Global Category Manager - Events & Sponsorships

Global Category Manager - Events & Sponsorships
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At SAP, we keep it simple: you bring your best to us, and we'll bring out the best in you. We're builders touching over 20 industries and 80% of global commerce; we need your unique talents to help shape what’s next. It’s challenging but meaningful. You’ll find a place to be yourself, prioritize wellbeing, and truly belong. What you’ll gain: constant learning, skill growth, great benefits, and a team that wants you to grow and succeed.

About the role
As the

Global Category Manager for Events & Sponsorships

within

Global Marketing Procurement , you will play a pivotal role in shaping one of the company’s most visible and strategically important marketing spend areas. Operating with a truly global remit, you will lead high‑complexity, cross‑regional strategic initiatives and define the long‑term vendor and sourcing strategy for your category.

You will

own and drive the global Events & Sponsorships category strategy - establishing the vendor landscape, building global sourcing frameworks, and implementing robust governance structures that ensure consistency, transparency, and sustainable value delivery. Your leadership will be instrumental in elevating procurement’s strategic contribution to the business, ensuring both control and agility in how the category is managed.

In close partnership with senior marketing stakeholders, you will position procurement as a trusted strategic advisor. You will help transform how events and sponsorships are planned, sourced, and executed across the organization, bringing forward more integrated, data‑driven, and scalable ways of working.

As a global connector, you will provide functional leadership to regional procurement teams, ensuring alignment with global priorities while supporting regional needs. You will also champion the use of data, digital tools, and AI‑enabled capabilities to modernize the category, increase visibility, and unlock new opportunities for innovation and long‑term value creation.

What you’ll do
Strategic Leadership, Collaboration & Value Delivery

Define and execute the global Events & Sponsorships category strategy

in close collaboration with senior stakeholders, aligned with overall business objectives.

Provide functional leadership to regional teams , fostering strong collaboration, capability development, and best‑practice sharing.

Identify, deliver, and track sustainable financial value

and long‑term impact.

Act as a strategic advisor to senior stakeholders , shaping decision‑making through procurement expertise.

Category Management & Procurement Excellence

Lead complex global sourcing initiatives , including high‑value eRFX processes and commercial negotiations.

Establish and oversee robust governance structures

to drive alignment, transparency, and consistent, sustainable outcomes.

Harmonize source‑to‑pay, contracting, and vendor management processes

across regions.

Leverage data, analytics, and digital tools

– including AI – to enhance visibility, performance management, and decision‑making.

Drive the implementation and adoption of digital and event‑management solutions

to increase operational efficiency, transparency, and scalability.

Build and manage strategic partnerships with key vendors , leveraging SRM practices to drive innovation and long‑term value.

Oversee vendor performance across value, quality, and ESG dimensions.

Ensure compliance with procurement policies and source‑to‑pay standards.

Sustainability (ESG) & Real‑World Impact

Define and implement category

ESG strategies , translating corporate targets into actionable procurement measures.

Identify and drive real‑world measures (e.g., CO₂ reduction, sustainable event formats, supplier transparency).

Own ESG performance, including baseline definition and tracking with controlling, sustainability, and audit.

Lead supplier ESG programs (engagement, capability building, performance improvement).

Embed sustainability criteria into sourcing and supplier decisions to deliver measurable impact.

What you bring
Required experience & qualifications

Experience & Expertise

10+ years of strategic procurement experience , including the design and execution of complex sourcing strategies and high‑value, multi‑market negotiations.

Strong background in marketing procurement with expertise in events & sponsorships.

Proven track record in developing and implementing global category strategies

within complex, multinational environments.

Demonstrated experience leading cross‑regional and cross‑functional collaboration , aligning diverse business priorities and driving unified outcomes.

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

Strong leadership presence

with excellent communication, advisory, and influencing skills.

Ability to effectively engage, challenge, and align senior stakeholders

across functions and geographies.

Experience building and operationalizing governance structures and operating models

that ensure accountability, transparency, and sustainable results.

Digital, Analytical & Transformation Capabilities

Strong proficiency in leveraging data, analytics, and digital tools

to generate actionable insights and performance improvements.

Experience implementing strategic meeting management solutions and relevant technology platforms

in cross‑functional setups.

Exposure to AI‑enabled procurement, automation, and digital transformation initiatives.

Qualifications

University degree in Business, Economics, Supply Chain Management, Marketing, Communications, or a related field.

Professional procurement certification (or equivalent practical experience).

Fluency in English, both written and spoken; additional languages are a plus.

Skills that support success

Advanced stakeholder collaboration and clear communication skills.

Structured, analytical approach to problem solving.

Deep understanding of supply markets and value drivers within events & sponsorships.

Experience working within an event agency, experiential marketing agency, or sponsorship agency is a strong plus.

Ability to work effectively in cross‑functional and international environments.

Ability to apply and optimize AI technologies, i.e., generative AI and AI‑driven decision making.

Learning agility and comfort navigating change.

Structured decision‑making in complex, global environments.

Benefits

A balanced work environment that supports both career growth and personal well‑being.

Diverse perspectives and an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive.

A collaborative spirit that drives innovation and continuous improvement.

Equal Opportunity
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their age, race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, etc.), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or disability. SAP is committed to the values of equal employment opportunity and provides accessibility accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you require accommodation to complete your application, please email Recruiting Operations at

Careers@sap.com .

Compensation Range Transparency
SAP provides the annualized compensation range inclusive of base salary and variable incentive target for the career level applicable to the posted role. The targeted combined range for this position is $142,500 – $242,300 USD. Actual amount offered will be within that range, dependent on key aspects of each case, including education, skills, experience, scope of the role, location, etc. Any variable incentive includes a targeted dollar amount and actual payout is dependent on company performance. For a summary of SAP benefits and eligibility requirements, visit SAP North America Benefits.

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