Global Category Manager

Want to join a fast-moving company, among hard-working and convivial teams and execute our global sourcing strategy for professional services ? We are looking for a Global Category Manager - Business Travel You will be based at The Island, our office in central Paris.

Objective- To ensure that Pernod Ricard’s employees have access to simple and expedited business travel channels. Enable a seamless travel experience while safeguarding our travel expenditure and security requirements.- Build and Execute the Global Procurement strategy playbook for Business Travel & Expenses, underpinned by a robust roadmap to deliver against our business ambitions.

Your key missions
- Leads the development and execution of the Global Pernod Ricard Travel and Expenses category strategy:

- Develop and implement a comprehensive procurement strategy for business travel and expenses, aligning it with the overall organizational goals and objectives. Continuously evaluate and enhance the strategy to adapt to evolving market conditions and industry trends.
- Identify, evaluate, select, and manage strategic global vendors for business travel and expense-related services, such as TMCs (travel management agencies), OBT (online booking tool), hotels, car rental companies, and expense management software providers. Negotiate contracts and pricing agreements to achieve cost savings, service level agreements, quality standards and S&R ambition;
- Establish, harmonize and enforce policies, procedures, and guidelines to ensure compliance, standardization, and cost efficiency across the organization. Continuously review and improve processes to simplify, reduce cycle times, and enhance user experience;
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including travel managers, HR & security, finance, legal, IT and executive leadership, to understand business requirements and align procurement strategies with their needs. Act as a trusted advisor and provide guidance on procurement best practices, industry insights, and market trends.
- Implement cost-saving initiatives through strategic sourcing, supplier consolidation, volume discounts, and negotiation techniques. Monitor and analyse key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify opportunities for cost reduction, process improvements, and operational efficiencies;
- Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and internal T&E policies. Mitigate risks associated with data security, fraud prevention, and ethical practices.
- Develop and implement a reports to track performance, compliance, cost savings, and customer satisfaction. Distribute to leadership, incl. insights & recommendations.
- Lead and mentor a team of travel procurement analysts, providing guidance, support, and professional development opportunities. Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture within the team, encouraging innovation, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement;
- Is responsible for execution of contracting strategy, for building category S&R roadmap to support Group Sustainability agenda;
- Lead change and user adoption, fostering a cost consciousness across Pernod Ricard, supported by efficient tools and effective spend policies;
- Develop programs to maximize value along 3 lenses: Buy Better (leverage Pernod Ricard’s scale & professional procurement practices) Spend Better (harmonize policies, processes and manage demand tightly), Track Better (spend performance, compliance, sustainability and diversity).
- Create efficient internal processes and maintains structured communication matrix with PR affiliates and central functions
- Is the strategic interface towards suppliers, managing a category of €100m expenditure yearly;
- Onboards stakeholders at all levels & facilitates transversal ways of working with affiliates and corporate functions
- Develops effective implementation plans for global activities, follows closely with affiliates on identified local initiatives
- Provides escalation support to find solutions for ongoing requests
- Actively participates to the Smart Spend programme, the Pernod Ricard Procurement transformation
- Leads development and implementation of best practice travel & expense management tools and processes
- Accountable to build and maintain the global travel category playbooks;

If you recognize yourself in the description below, don’t wait to apply

Professional

Highly experienced T&E procurement or travel manager professional (10+ years)

Successful, multi-year track record delivering change for complex organizations

Experience in working at regional/global level, managing programs across multiple countries, cultures & time zones.

In-depth knowledge on travel management and Procurement

Technical

Experienced in building/realization of category strategy in an autonomous position

Very good knowledge of sourcing processes and methodologies

Advanced negotiator, developed problem-solving and analytical skills

Excellent communication skills: verbal and p