Category Lead

WHO ARE WE?
Welcome to the world of L'Oréal, where we create the beauty that moves the world. Some call us the world's largest startup, and that's because for over a century, we've dedicated our energy, innovation, and scientific excellence to bringing everyone in the world the best of beauty in terms of quality, effectiveness, safety, and responsibility.
4 divisions, 36 global brands, 86,000 employees in 135 markets.
At L'Oréal Canada, we are a dynamic company focused on innovation and entrepreneurship. Join our team to help influence global brands in the Canadian market, and to discover the latest technologies created for a rapidly evolving industry. L'Oréal offers equal employment opportunities for all.
A DAY IN THE LIFE
As a Category Lead, you will be responsible for overseeing Requests for Proposals (RFPs) related to Marketing purchases, in order to identify agencies for marketing strategy development, content creation, consumer engagement analysis, as well as any other marketing-related projects, excluding in-store promotional material. The Category Lead will be responsible for launching and managing RFPs to identify the panel of suppliers, with the objective of supporting marketing and digital teams as well as innovation and performance, all in accordance with the Group's purchasing strategies and policies.

**RESPONSIBILITIES**:
At L'Oréal, no two days are alike As a category lead, you will be responsible for:

- Analyzing and challenging the needs of internal clients: recommending the best solution/option in a complex environment. Proposing optimal solutions. Challenging needs and optimizing resource costs using the VA (Value Analysis) methodology.
- Defining the purchasing strategy: defining the supplier panel best suited to the company's needs (for a division or a category). Developing a good knowledge of the market for its categories. Driving changes in market structure. Identifying, creating, and re-evaluating the strategies for its categories.
- Optimizing costs: Challenging the cost and remuneration model. Identifying value creation opportunities by using the value chain approach, supplier recommendations, and internal resources. Developing and implementing TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) initiatives. Valuing innovative ideas.
- Anticipating team needs and acting proactively: Identifying internal client needs and developing the strategy for its category. Animating its network, sharing best practices, and influencing peers. Ensuring its strategy is effective and competitive.
- Maximizing supplier relationships: Challenging, improving, or developing a long-term vision concerning the supplier panel strategy. Leading improvement projects with strategic suppliers. Identifying suppliers that drive innovation.
- Creating value and innovating: Leading strategic projects, integrating, and influencing people on projects. Proposing and implementing innovative options to improve company performance. Adapting communication to stakeholders. Ensuring change management is integrated into the execution plan.
- Negotiating with integrity: Managing complex negotiations. Knowing how to deal with complex people and situations (differences of opinion).
- Acting according to internal control principles and legal rules: Negotiating complex contracts or commercial agreements (high stakes or multi-division/region/domain). Managing contract non-compliance and handling potential crises.
- Assessing and managing risks: Managing risk exposure, anticipating operational risks, and implementing action plans to mitigate risks.
- Managing performance and efficiency: Building cost forecasts. Validating budgetary assumptions with decision-making stakeholders. Ensuring reliable PPV (Purchase Price Variance), proposing corrective action plans, new projects. Monitoring purchasing performance. Formulating functional improvements for processes and tools. Mastering L'Oréal accounting rules, analyzing supplier P&L (profit and loss). Challenging financial and logistics managers when purchases are impacted by other functions.
- Supporting and managing stakeholder relations: animating its network at regional and global levels. Communicating, managing projects, and sharing supplier information with stakeholders and influencing them.

**WHO YOU ARE**:

- A minimum of 5 years of experience in indirect corporate purchasing.
- A university degree in a relevant field.
- Excellent knowledge of the marketing services environment; experience in the digital field or agency.
- Strong analytical skills.
- Excellent knowledge of the Microsoft suite (PowerPoint, Excel).
- Bilingualism: excellent English and French skills, both oral and written.
- Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills.
- The ability to understand and discuss financial data.
- The ability to influence without using authority.
- Certification in corporate purchasing, procurement and negotiations, or project management, an asset.
- Good presentation skills.

**BENEFITS**:

- Comp