Manager - Category (Travel)

WPP
Andheri +1 more

Who this role is best for

Aimed at mid-to-senior level procurement professionals who have experience managing large regional travel programs and working with external suppliers and internal stakeholders.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with experience managing complex regional travel programs and supplier relationships
    — “Experience of operational management of large complex regional travel programmes”
  • Professionals who can drive process improvements and execute transformational projects
    — “Identify any areas of improvement or process efficiencies”
  • Individuals with strong cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management skills
    — “Develop effective relationships with key functional stakeholders”

Things to consider

  • The role requires in-office presence for four days a week despite being hybrid
    — “with teams in the office around four days a week”
  • Candidates must be prepared to manage multiple internal and external stakeholders
    — “Key External Relationships: Suppliers – TMCs, BTAs, Corporate Cards, Hotels, Airlines, Car Hire Services etc.”

How to stand out

  • Highlight your track record in managing transformational projects like RFPs and corporate card rollouts
    — “Execute key transformational projects in co-ordination with the relevant internal and external stakeholders”
  • Showcase experience in liaising with procurement teams and external suppliers
    — “Liaise with Responsible Procurement and ensure initiatives are appropriately managed”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • successful execution of key transformational projects
  • high stakeholder satisfaction
  • process improvements and efficiencies
Typical background
experience in procurement or operations managementbackground in Lean methodologies

Skills & requirements

Required

Operational ManagementProject ManagementStakeholder ManagementProcess ImprovementLean Methodologies

Preferred

Sustainability Knowledge

Stack & domain

CommunicationProblem SolvingCritical ThinkingStakeholder Management

About the role

Original posting from WPP via Greenhouse

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. 

We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. 

We work with the world's most valuable brands and have global reach across 100+ markets, with deep local expertise.

Our people are the key to our success. We're committed to fostering a culture of creativity, belonging and continuous learning, attracting and developing the brightest talent, and providing exciting career opportunities that help our people grow. 

For more information, visit WPP.com.

Programme Manager - Travel & Expense, APAC - Procurement

Location: Mumbai

The Category Manager - Travel will support the management of the contracted day-day operational expectations for Travel Management and Fleet Management. The resource shall also support implementation of key transformational programs within the region such as Travel Management Company RFP and implantation, Roll-out of Corporate Card program etc.

What you'll be doing:

Key responsibilities include:

Ensure contracts are operationally managed for performance, compliance, value and risk

Develop effective relationships with key functional stakeholders

Build strong relationships with the key day-day WPP customers

Ensure any identified operational risks are managed

Ensure operational delivery of Travel Management strategy

Drive compliance to category strategy and contracted commercial solutions and supplier partnerships

Identify any areas of improvement or process efficiencies

Liaise with Responsible Procurement and ensure initiatives are appropriately managed

Execute key transformational projects in co-ordination with the relevant internal and external stakeholders.

This role will report to WPP’s Head of Procurement, Travel, Expense and Fleet

Who you will be doing it with:

Key External Relationships:

Suppliers – TMCs, BTAs, Corporate Cards, Hotels, Airlines, Car Hire Services etc.

Key Internal Relationships:

Procurement Operations

Procurement Category team

WPP customers

Business stakeholders

Responsible Procurement

Internal Audit

Finance

Legal

What you'll need:

Experience of working collaboratively

Experience of operational management of large complex regional travel programmes 

Ability to problem solve and demonstrate critical thinking

Appetite to learn and develop

Knowledge of sustainability

Structured and assertive communication skills

Effective stakeholder management skills

What will your key metrics and targets be:

Stakeholder satisfaction

Contribution to process improvements / efficiencies

Timeliness of customer response / interaction

Effectiveness in executing key transformational projects

Who you are:

You're open: We are inclusive and collaborative; we encourage the free exchange of ideas; we respect and celebrate diverse views. We are accepting: of new ideas, new partnerships, new ways of working.

You're optimistic: We believe in the power of creativity, technology and talent to create brighter futures or our people, our clients and our communities. We approach all that we do with conviction: to try the new and to seek the unexpected.

You're extraordinary: We are stronger together: through collaboration we achieve the amazing. We are creative leaders and pioneers of our industry; we provide extraordinary every day.

What we'll give you:

Passionate, inspired people – We promote a culture of people that do extraordinary work.

Scale and opportunity – We offer the opportunity to create, influence and complete projects at a scale that is unparalleled in the industry.

Challenging and stimulating work – Unique work and the opportunity to join a group of creative problem solvers. Are you up for the challenge?

WPP is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, military/veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability. We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion and strives to recruit a diverse slate of candidates to help us achieve that goal.

#LI-Hybrid 

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

Please read our Privacy Notice (https://www.wpp.com/en/careers/wpp-privacy-policy-for-recruitment) for more information on how we process the information you provide.

Source: WPP careers (Greenhouse)

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