Global Category Manager - Events & Sponsorships

Job Description

We help the world run better
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, and we need your unique talents to help shape what's next. The work is challenging – but it matters. You'll find a place where you can be yourself, prioritize your wellbeing, and truly belong. What's in it for you? 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

Digital Enablement & Insight‑Driven Performance

• 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.
  
  

Vendor Strategy, Innovation & Responsible Sourcing

• 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 meetings 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, nalytical 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.

At SAP, we appreciate:

• 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.

Join our team and contribute to our exciting journey towards becoming a truly agile and strategic procurement organization. We welcome all candidates who bring a unique perspective and a drive to excel.

Bring out your best
SAP innovations help more than four hundred thousand customers worldwide work together more efficiently and use business insight more effectively. Originally known for leadership in enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, SAP has evolved to become a market leader in end-to-end business application software and related services for database, analytics, intelligent technologies, and experience management. As a cloud company with two hundred million users and more than one hundred thousand employees worldwide, we are purpose-driven and future-focused, with a highly collaborative team ethic and commitment to personal development. Whether connecting global industries, people, or platforms, we help ensure every challenge gets the solution it deserves. At SAP, you can bring out your best.

We win with inclusion
SAP’s culture of inclusion, focus on health and well-being, and flexible working models help ensure that everyone – regardless of background – feels included and can run at their best. At SAP, we believe we are made stronger by the unique capabilities and qualities that each person brings to our company, and we invest in our employees to inspire confidence and help everyone realize their full potential. We ultimately believe in unleashing all talent and creating a better world.

SAP is committed to the values of Equal Employment Opportunity and provides accessibility accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with SAP and are in need of accommodation or special assistance to navigate our website or to complete your application, please send an e-mail with your request to Recruiting Operations Team: Careers@sap.com.

For SAP employees: Only permanent roles are eligible for the SAP Employee Referral Program, according to the eligibility rules set in the SAP Referral Policy. Specific conditions may apply for roles in Vocational Training.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their age, race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, age, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, et al), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or disability.

Compensation Range Transparency: SAP believes the value of pay transparency contributes towards an honest and supportive culture and is a significant step toward demonstrating SAP’s commitment to pay equity. 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 142500 - 242300(USD) USD. The actual amount to be offered to the successful candidate will be within that range, dependent upon the key aspects of each case which may include education, skills, experience, scope of the role, location, etc. as determined through the selection process. Any SAP variable incentive includes a targeted dollar amount and any actual payout amount is dependent on company and personal performance. Please reference this link for a summary of SAP benefits and eligibility requirements: SAP North America Benefits.

AI Usage in the Recruitment Process

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Please note that any violation of these guidelines may result in disqualification from the hiring process.

Requisition ID: 448651 | Work Area: Finance | Expected Travel: 0 - 10% | Career Status: Professional | Employment Type: Regular Full Time | Additional Locations: Virtual - USA #LI-Hybrid