Chicago Marketing Procurement Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Description

Who We Are

Creative Artists Agency (CAA) is the leading entertainment and sports agency, with global expertise in filmed and live entertainment, digital media, publishing, sponsorship sales and endorsements, media finance, consumer investing, fashion, trademark licensing, and philanthropy. Distinguished by its culture of collaboration and exceptional client service, CAA's diverse workforce identifies, innovates, and amplifies opportunities for the people and organizations that shape culture and inspire the world. The trailblazer of the agency business, CAA was the first to build a sports business, create an investment bank, launch a venture fund, found technology start-up companies, establish a philanthropic arm, build a business in China, and form a brand marketing services division, among other innovations. Named Most Valuable Sports Agency by Forbes for eight consecutive years, CAA represents more than 2,000 of the world's top athletes in football, baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, in addition to coaches, on-air broadcasters, and sports personalities and works in the areas of broadcast rights, corporate marketing initiatives, social impact, and sports properties for sales and sponsorship opportunities.

Founded in 1975, CAA is headquartered in Los Angeles, and has offices in New York, Nashville, Memphis, Chicago, Miami, London, Munich, Geneva, Stockholm, Shanghai, and Beijing, among other locations globally.

The Role

The Senior Manager, Procurement serves as a strategic business partner responsible for leading sourcing initiatives, supplier negotiations, contract lifecycle management, and procurement transformation activities across the organization. This role partners closely with business leaders and cross-functional teams to develop sourcing strategies, mitigate risk, optimize spend, and deliver measurable value.

The Senior Manager will lead complex procurement initiatives from initial assessment and sourcing strategy through negotiation, contracting, implementation, and ongoing supplier management. The ideal candidate brings strong strategic sourcing expertise, financial and business acumen, exceptional negotiation skills, and the ability to influence stakeholders across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Procurement

• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives across assigned categories, from initial business requirements and market assessment through supplier selection, negotiation, and contract execution.
• Develop sourcing strategies aligned with business priorities, operational requirements, and financial objectives.
• Partner with senior leaders and functional stakeholders to identify procurement opportunities, cost efficiencies, and areas for improved supplier performance.
• Provide procurement expertise and guidance throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Support procurement activities associated with acquisitions, integrations, and other enterprise transformation initiatives as needed.

Negotiation & Contract Management

• Lead complex supplier negotiations focused on commercial terms, pricing, service levels, risk, and overall value.
• Partner with Legal, Finance, and business stakeholders to negotiate and execute agreements that appropriately balance business needs, cost, and risk.
• Identify opportunities to consolidate spend, improve commercial terms, and strengthen contractual protections.
• Manage contract renewals and key supplier milestones to ensure proactive decision-making and minimize business disruption.

Supplier Management & Risk

• Develop and maintain effective supplier governance and performance management practices.
• Evaluate supplier performance, contractual compliance, financial risk, and business continuity considerations.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to address supplier performance issues and develop appropriate corrective action plans.
• Build strategic supplier relationships that support innovation, operational performance, and long-term value.

Business Partnership & Transformation

• Serve as a trusted procurement advisor to business leaders across the organization.
• Partner cross-functionally with Legal, Finance, Technology, Operations, and other business functions to support enterprise priorities.
• Support integration of procurement processes, technologies, contracts, and supplier relationships across new or evolving business areas.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that increase procurement efficiency, scalability, and organizational effectiveness.
• Support adoption of procurement policies, processes, tools, and standards across the organization.

Financial & Performance Management

• Develop and track savings, cost avoidance, value creation, and other procurement performance metrics.
• Utilize spend analytics, market intelligence, and financial analysis to inform sourcing and negotiation strategies.
• Develop business cases and financial models to evaluate sourcing alternatives and procurement opportunities.
• Provide clear reporting on sourcing initiatives, supplier performance, savings, risks, and key milestones.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to leverage technology, automation, analytics, and emerging procurement capabilities.
• Benchmark procurement practices against industry standards and evolving market trends.
• Contribute to procurement transformation initiatives and the continued development of procurement capabilities across the organization.
• Mentor and develop team members and support a collaborative, high-performing procurement culture.
  

Requirements

• Minimum of 8 years of procurement, strategic sourcing, supplier management, or related experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Finance, or a related field required; Master's degree preferred.
• Professional certifications such as Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) or Project Management Professional (PMP) preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex sourcing initiatives and supplier negotiations.
• Strong knowledge of strategic sourcing, contract lifecycle management, supplier governance, risk management, and procurement best practices.
• Experience partnering with senior executives and cross-functional teams, including Legal, Finance, Technology, and Operations.
• Experience with enterprise procurement platforms and analytics tools; SAP experience preferred.
• Strong financial acumen with the ability to analyze spend, evaluate commercial models, and quantify procurement value.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex initiatives in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Exceptional negotiation, communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
• Media & Entertainment industry experience strongly preferred.

Key Competencies

• Strategic Thinking
• Business & Financial Acumen
• Negotiation & Influence
• Executive Presence
• Stakeholder Management
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Change Leadership
• Analytical & Data-Driven Decision Making
• Results Orientation
  

Compensation

The annual base salary for this position is in the range of $140,000 - $180,000. This position is also eligible for benefits and a discretionary bonus. Ultimately, the salary may vary based upon, but not limited to, relevant experience, time in role, business sector, and geographic location, among other criteria. Please talk with a CAA Recruiter to learn more.

Creative Artists Agency, LLC (the "Company") is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate on the basis of race (inclusive of traits historically associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion, creed, gender or sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), national origin, ancestry, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, family and medical care leave status, military or veteran status, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, political affiliation, an employee's or their dependent's reproductive health decision making (e.g., the decision to use or access a particular drug, device or medical service), or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.The absence of a permanent address is not a bar to employment. The Company does not discriminate against individuals based on housing status, including the absence of a fixed address.The Company also complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws with regard to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities.CAA does not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters unless they were contractually engaged by CAA to provide candidates for a specified opening. Any such employment agency, person or entity that submits an unsolicited resume does so with the acknowledgement and agreement that CAA will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person or entity.