Media Buyer at Starcom

Main Purpose of Job

• To negotiate, buy and place client media, using correct rates with the correct Media Owners and ensuring right and accurate documentation to allow for invoicing.

Responsibilities:

Account Management

• Responsible for delivery of buying service on portfolio
• Attend client/team/status meetings
• Maintain key stakeholder relationships (agencies, brands, client portfolios)
• Develop negotiation strategy on client portfolio

Media Buying, Administration & Budget Management

• No PO, No Booking
• Implement the approved media plan across all mediums
• Provide clear briefing to media owner sales representatives
• Negotiate the best deals in terms of efficiency, effectiveness, price, quality and value added opportunities of the agreed media plan if not already included
• Strive for optimal savings on all media buying
• Issuing of chase lists to Creative Agencies / Client
• Liaising with Creative Agencies – flighting codes / material etc.
• Ensure that media schedule rates match the media flowplan
• Check all contracts timeously and flag discrepancies with planner immediately
• Check that monthly billings match expectation created by PO’s and/or flowplan and highlight discrepancies and corrections to campaign managers/media planner/BUD where applicable to enable them to correctly update their plans and PO trackers
• Supply alternative TV spots to planner where applicable and book alternatives within 48 hrs
• Amend or cancel bookings as and when required by Client, re-negotiating deals in order to avoid penalties wherever possible
• Negotiate maximum compensation for non-adherence to booking parameters or poor quality reproduction
• Respond to ad hoc buying requests from Client and planners
• Provide Resources with all relevant documentation for billing purposes, including signed Cost Estimate, Purchase Order, Signed Schedule, Updated plans from Planners/Campaign managers, Proof of Service and/or other approvals.
• 80% of Billings to be invoiced by billing closure and remaining 20% by no later than the 26th of every month
• Adherence to billing deadlines
• Weekly timesheets completion
• Adhere to audit and process protocol
• Respond to all Resources queries within 48 hours

KPA’s

• Buying Media
• Billing Accuracy
• Process /Audit Compliance
• Negotiation
• Admin/Filing Management
• Self Improvement/Training /Intern Mentoring
• Timesheet completion
• Financial Performance: Cash no more than 9.5% of book outstanding
• Client appraisals at 80% average and not less than 70% for Buying, Invoicing and Training.

Key Interfaces:

• Buying Manager
• Business Unit Director
• Media Owners
• Creative Agencies
• Planners/Clients
• Finance/Resources

Key Competencies/Skills.

• Accuracy
• Able to communicate on all levels
• Relationships
• Systematic
• Resilience and ability to work under pressure
• Strong administrative skills and attention to detail
• Aptitude for numbers
• Negotiation and problem solving skills
• Accountability
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Timeline Expectations:

• Booking completed
• Within 2 working days depending on complexity.
• Chaselists
• Within 24 hours where the booking and material deadline has expired and within 48hrs for all other deadlines.
• Copy Instructions, Booking Instructions,
• Within 1 working day for all expired booking material deadlines and 48hrs for everything else.
• ATL billing
• As per deadline grid shared by Buying Manager or as directed by CFO
• Digital billing
• In arrears within the first two weeks of the next month (by the 10th), provided post campaigns and invoices have been received and packs complete.