Europe Category Lead

About Opella:

Opella, the Consumer Healthcare business unit of Sanofi, is the purest and third-largest player globally in the Over-The-Counter (OTC) & Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements (VMS) market.  

We have an unshakable belief in the power of self-care and the role it can play in creating a healthier society and a healthier planet.

That's why we want to make self-care as simple as it should be by being consumer-led always, with science at our core.  

Through our unique and balanced portfolio of more than 100 loved brands, including 15 global and local high-growth challengers such as Allegra, Dulcolax and Buscopan, we deliver our mission: helping more than half a billion consumers worldwide take their health in their hands.  

This mission is brought to life by an 11,000-strong team, 13 best-in-class manufacturing sites, and 4 specialized science and innovation development centers.  

We are also proud to be the first major fast-moving consumer healthcare company to achieve B Corp certification.  

Join us on our mission. Health. In your hands.

Our teams are building trusted & loved brands that connect with hundreds of millions of consumers worldwide, enabling better self-care for individuals and communities, while also contributing to a healthier planet. To fulfill this mission, we are embarking our consumers, our customers, healthcare professionals, and our employees in this journey because this is what will make us become the "Best Fast-Moving Consumer Healthcare (FMCH) Company In & For the World".

We strive to act as a force for good by integrating sustainability along our business and employees' mission and operate responsibly from both a social and environmental point of view.

To achieve this, we need strong talent who will help us shape the future of our Consumer Healthcare business and challenge our industry. At Sanofi Consumer Healthcare, we aspire to create a work environment where people can thrive, grow, and be at their best every day. Our priority is working with integrity to improve the health and well-being of people and communities where we operate, working towards making a positive impact in the world.

About the role:

This strategic and executional role leads the Communication Agencies & Medical Communications Category Lead within Europe, Marketing & Sales Procurement, at Opella. Reporting directly to the EULA Marketing & Sales Procurement Head, the role operates at the Europe level to support and implement global strategies.

You will be responsible for shaping, executing, and delivering the procurement strategy across Europe, driving innovation, optimizing agency ecosystems, and delivering measurable business impact. This role is pivotal in enabling Opella transformation toward integrated marketing and omni-channel excellence.

The key focus of this role is to create, support, and influence procurement category strategy for regional/local Agencies and Medical Communications initiatives, ideate and drive key projects jointly with the business, and ensure consistent execution across Europe affiliates to deliver Opella strategic priorities.

The role requires demonstrating:

-strong partnering internally with Marketing/Brand & Innovations and HCP stakeholders by simplifying collaboration and assisting them in our shift to a further integrated marketing agency & omni-channels solutions;

-strong capabilities in integrated agency eco-system management, content & digital knowledge to manage complex omni-channels environment. Proven experience in Advertising, Content/Digital, HCP, Influencers/PR, Event, Agency models (hybrid, in-house) to enhance our capabilities and deliver substantial values and added values.

-innovation driven for conducting strategic sourcing, agency portfolio optimization & management, analytics, SoWs set-up& negotiations, and projects management driving measurable Net P&L impact across Europe.

This mission is aligned with the values, the ethical charter, and the code of conduct of Opella.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement forward-thinking, competitive procurement strategies for communication and medical agency categories across Europe region.
• Leverage market intelligence to identify risks, opportunities, and innovation potential (e.g., new suppliers, digital tools, technologies).
• Align procurement strategies with business priorities to deliver cost savings, value creation, and sustainability goals.
• Translate regional marketing vision into actionable procurement plans and ensure successful execution across Europe affiliates.

Agency Ecosystem & Innovation

• Lead agency portfolio optimization, strategic sourcing, and supplier innovation programs.
• Drive excellence in integrated agency management across Advertising, Digital Content, HCP, PR/Influencers, Events, and hybrid/in-house models.
• Lead performance reviews locally & at regional level- in line with global process.
• Negotiate and manage Statements of Work (SoWs), contracts, and performance metrics to ensure delivery and compliance.

Business Partnering & Collaboration

• Act as a trusted partner to Marketing, Brand & Innovation, and HCP teams, simplifying collaboration and enabling agile execution.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and suppliers to co-create solutions and accelerate growth.
• Support the Growth Hub and global teams in aligning procurement with business needs and strategic priorities.
• Partner with local markets to leverage IA internal team opportunities and to leverage opportunities to optimize SOW and agencies efficiencies.

Performance & Value Delivery

• Drive measurable Net P&L impact through demand management, cost optimization, and supplier performance.
• Monitor KPIs and supplier performance, ensuring continuous improvement in service levels, quality, and delivery.
• Ensure timely and effective execution of procurement initiatives across Europe affiliates, with strong focus on operational excellence and compliance.
• Champion sustainability and B-Corp commitments across procurement initiatives.

Contract & Relationship Management

• Oversee supplier relationship management program (QBR, other) and negotiations for strategic suppliers on local sourcing cases. Interface directly with local supplier leadership to assure objectives are met.
• Oversee supplier innovation program for the category.
• Oversee KPIs and monitor supplier performance. Continuously drive for improvements in performance of the suppliers in all relevant areas of service level, costs, delivery, quality.
• Ensure compliance with master service agreements.
• Escalate and manage issues that may impact the global Marketing and Sales procurement.
• Ensure that risk management assessment and risk mitigation strategies are in place at the region in close collaboration with the business

About you:

Experiences & Competences

• Minimum 6- 8 years of experience in marketing procurement, agency management, or business operations, ideally within a regional or multi-country scope.
• Proven expertise in marketing procurement, agency management, and business operations.
• Deep understanding of digital, content, advertising, omni-channel marketing ecosystems.
• High business and financial acumen with the ability to influence stakeholders.
• Strong track record in delivering savings and value through strategic sourcing and demand management.
• Excellent negotiation, project management, and analytical skills.

Mindset & Attributes

• Results-oriented and customer-centric.
• Autonomous, energetic, and able to thrive in complex environments.
• Strong communicator with effective interpersonal and influencing skills.
• Agile, collaborative, and committed to continuous improvement.

Digital & Sustainability

• Proficient in leveraging digital tools and analytics for market intelligence and decision-making.
• Passionate about embedding sustainability into procurement strategies and operations.

Language & Culture

• Fluent in English (written and spoken); additional European languages are a plus.
• International mindset with experience in multicultural environments.

Opella Values & CHC Play to Win Competencies

• Stretch beyond current boundaries.
• Take action proactively.
• Prioritize organizational goals over individual interests.
• Act in the interest of patients and customers.

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