The posting
Position SUMMARY:
The Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager is responsible for designing high-level, complex programs and experiences for clients, in collaboration with Business Development, that apply i|xperience® methodology, Creative Group’s experience-design approach that sets us apart from our competition. The Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager leads, guides & consults with internal and external clients during research of destinations, hotel properties and program elements such as suggested activities, suggested off-site venues, etc. This individual will source, contract, and manage hotel, and suggest any other supplier partners to ensure client requirements are met, serving as the subject matter expert. Key internal stakeholders could include Business Development Leadership, Account Executives, Marketing, Production, Creative, Technology, Performance Solutions (AMPWorks), CX&I (Program Operations), and Travel Services (Air Team) depending on the project. Superior client service and client consultation are the primary focus of this role. The individual must be able to instill confidence with internal clients and colleagues as the role will often call for sales support. Within the industry, the Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager will act as a brand ambassador for Creative Group, building and maintaining strong supplier relationships through active participation in industry events.
The Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager is sought out as a subject matter expert. They can lead teams on large and/or complex programs. Also has strong business acumen, understands profitability/margin goals, and contributes to the team’s achievements. The Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager can identify upselling opportunities and will share them with the appropriate S&D and sales team members. This person is capable of and willing to train and mentor Strategic Sourcing Managers in processes and systems and is a key player in onboarding new team members.
Essential FUNCTIONS:
Leadership
- Model a positive, solution-based approach and be flexible and open to change
- Leverages experience and creative thinking to identify opportunities for increased process efficiency
- Leads new initiatives and models leadership behaviors within team and oversees project team on cross-collaborative opportunities
- Shares strategies and best practices with colleagues to identify cost and time efficiencies
- Supports the Director and company initiatives
- Supports quality control efforts within the team
- Seeks opportunities for growth and development for self and others
Manage Sourcing & Contract Negotiation
- Lead qualification and sourcing research by identifying and evaluating destinations, hotel properties, venues, and supplier partners based on client requirements.
- Manage the RFP and sourcing process by preparing and issuing hotel, DMC, and supplier partner RFPs (including Cvent), tracking availability, option dates, and holds, and maintaining regular communication with internal teams and external suppliers.
- Review, analyze, and qualify supplier proposals and pricing, ensuring only viable, requirement-aligned options are presented, and providing informed recommendations to clients throughout the decision-making process.
- Maintain regular communication with all suppliers to keep them informed on RFP status, ensuring appropriate space is being held or released on a timely basis.
- Develop and prepare Creative Group recommendations and client-facing materials in accordance with sourcing SOPs and client goals, objectives, and requirements.
- Negotiate hotel and supplier partner contracts and pricing, maximizing value and minimizing risk, including participating in re-negotiations or cancellations as required.
- Review and finalize contracts to ensure accuracy, alignment with program needs, MSAs/SOWs, and application of Creative Group and client-specific terms and addenda.
- Communicate and define legal and financial implications of hotel contracts to clients and quickly evaluate alternatives and recommend a plan of action.
- Collaborate with Account Executives and Business Development to ensure consistency between contracted services, budgets, and pricing.
- Complete required internal documentation and conduct program turnover in accordance with Creative Group processes.
- Coordinate with all internal stakeholders for any pre-sale site inspections, including travel as required.
Strategic Budget and Financial Management
- Own program budgets and overall profitability, serving as the proforma owner and ensuring financial performance aligns with client objectives and Creative Group targets.
- Develop, manage, and finalize program budgets in collaboration with Account Executives and applicable product departments, incorporating airfare analyses, cost estimates, and final supplier pricing in accordance with established processes and systems.
- Lead and execute program negotiation strategies to achieve optimal value for clients, negotiating supplier costs and tracking savings throughout the sourcing process.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Travel Services and internal Communication, Creative, and Production teams to evaluate solutions, align costs, and support accurate budgeting.
- Maintain accurate program tracking and documentation, recording timelines, completed tasks, and internal efforts daily using Unit 4 software.
- Track timing, a record of tasks completed on all client programs and internal efforts is required daily, using Unit 4 software.
