Purpose: The Senior Media Buyer is responsible for effective negotiating, purchasing/booking and administration of time or space that is acquired across all media touch points on behalf of the client. The Senior Buyer is responsible for ensuring the media appears on-time at the best cost whilst being accountable for managing all investment.
Buying/Booking
•Take responsibility for administration related to transactions with media owners, including providing relevant documentation i.e. applications/booking instructions, contracts, and confirmation instructions.
•Provide accurate and detailed information on the CI to the media owner and advise the various media owners of the creative agency supplying the material.
•Notify the team of unavailable spots/positions and suitable alternatives.
•Issue accurate and detailed material chase lists for all mediums to creative agencies.
•Digitally file bookings and related correspondence to be accurate, timeous, and logical.
•Create IO’s in Symphony to buy/bill Digital media.
Negotiation
•Negotiate over and above the Planners schedule for best deals possible. This includes negotiation of additional discounts at time of booking or placing of advertising in a better position.
•Negotiate compensation for non-placement and incorrect media placement.
•Every media placement booked should carry a discount or added value.
Billings
•Input data into the media administrative system for billing and budget control purposes.
•Ensure all rate stages, dates and positions are correct and loaded onto the billing system accordingly i.e., rate card rate, discount, net, AV, special loading, etc.
•Continuously inform the relevant stakeholder of any rate, position, or date changes.
•All media to be loaded and checked against media contracts and schedules.
•Balance flow plans with actual monthly expenditure.
•Co-ordinate with the finance department to ensure billing ensues correctly and timeously.
•Update flowplans to accompany the client’s monthly statements & invoices.
•Run monthly reports to assist Planners with updating flow plans, Schedules & PO Trackers.
Other
•Supply tear sheets to clients on any print bookings.
•Supply site bibles to client for OOH.
•Supply media costs on request.
•Maintain good media owner relationships.
•Take accountability of all financial queries and the timeous resolution thereof.
•Assist in new vendor onboarding through ME-Suite
•Mentor and support other Buyers in the team.
The Ideal Candidate
• Minimum 8 years’ work experience in a Buying role.
• Experience working at a Media Agency preferable.
• Strong understanding of the media landscape.
• Significant proven experience of working with multiple stakeholders, e.g., suppliers, advertising/marketing agencies, media owners.
• Good understanding of financial systems - commercial and budget awareness.
• Good administration skills, planning and organising skills.
• Sound negotiation skills.
• Problem Solver
• Good communication skills both written and verbal.
