Indirect Procurement Category Manager, Marketing

Waymo•Mountain View, CA

2d•$159,000 - $196,000•Remote

About The Position

Waymo is seeking an Indirect Procurement Category Manager, Marketing to lead end-to-end category management for its brand and reputation engines: Marketing, Communications, PR, and Public Affairs. This role involves designing the agency architecture to scale the brand globally and ensure the right external partners are in place to navigate the complex public narrative around autonomous vehicle operations. The successful candidate will manage a highly subjective, ROI-driven portfolio including Creative, Media Buying, PR, Public Affairs, and Experiential/Event Marketing. They will lead complex negotiations for agency retainers and project-based work, establish outcome-based commercial models, and ensure strict IP and brand protection. This role requires acting as a trusted advisor to Waymo's Marketing, Communications, and Policy leaders, balancing their needs with procurement best practices. The role also involves leading RFX processes for major Agency of Record consolidations, building multi-year category strategies, and maximizing value creation and total cost of ownership (TCO). Additionally, the candidate will negotiate and draft Master Services Agreements (MSAs) and Statements of Work (SOWs) to minimize business risk, focusing on media transparency, usage rights, and liability caps for public-facing output.

Requirements

At least 7+ years of procurement experience, with a minimum of 4 years focusing heavily on Marketing, Communications, PR, or Public Affairs sourcing.
Deep understanding of marketing procurement nuances, including agency fee models (retainer vs. project vs. media commission), media buying transparency, and creative production costs.
Proven ability to negotiate complex IP, usage rights, and indemnification clauses within creative and PR contracts.
Excellent executive presence with the ability to influence and build trust with highly creative marketing leaders and public affairs directors.

Nice To Haves

Experience in the autonomous vehicle, rideshare, or hyper-growth tech sectors where public perception and regulatory communications are critical.
Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Marketing, Supply Chain, or equivalent education and work experience.
Prior experience working directly within an advertising or PR agency in an account or commercial role before moving to procurement.

Responsibilities

Lead end-to-end category management for a highly subjective, ROI-driven portfolio encompassing Creative, Media Buying, PR, Public Affairs, and Experiential/Event Marketing.
Lead complex negotiations for agency retainers and project-based work, establishing outcome-based commercial models and ensuring strict IP and brand protection.
Act as a trusted advisor to Waymo's Marketing, Communications, and Policy leaders, balancing their need for creative freedom and rapid response with procurement best practices.
Lead the end-to-end RFX process for major Agency of Record (AOR) consolidations, build multi-year category strategies, and maximize value creation and total cost of ownership (TCO).
Negotiate and draft Master Services Agreements (MSAs) and Statements of Work (SOWs) that minimize business risk, specifically focusing on media transparency, usage rights, and liability caps for public-facing output.