Collaborative Leadership and Process Management
- Represent Creative Group in client-facing discovery calls and presentations, serving as a strategic partner throughout the proposal and program development process.
- Champion innovation, creative excellence, and strategic thinking by applying i|Lab methodology and contributing meaningful insights that strengthen proposal concepts and support Creative Group’s creative vision.
- Act as a collaborative partner to Account Executives and Designers, ensuring alignment on program strategy, creative direction, and financial objectives to support program success and profitability.
- Participate in brainstorming sessions, strategic planning, and client presentation development, including sourcing imagery and materials as needed.
- Design and prepare comprehensive client recommendations, including visual concepts and budget components, in collaboration with design team.
- Ensure accuracy, consistency, and completeness of proposal and presentation materials, including design alignment, Creative Group marketing content, and RFI responses for destinations, hotels, and program inclusions.
- Manage the end-to-end proposal delivery process using work-back schedules, coordinating cross-functional collaboration to meet committed deadlines.
- Prepare, facilitate, and co-lead program turnover and file transfer meetings with Account Executives and cross-functional CX teams to ensure seamless handoff and execution readiness.
Supplier Partner Engagement
- Engage in industry events and familiarization (FAM) trips as appropriate to maintain current destination knowledge and support business needs.
- Actively keep up to date with industry trends, promotions, property renovations/construction and destination information and share expertise with clients as applicable.
- Serve as a positive steward of the Creative Group. brand in the industry
- Adhere to Creative Group. policies regarding appropriate and professional client and supplier interaction
- Build and maintain strong supplier relationships through active participation in industry events and Creative Group hosted supplier events.
- Utilize preferred suppliers for quality of service, volume purchasing to maximize profitability.
- Advise team members as appropriate regarding new or revised information from suppliers.
Minimum Requirements/QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree or a combination of education and experience is required
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience within the meeting and incentive industry
- Advanced destination and hotel property knowledge with desire and willingness to continually expand knowledge both domestically and internationally is required
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, especially Excel, Microsoft Outlook, and PowerPoint
- Experience with supplier management software is preferred (Cvent)
Non-negotiable Hiring CRITERIA:
- Must be able to behave in a manner that reflects our organization’s vision and values with client, supplier partners and internal team members.
- Must possess excellent interpersonal skills to deliver best in class client service derived from a spirit to help and serve others.
- Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as strong presentation skills to work independently with clients with the capability to present with confidence and ask appropriate questions to determine program requirements.
- Must be a strategic, forward and critical thinker with the ability to gather and analyze information to skillfully conceptualize solutions that go beyond the obvious paths,
- Must be a self-generated learner with ability to gather, share and apply learnings for continuous process improvement.
- Must possess strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple clients and projects and tasks, in various phases, simultaneously.
- Must possess good listening skills to understand and be able to meet client’s objectives for the program.
- Must be able to model a positive, solution-based approach with a bias towards action.
- Must be flexible and be open to change.
- Must be able to work independently, while thriving in a team environment
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Ability and willingness to work extended workdays and possible weekends
- Accessible during acceptable working hours identified per project/program
- Ability to travel on occasion as needed
- Frequent use of a computer and other office equipment
- Ability to lift 20 lbs.
- Frequent sitting, standing, and walking
Creative Group is a global event experience agency that combines strategy, data, insights and creativity to design and deliver immersive events and campaigns that inspire, reward, and connect people and brands.
Typical services include:
- Experience Strategy: aligning event goals with brand and audience needs.
- Creative & Design: storytelling, content, visual, environmental, and digital design.
- Production & Logistics: end-to-end execution of live, virtual and hybrid events.
- Audience Engagement: personalization, interactivity, and community-building.
- Data & Insights: personalization, measuring outcomes, optimizing experiences, and proving impact/ROI.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities associated with the role. As with all positions, the responsibilities and duties of this position may change. The Company, in its discretion, may alter this job description at any time with or without notice.
Creative Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse workforce and provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy, disability, Veteran, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Creative Group complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.
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