Area Procurement Business Manager

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?

·BAT prides itself as a world-wide leader in Procurement. In order to maintain our continued drive for excellence and deliver our business objectives a new operating model for the procurement function was designed. The Area Procurement Business Manager's role plays a crucial part in the delivery of benefits at the end market level.

·Procurement is a global line organisation that delivers direct and indirect procurement to Operations and Commercial, with above market management of categories and suppliers including delivery which is a worldwide organisation with a network of Hubs. The Procurement organisation design sets a clear delineation between the development of procurement strategy (Global) and the Execution of it (either Global or local).

·This role delivers customer value by managing the relationship with the customers of procurement within the Area to ensure their procurement needs are fulfilled and balanced with the needs of the business; ensures the delivery of both customer and procurement service requirements and drives the delivery of the Area targets by undertaking sourcing activities for a number of categories that are managed at Area and end market level (i.e. not globally or geographically managed) and by facilitating implementation of above market projects. The role is also responsible for managing the Sourcing Managers of the entities within the area.

·It is also encouraged that the APBM is clearly invested on our procurement and business transformation journey to transform and elevate the function and team with future-fit attitude and capability builds. Agility and change management will be a core skills in this space

Your key responsibilities will include:

·Accountable to manage the customer relationship and all aspects of procurement related customer service for the appointed Area by understanding customer/Area requirements including their business goals, targets, initiatives, directions and supplier performance requirements for the end markets by crafting demand and compliance where appropriate.

·Deliver end market contracts in conjunction with Legal and to ensure all contracts are align with the relevant business owner and delivering the savings targets and Procurement critical metrics agreed with the FD of the Area and with Lead PBM, from local and Area initiatives. Also ensuring successful implementation of the above market projects being responsible for implementing global and geographic category strategies and sourcing plans at Area/end market sector.

·Collate all relevant end market business unit’s procurement requirements, providing the vital information to ensure robust planning, budget and target setting within all entities in the Area.

·Drive a professional and high performing sourcing team within the Area, enabling appropriate training and development and managing resource plans for entities to ensure the skills and knowledge to deliver the business goals also maintain positive relationships with the business functions in the Area entities and to own the relationship with the local top teams within the Area and also responsible for managing effectively the department’s expenditure and headcount within the agreed budgets in the Area and ensure leverage of indirect and / or direct procurement expertise and knowledge within Area as well as with Lead Market.

·Challenge demand and requirements and manage customer expectations to ensure compliance and drive continuous improvement. Also ensure the business units are aligned with procurement policy and actively manage any compliance issue by ensuring a consistent approach using the agreed global policies, standards and platforms in all day to day tasks.

·Communicate appropriate supply chain and procurement messages regarding strategies, process and policies to customers, to ensure adherence and engender a common understanding of each other’s goals and targets. Also ensuring that team members are aware of the full service offering from Procurement and ensure the best use of resources within the Area’s procurement organization and to improve service delivery.

·Determine the scope, scale and impact of any new products or services required by the customer. To communicate these requirements to the relevant Category Manager and Global/Reg Sourcing Mgr where appropriate or to amend end market strategies and contracts as required to meet the customer needs also communicate to the customer any new and innovative developments highlighted through Procurement partners and relay any feedback on the use or development of these back to procurement for further action.

·As part of the Regional Procurement Leadership Team, driving the global and regional procurement agenda across regional remit and cascade to cluster and local level. Exploring ways in which the function can both simplify and increase agility and efficiency around ways of working.

·Responsible for driving the regional ESG agenda, in line with Global strategy. Working cross-functionally with both internal and external partners, exploring new opportunities around sustainable materials and standard processes. Focusing on issues such as reduction of emissions and aligning BAT’s procurement strategy with social governance policies

What are we looking for? 

Essential:

·Minimum 8 years' experience within a global procurement, or commercial marketing/finance role

·Management of sophisticated global and area projects and programmes to improve performance and deliver service.

·Validated capability of applying supplier management techniques to deliver contributed benefits in addition to contracted benefits

·Understanding of financial evaluation and interpretation of supplier’s records and their key cost and business drivers.

·Understanding of total cost models, cost drivers and other factors needed to ensure a robust agreement for BAT (including specification and testing requirements).

·Agility to acquire knowledge of supply market, supplier capabilities and competitor activity, and encouraged trends at a geographic / global level

·Understanding of the processes, timelines and constraints for the development and delivery of new products.

·Proven experience managing sophisticated market environment with all BAT product categories – FMC, Vapour, THP, and MO

·Transformational approach required to motivate change in engagement model and become flagship PBM role.

Technical / Functional / Leadership Skills Required

·Strong Partner Management and communication skills;

·Understand the impact of cultural differences; experience in managing and working in diverse teams

·Strong eye for business and end to end supply chain environment understanding, working experience at various geographical levels

·High level of leadership skills and team management skills. Able to inspire and empower a team which is geographically dispersed

·Procurement principles, policies, and practices

·Numerical and analytical ability

·Strong mentor with proven track record to empower and deliver through others.

·Comfortable with operating in an ambiguous environment and open to drive and receive new insights SAP, E-Sourcing & P2P process

·Procurement/Sourcing experience at above market level or multi country and/or Planning experience for WMS in the manufacturing environment at local and global is preferred.

Education / Qualifications / Certifications Required

·Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Economics, Finance, Engineering or a related field is required

·Master’s Degree or equivalent experience beneficial

·Business English – proficient;

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.