Procurement Specialist

Essence Ventures was established with the goal to articulate through experiences, media, technology, and commerce, that Black is not a monolith. Essence exists to serve Black Women deeply through culture, equity and celebration — encouraging and equipping them to embrace the power of their roles standing at the forefront of their lives, homes, and communities. We accomplish this mission and vision through our incredible and distinct brands: ESSENCE Communications, Inc. (ESSENCE, Girls’ United), AFROPUNK and ESSENCE Studios).

The Procurement Specialist will play a vital role in Sundial Media Group’s operational excellence by strategically sourcing and managing services across our media, event, and experiential portfolios. This position requires a strategic thinker who can navigate the dynamic landscape of media and event services procurement while maintaining strong supplier relationships and cost-effective solutions.

Responsibilities

Service Procurement & Vendor Management

• Spearhead procurement strategies for media services, event production, digital content creation, hospitality, and transportation services
• Develop and nurture strategic partnerships with key vendors in the media and events industry
• Evaluate and select suppliers based on quality, reliability, and cost-effectiveness
• Negotiate competitive contracts that align with Sundial’s high standards of service delivery

Strategic Sourcing

• Create innovative sourcing strategies that support Sundial’s diverse spend portfolio
• Conduct comprehensive market analysis of consumer subscription, hospitality and event service providers
• Identify emerging trends and opportunities in the media and experiential marketing spaces
• Develop cost-saving initiatives while maintaining service excellence
• Implement and manage RFP process for all categories of spend

Contract & Risk Management

• Oversee all aspects of service contracts from drafting to implementation
• Ensure contractual compliance with industry regulations and company standards
• Implement risk mitigation strategies for supplier relationships
• Monitor and report on supplier performance metrics

Financial Oversight

• Manage procurement budgets across multiple project streams
• Analyze spending patterns and identify optimization opportunities
• Create cost-benefit analyses for major service contracts
• Develop pricing strategies that maximize value while maintaining quality
• Develop monthly dashboard on top procured items
• Create and maintain spend cube across all business units

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with business teams to understand service requirements
• Support business leads in resource allocation and vendor selection
• Coordinate with Finance department on budget planning and cost control
• Facilitate communication between vendors and internal stakeholders

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or related field
• 10+ Years of procurement experience with 5+ years in media, events, or related industries
• Proven track record of successful contract negotiations
• Experience with media and event service providers
• Proficiency in procurement software and project management tools
• Strong analytical abilities with emphasis on cost analysis
• Advanced negotiation and vendor management capabilities
• Excellent documentation and reporting skills
• Strategic thinking with attention to detail
• Outstanding communication and relationship-building abilities
• Ability to manage multiple high-priority projects
• Problem-solving mindset with creative approach to challenges
• Master’s degree in related field
• Professional procurement certification (CPSM, CIPS)
• Experience in experiential marketing or event production
• Knowledge of media production and digital content creation
• Must be able to lift and carry items weighing up to 25 lbs
• Requires prolonged periods of sitting, standing and walking throughout the workday, including during meetings, site visits (if applicable), or operational tasks.
• May involve occasional travel to which could include extended periods away from the primary workplace (if applicable and approved).
• East Coast based (This position does not offer relocation assistance. Candidates must be local)
• Hybrid role (3 min. days in office required)

Full suite of benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, EAP, 401k)