Category Lead Corporate Real Estate & IFM

BAT is evolving at pace into a global multi-category business. Our purpose is to create A Better Tomorrow™ by Building a Smokeless World. 
To achieve our ambition, we are looking for colleagues who are ready to join us on this journey! Tomorrow can’t wait, let’s shape it together!

JOB TITLE: GLOBAL CATEGORY LEAD – Operations - Corporate Real Estate & IFM

EXTERNAL JOB TITLE: GLOBAL CATEGORY LEAD – Operations - Corporate Real Estate & IFM

FUNCTION: OPERATIONS

SUB FUNCTION: PROCUREMENT

CITY & COUNTRY: LONDON, UK

UNIQUE JOB CODE: GHOPSGR369258

What are the key objectives and expectations from this role?  

The Global Category Lead is responsible for the deployment of the global category strategy in line with the category/categories in scope of the role, specifically:

• Category strategy development, refinement and refresh
• Buying channel spend and compliance reporting (incl. commercial risk management and contract pipeline)
• Strong collaboration with wider BAT Procurement (incl. GBS) to delivery buying channel/sourcing objectives
• Key partner supplier relationship management
• Peer group and external market network build

• Define Global Strategies for the category to achieve the business objectives for the next 1 – 3 yrs
• Complete Buying channel plans in line with global definition and policies
• Lead global and geographic contract negotiations, where appropriate, effectively to deliver robust terms and conditions that manages BAT’s service delivery and commercial risk that represent value for money
• Build strong supplier base relationships and manage negotiation and supplier selection within the framework of the category strategies and sourcing strategies
• Lead global and geographic supplier management and drive geographic continuous improvement initiatives with suppliers in coordination with business functions
• Ability to understand and communicate individual category strategy to internal collaborators
• Business Continuity plan execution and pro-active risk management

ESSENTIAL

Experience Required

• Procurement professional with 5+ years’ experience sourcing Corporate Real Estate (CRE) and Integrated Facilities Management (IFM) services across multi‑country portfolios (office, R&D, manufacturing and warehouses), with practical knowledge of centralised vs. local operating models.

• Detailed knowledge of CRE and IFM supply markets: broker/advisory partners, IFM providers, specialist maintenance vendors, fit‑out and projects contractors, and workplace/space analytics solutions; strong grasp of compliance and sustainability trends.

• Proven track record leading lease tenders/re‑gears and IFM RFPs, rate‑card benchmarking (FM labour/materials, management fees, pass‑throughs) and performance‑based contracting; disciplined estimation across mobilisations, steady‑state operations and continuous improvement.

• Strong command of contracting for CRE & IFM: lease clauses (breaks, indexation, sublet/assignment), FM MSAs/SOWs/SLAs, service credit regimes, statutory & preventive maintenance schedules, warranties, and project/fit‑out contracts.

• Experience deploying buying channels and contract pipelines, driving compliance and supplier onboarding; delivering savings/value, uptime and employee experience improvements in line with category strategy and portfolio optimisation goals.

• Category expertise in CRE & IFM: brief‑to‑contract workflows, lease life‑cycle management, FM scope design, staffing matrices, rate‑card architecture and playbooks.

• Advanced sourcing & negotiation: lease tenders/re‑gears, IFM RFP orchestration, fee/mark‑up negotiation, service levels, service credits and change‑order control.

• Contracting literacy: lease terms (breaks, indexation, sublet/assignment), FM MSAs/SOWs/SLAs, statutory compliance schedules, CDM/H&S obligations, insurance and subcontractor flow‑down clauses.

• SRM & performance governance: scorecards, critical metric trees (uptime, response/repair times, energy intensity, cost, HSE compliance), root‑cause analysis and continuous‑improvement roadmaps.

• Financial & analytics capability: should‑cost/TCO models for FM and leases, NPV for capex/lease decisions, energy and occupancy analytics, savings/value‑realisation tracking.

• Risk & continuity management: asset criticality assessment, statutory inspection calendars, business‑continuity and incident response plans for offices/plants/labs.

• Partner management & change leadership with Operations, Engineering, Facilities/Real Estate, Finance and Legal; enabling IFM consolidation and portfolio optimisation across markets.

Technical / Functional / Leadership Skills Required

• Knowledge of the Category including the external marketplace, key drivers and levers, supply base and balance of power, supplier capabilities and trends
• Sustainability & ESG: workplace optimisation, low‑carbon operations, waste & recycling and material circularity embedded in sourcing and supplier assessments.
• Expertise in negotiation skills and influencing skills: able to influence business partners and suppliers as well as the ability to be assertive if required to ensure compliance to contract
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to develop and maintain effective partnerships working across geographic boundaries and functions

• A focus on service delivery and savings
• High capability engaging the senior leadership, adept at shaping decisions through concise, insight‑led narratives and collaborator alignment.
• Capable presentation skills—able to distil complex sourcing topics into compelling executive storylines with clear options, recommendations, risks and value drivers.
• Advanced analytical capability—structured problem‑solving, hypothesis‑driven analysis, scenario modelling and benefits tracking that connects procurement outcomes to long‑term business strategy.
• Critical thinking and planning—translates enterprise priorities into sourcing roadmaps, balances short‑term delivery with long‑term value creation and risk mitigation.
• Programme leadership—orchestrates complex, HQ‑led or global initiatives with structured PMO cadence, issue/risk management and change adoption across markets.
• Excellent written and verbal communication—exec‑ready papers, gate decks and briefings; adapts style to audience and culture.

Education / Qualifications / Certifications Required

• Educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant area
• CIPS Corporate Diploma in Purchasing and/or membership of The Chartered Institute for Purchasing and Supply or equivalent country qualification or membership would be an advantage

What we offer you?

• We offer a market leading annual performance bonus (subject to eligibility)
• Our range of benefits varies by country and includes diverse health plans, initiatives for work-life balance, transportation support, and a flexible holiday plan with additional incentives.
• Your journey with us isn't limited by boundaries; it's propelled by your aspirations. Join us at BAT and become a part of an environment that thrives on internal advancement, where your career progression isn't just a statement – it's a reality we're eager to build together. Seize the opportunity and own your development; your next chapter starts here.
• You'll have access to online learning platforms and personalized growth programs to nurture your leadership skills.
• We prioritise continuous improvement within a transformative environment, preparing for ongoing changes.

WHY JOIN BAT?
We’re one of the few companies named as a Global Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute – certified in offering excellent employee conditions.

At BAT, we champion collaboration, inclusion, and partnership as the bedrock of our values. We wish to foster an environment where every individual can thrive, irrespective of factors such as gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, skills, experience, education, socio-economic and professional background, as well as diverse perspectives and thinking styles. We recognise that our strength lies in embracing talent from all walks of life, empowering us to develop our culture of inclusivity and better achieve our business objectives.

We view career breaks not as obstacles but as opportunities and encourage everyone, without hesitation, to apply. Through our Global Returners program, we provide support to professionals seeking to re-enter the workforce after an extended absence, be it for family care, parental leave, national service, sabbatical, or starting their own venture.
Come bring your difference and see what is possible for you at BAT. Learn more about our culture and our award winning employee experience here.

We take pride in being a Disability Confident Employer. If you need any reasonable adjustments or accommodations to be made during the recruitment process to support you performing at your best, please inform the recruitment partner who will be in touch should your profile be selected for the role you applied for. We are wholeheartedly committed to optimising your prospects of success by making suitable arrangements so that you may showcase your full potential.