Category Lead Global Strategic Projects

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!

BAT UKIS LOOKING FOR A CATEROGRY LEAD GLOBAL STRATEGIC PROJECTS

JOB TYPE: Permanent

FUNCTION:Operations

SALARY RANGE:Competitive salary package + excellent benefits + market leading bonus

LOCATION:London, United Kingdom

Role summary

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

What is the direct impact of this role on the team or organization?

Delivering the buying channels as part of the overall category strategy, whilst ensuring delivery of defined key business targets and supporting key partners of the business through a defined supplier management programme

Accountabilities

• 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 discussions, 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 agreements 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
• Collaborate with local Direct Procurement teams to understand regional needs and ensure global initiatives and projects are adapted to be fit for purpose at a local level.
• Maintain awareness of local procurement activities to find opportunities that can build or improve the Global Procurement Strategy.
• Provide support to local procurement teams by aligning global priorities with local execution and encouraging consistent communication.
• Build strong, strategic relationships with FMC R&D development teams to support future innovation pipelines and integrate emerging ideas.
• Act as a connector between global strategy, local execution, and innovation teams to drive cohesive, forward‑looking procurement initiatives.
• Ability to understand and communicate individual category strategy to internal partners
• Business Continuity plan execution and pro-active risk management

Experience, skills, knowledge

ESSENTIAL

Experience Required

• Procurement professional with proven experience delivering Headquarter strategic projects across any indirect categories (e.g., Corporate Services, Facilities, Logistics, IDT, SR&D, Marketing), orchestrating multi‑country sourcing programmes driven from HQ and engaging senior Group partners.
• Demonstrated ability to lead end‑to‑end sourcing for HQ initiatives: opportunity discovery, baseline & spend analysis, strategy develop, market engagement, agrements and contracting, implementation and benefits realisation—accelerating speed‑to‑decision and risk mitigation for Group priorities.
• Consistent track record running multi‑market RFPs and renewals, rate‑card benchmarking, crafting performance‑based commercials, and structuring global frameworks/PSLs with local call‑offs to balance global consistency and market agility.
• Strong command of MSA/SOW discussions for services & technology: scope & results, service levels/credits and critical metrics, acceptance & achievement payments, IP/work‑product, confidentiality & data‑protection schedules, right‑to‑audit, liability caps, non‑solicit, change‑control and subcontractor flow‑down, aligned to BAT standards.
• Hands‑on experience operating under Procurement governance (Approach/Decision Gates, ESG) with Coupa traceability and detailed approvals; adept at preparing executive gate decks, securing offline approvals, and maintaining evidence of sourcing decisions for audit.
• Supplier‑management experience running HQ‑led QBRs and executive governance (quality, delivery, cost, ESG, innovation), embedding standardisation and value‑creation across regions while enabling market‑specific requirements.
• Demonstrated delivery of sophisticated HQ programmes (panel consolidations, platform/partner migrations, catalogue standardisation, integration factory patterns) while maintaining business continuity across DRBUs and functions.
• Experience partnering with the Group Head of Indirect Procurement, Finance, Legal/Data Privacy, Procurement Excellence/GBS and business leaders to align briefs, budgets, compliance and benefits tracking (e.g., Savings to Budget, Beyond Spend dashboards).

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
• Strong Partner Management abilities
• 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
• Strong digital analytical and numerical ability
• 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 crafting decisions through concise, insight‑led narratives and partner 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.
• Expert negotiation and influencing—able to secure outcomes with senior suppliers and internal sponsors; operates effectively across functions and geographies.
• 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

BELONGING, ACHIEVING, TOGETHER
Collaboration, diversity and teamwork underpin everything we do here at BAT. We know that collaborating with colleagues from different backgrounds is what makes us stronger and best prepared to meet our business goals. Come bring your difference!

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation!

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.