Global Category Lead (f/m)

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!

What are the key objectives and expectations from this role?  

The Global Category Lead is responsible for the deployment of the international 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)
• 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

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Define Global Strategies for the category to achieve the business objectives for the next 1 – 3 yrs
• Implement 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 handles BAT’s service delivery and commercial risk that represent value for money
• Build strong supplier base relationships and handle 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

What are we looking for?

• Procurement professional with 5+ years’ experience sourcing IDT Operations, solutions that support Operations, Manufacturing, ESG and SNO (Supply Network Operations): PLM, plant IoT/edge & condition monitoring, vision/serialization & track‑and‑trace, plus supply‑chain platforms (WMS, integration middleware/API, data platforms).
• Detailed knowledge of OT/IT vendor ecosystems: industrial OEMs and software vendors, systems integrators, cloud/hyperscaler services and handled support partners; familiarity with plant availability and compliance requirements (24x7 run‑state, change control, validation/QA, data integrity).
• Proven record running multi‑market RFPs and renewals for manufacturing tech and SNO platforms; rate‑card/effort benchmarking and performance‑based contracting; focused estimation across discovery, mobilization, site deployment cut‑overs, hypercare and steady‑state support.
• Strong command of contracting for IDT Cyber & Integration, including negotiating Master Service Agreements and corresponding Statement of Works in addition to: data‑protection & security schedules, service levels/credits & uptime important metrics, acceptance & milestone payments, audit/pen‑test rights, IP/licensing for configurations and connectors, change‑control and subcontractor flow‑down.
• Experience deploying buying channels and contract pipelines under Procurement governance (Approach/Decision Gates, ESG), ensuring traceability in Coupa and alignment to policy; delivering value, risk reduction and speed‑to‑value for factories and end‑to‑end supply.
• Supplier‑management experience running QBRs with important metric trees relevant to service levels, incident MTTR/availability, data quality), embedding standardization and security‑by‑design across sites and regions.
• Proven delivery of complex portfolio transitions (SI partner onboarding, MES/warehouse platform roll‑outs, integration factory patterns, cloud migrations) while maintaining business continuity across plants, DCs and transport nodes.
• Experience partnering with Operations, Manufacturing/Engineering, SNO/Logistics, Cyber/Infosec, Architecture, Data Privacy/Legal, Finance and GBS Procurement to align briefs, budgets, compliance and value realization.

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.

Collaboration, inclusion and partnership underpin everything we do here at BAT. We are looking forward to enabling every individual to thrive, regardless of 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, veteran status, perspectives and thinking styles. We know that embracing talent from all backgrounds is what makes us stronger and best prepared to meet our business goals.

We see the career breaks as opportunities not obstacles. Through The Global Returners program, we support professionals looking to restart their careers after an extended absence from the workforce (e.g. time out caring for family, parental leave, national service, sabbatical and/or starting an 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.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or accommodations to help you perform at your best during the recruitment process, you are encouraged to notify us. We are fully committed to support you by making appropriate arrangements for you to demonstrate your full potential.