence across all marketing categories. This role ensures the effective procurement of marketing and sales services, while aligning with the organization's brand, financial, and strategic goals. By partnering closely with internal marketing stakeholders and external agencies, the Associate Director leads initiatives to optimize agency performance, improve cost efficiency, and ensure compliance with company policies and industry standards. The position plays a critical role in enabling marketing effectiveness and return on investment (ROI) through strategic supplier relationship management and continuous improvement of procurement practices.

Responsibilities

• Develop and Execute Marketing Procurement Strategy

• Lead the development of category strategies for all marketing and sales spend areas

• Align procurement strategies with the company’s marketing goals, brand vision, and overall business objectives.

• Stakeholder Collaboration

• Partner with senior marketing leaders to understand business needs and ensure procurement solutions support campaign effectiveness and innovation.

• Act as a strategic advisor to marketing teams on sourcing options, agency capabilities, and industry trends.

• Agency Management and Negotiation

• Identify, evaluate, and manage relationships with marketing agencies, media partners, and other suppliers.

• Cost Optimization and Budget Accountability

• Drive cost efficiencies without compromising quality or brand integrity.

• Support marketing budget planning and forecasting through robust spend analysis and insights.

• Process Improvement and Governance

• Standardize procurement processes across global or regional marketing functions to improve transparency and speed.

• Ensure adherence to procurement policies and promote best practices.

• Market Intelligence and Innovation

• Stay current on market trends, emerging agencies, and innovations in marketing technology and channels.

• Encourage the adoption of new ideas and partnerships that enhance marketing effectiveness.

• Team Leadership and Development

• Lead and develop a high-performing marketing and sales procurement team.

• Foster a collaborative, results-driven culture focused on continuous improvement and stakeholder satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Minimum of Bachelor's Degree in related field.

• Depth of Procurement mastery

• 6-8 years of related direct experience

• Candidate will demonstrate strong depth and mastery in the function, with a track record of experience in Indirect Purchasing, ideally in Marketing and/or Media. Candidate can articulate the skills they have developed because of their function experience (sourcing strategy, supplier relationship management, negotiations, contract execution, analytics & insights, etc.). An added plus if the candidate has experience in teaching/coaching Purchasing skills to others.

• Leadership and ability to work independently

• Candidate will be a proactive leader and “self-starter”, who can drive projects and business opportunities forward in collaboration with multi-functional partners. Candidate will be able to effectively identify opportunities, align management, and independently deliver progress and results.

• Superior written and verbal communication

• Candidate will have a strength in superior communication skills, demonstrating clarity, concise, and compelling communication in both written and verbal formats. Candidate will be able to connect across multiple functions, with strong soft skills.

• Demonstrated talent in influencing others

• Candidate will be skilled in building relationships with cross-functional stakeholders, understanding motivations, and identifying common goals. Ability to influence others based on common objectives and Procurement priorities.

• Experienced in coaching, developing, and upskilling talent

• Candidate will have a breadth of experience in managing and coaching others, with a focus on superior performance management and bringing out the best in direct reports. Competent and comfortable with candid conversations to help team members understand how to upskill their contributions.

• Versatile leader who has learning and operating agility across multiple business needs

• This role will require a candidate who has the interest and ability to learn quickly, demonstrate a growth mindset, and jump into various business needs where they may or may not have previous experience. Candidate will be able to zero in on the business need, as key questions to get started, and enroll management for help where needed.

About Us

Duracell is the world’s leading manufacturer and marketer of high-performance alkaline batteries, complemented by a portfolio of high quality, market leading specialty, rechargeable and professional batteries. Duracell’s products power numerous critical professional devices across the globe such as heart rate monitors, defibrillators, telemetry devices, smoke detectors, fire alarms, automated valves and security systems. As the leader in the professional power category, Duracell has a rich history of innovation, continuously introducing batteries that are smaller, thinner, with more energy and longer lasting than competitive brands. Since March 2016, Duracell has found its permanent home within Berkshire Hathaway (ranked #4 World's Most Admired Companies by Fortune Magazine and #3 in the Fortune 500), and will continue to focus on sustainable growth, industry-leading innovation while creating long-term value for our customers and consumers. At Duracell, integrity, end-to-end accountability across all levels, fast decision-making and a “can do” attitude is highly valued.