Esther Bakare

Vendor Management and Procurement-focused professional with a proven track record sourcing, negotiating, and managing supplier relationships across broadcast, radio, print, and out-of-home vendors for major national accounts, including DStv, GOtv, FirstBank Nigeria, Consolidated Hallmark Insurance, and Bajaj. Experienced overseeing multi-million naira spend, contract and rate negotiation, vendor performance evaluation, and budget reconciliation. Strategic studies and conflict resolution background strengthens negotiation outcomes and stakeholder alignment.

Progressed steadily from front-line operations into managing supplier relationships and cross-functional teams, with a consistent record of controlling cost, resolving vendor disputes, and keeping delivery on schedule in a fast-moving, deadline-driven environment.

Media Planning and Buying Manager (Vendor & Supplier Management) at Nitro 121 (formerly 141Worldwide Nigeria) (2022-01 – Present)

• Source, negotiate, and manage a portfolio of 15+ broadcast, radio, print, and OOH vendors, overseeing multi-million naira spend across national accounts including DStv, GOtv, FirstBank Nigeria, Consolidated Hallmark Insurance, and Bajaj.
• Lead contract and rate negotiation with vendors, including securing barter and no-cash-cost arrangements, resolving rate disputes, and holding suppliers to agreed terms without compromising delivery timelines.
• Evaluate vendor performance and reliability on an ongoing basis, feeding results into future sourcing decisions and building a working scorecard of preferred suppliers by market and format.
• Manage budget allocation and cost control across concurrent supplier contracts, catching allocation errors early and keeping spend accountable against approved plans.
• Supervise and mentor a team of 3, embedding vendor documentation and reconciliation discipline into day-to-day sourcing and buying workflow.
• Build sourcing and buy-type rationale documents for senior stakeholders, justifying vendor and channel selection with data before spend is committed.

Deputy Manager, Media (Vendor Relations) at Nitro 121 (formerly 141Worldwide Nigeria) (2016-01 – 2021-12)

• Managed vendor and partner relationships across multiple industries, ensuring timely delivery, accurate invoicing, and post-campaign reconciliation.
• Coordinated supplier scheduling and resolved delivery conflicts across concurrent client accounts in banking, telecoms, insurance, and automotive sectors.
• Contributed vendor cost and capability input to client pitches, supporting new business wins and account expansion.

Assistant Manager, Offline Media (Supplier Coordination) at 141Worldwide Nigeria (2012-01 – 2016-12)

• Supported senior staff on vendor sourcing and rate negotiation for national accounts, developing early expertise in supplier terms across TV, radio, and OOH.
• Verified vendor proof of performance and invoicing accuracy ahead of client reporting and payment processing.

Front Desk Officer at 141Worldwide Nigeria (2008-01 – 2012-12)

• Managed vendor and client-facing communication and administrative coordination, building the relationship management foundation that carried into supplier and vendor management.

Front Desk Officer at Redsky Ltd (formerly Tequila121) (2005-08 – 2008-12)

• Handled front-line client interactions and administrative coordination, developing early communication and organisational discipline.

Marketing Intern at Shell Nigeria Gas (2003-01 – 2004-12)

• Supported the marketing department with field visits to supply customers, including invoice delivery and account queries, gaining early exposure to B2B customer and supplier account management.

Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution – National Open University of Nigeria

B.A. (Hons) in History & Strategic Studies – University of Lagos

Fellow – National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN)