Global Category Associate Manager Buying Channel and Payment Solutions

Key Responsibilities:

Category Strategy & Planning

• Support the development and execution of the global Payment Products category strategy, aligned with P+ objectives and Travel & Mobility priorities

• Support global target setting (savings, compliance, consolidation) and roadmap definition

• Identify category improvement opportunities through market benchmarking, supplier intelligence, and spend analysis

Strategic Sourcing & RFP Execution

•  Support and lead RFIs, RFPs, and sourcing initiatives across payment products (e.g. corporate cards, lodge cards, virtual cards, payment platforms)

•  Manage sourcing workstreams including:

o            Requirements definition

o            Commercial and pricing evaluation

o            Fact-based negotiation support

o            Award recommendations and business case preparation

• Ensure sourcing activities follow Procurement Plus governance and Sourcing Council requirements

Commercial Oversight & Savings Delivery

• Analyze supplier commercial models including fees, rebates, incentives, and pricing structures

• Identify and track hard and soft savings, cost avoidance, and value levers in line with P+ methodology

• Support savings validation, documentation, and reporting through approved procurement tools and processes

Contracting & Governance

• Support contract development and lifecycle management in collaboration with Legal and Risk teams

• Ensure contracts include appropriate commercial terms, KPIs, SLAs, audit rights, and termination clauses

• Maintain oversight of contract compliance and adherence to global category standards

Supplier & Program Oversight

• Support ongoing supplier performance management and governance cadences

• Track delivery against contractual commitments and category objectives

• Challenge supplier claims and escalations using data, benchmarks, and contract position

Special Projects & Transformation Initiatives

• Support complex, cross-functional payment transformation initiatives (e.g. program redesigns, supplier transitions, consolidation initiatives)

• Prepare structured materials for SteerCos, leadership updates, and executive decision forums

• Contribute to continuous improvement of category tools, templates, and ways of working

• Support other Travel & Mobility projects assigned by Category Lead

Key Relationships:

• Global Category Lead – Payment Products

• Global Category Director – Travel & Mobility

• P+ Governance and Sourcing Council stakeholders

• Travel & Mobility Operations, Finance, Treasury, Risk, Legal, and Tax (as required for category initiatives)

• Global and regional Procurement teams

• Strategic payment suppliers

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Practical understanding of corporate credit and charge card programs, including individual cards, lodge cards, centrally billed accounts, and virtual card solutions used in business travel

• Familiarity with modern payment capabilities such as tokenization, virtualization, and secure payment servicing across travel suppliers, TMCs, and booking platforms

• Understanding of B2B payment models and FX mechanics relevant to business travel, including cross-border settlement, currency conversion impacts, and cost transparency considerations

• Strong grounding in procurement category management and strategic sourcing, with demonstrated experience managing financial or payment-related categories

• Experience supporting or leading RFPs and commercial negotiations with card issuers, payment providers, fintechs, or adjacent financial service suppliers

• Strong commercial and financial acumen, with the ability to assess fees, rebates, interchange logic, FX exposure, and savings opportunities across payment products

• Analytical mindset with the ability to translate complex pricing and payment data into clear procurement recommendations and business cases

• Confident stakeholder management in a global, matrix organization, engaging effectively with Finance, Treasury, Risk, Legal, and Travel Ops teams

• Structured, documentation-driven working style with high attention to governance, contractual clarity, and auditability

• Clear, concise communication skills, particularly in PowerPoint and Excel, suited for senior stakeholder and SteerCo discussions

• Ability to challenge supplier claims and assumptions on payment capabilities, commercial models, and scalability using facts, benchmarks, and contract position

• Problem-solving and out-of-the-box thinking ability directed at defining innovative solutions

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

•  Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Economics, Finance, Procurement, or related discipline

•  Minimum of 5 years of experience in payment,  procurement, category management, or strategic sourcing roles

• Experience working in a large, complex, multinational organization

• Exposure to payments, financial services, fintech, or Travel & Expense categories is an advantage

• Minimum 5 years of experience working with senior executives to implement and manage initiatives in a highly complex matrix organization

• Fluent in English (written and spoken)

Research indicates that some candidates, especially the most diverse ones, may hesitate to apply for positions if they don't meet all requirements. If you believe you possess the necessary skills, even if you do not meet every requirement, we wholeheartedly encourage you to submit your application.

WHAT WE OFFER?

• Individual support of a People Lead and a specific path of professional development, as well as the possibility of a session with a Coach.

• A wide training package (soft, technical, and language training offer, access to the e-learning platforms, Gallup test, GenAI training, possibility of co-financing courses, and certification).

• Employee Assistance Program - legal, financial, and psychological consultations.

• Accenture employees eligible for the Employee share purchase plan automatically become eligible for quarterly dividends if they own company shares.

• Paid employee referral program.

• Private medical care and life insurance.

• Access to the WorkSmile benefits platform (possibility of using a wide range of products and services, including the Multisport card).