At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global indirect procurement strategies and manage a diverse team of experts.
- Company: Join Castrol, a dynamic leader in the energy sector with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to sustainability and excellence.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on procurement strategies while fostering a culture of collaboration.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in procurement with strong leadership and strategic planning skills.
Join our Castrol team as Head of Procurement Global Indirect Categories! This is a Castrol requisition and the successful candidate will become part of the Castrol ring-fence ahead of the Castrol divestment later in 2026. From the point of the divestment, you will be employed fully by Castrol and no longer be a bp employee.
The role provides strategic leadership for key categories at Castrol and is accountable for end-to-end management of indirect procurement. The category teams directly influence delivery of the business financial plans and the overall value delivery of procurement, and are accountable for ensuring a safe, risk managed, sustainable and competitive supply chain.
The Head of Indirect Categories is responsible for:
- Building and leading the new, global Indirect Procurement organisation
- Ensuring business continuity across all indirect categories
- Delivering global category strategies and Source to Contract operational excellence
- Managing category teams to protect the supply chain while maximising value and minimising risk
You will lead the global category and sourcing teams of 40+ people (7-10 direct reports). You will be responsible for about USD 0.8b global spend covering categories such as Marketing, HR, Real Estate, Facilities Management, Travel, Engineering, CAPEX & Maintenance and their sourcing & contracting activities.
Key accountabilities:
- Category Strategy leadership: Leads the category team developing and implementing procurement strategies, which ensures their category operates highly effectively. Provides guidance and challenges the team to formulate innovative strategies that drive value. Leverages advanced methodologies, such as systems thinking. Ensures their strategy is highly aligned to business and regional needs.
- Category excellence: Demonstrates data led ownership of the end-to-end performance of the category, working with stakeholders to develop category management plans. Cultivates purposeful partnerships and robust supplier relationships to navigate business challenges and unlock triple bottom line (people, profit & planet) value.
- Transformational Leadership and Change Management: Leads major change initiatives, which deliver value through ensuring supplier performance. Oversees orchestration of change. Employs digital tools and uses strong communication to encourage adoption.
- Team leadership: Builds high performing teams of experts with strong technical skills by fostering a culture of collaboration, excellence, and continuous improvement. Builds category knowledge across the wider procurement organization to ensure strategy execution. Develops the team’s technical capabilities to deliver operational excellence. Nurtures accelerator skills; curiosity in external markets, digital fluency, data-driven insights, and strong collaboration. Establishes an environment of psychological safety.
- Supplier & Stakeholder Management: Uses storytelling to communicate with internal and external partners, respectfully challenging to achieve the right outcomes, resolving conflict and focusing on priorities. Leads and influences through complexity and ambiguity, manages relationships in multi-discipline, multi-cultural environments. Builds deep relationships, bringing market insights and championing supplier value. Becomes a trusted advisor and critical partner.
What you need to be successful:
- Degree or equivalent professional qualification (Supply Chain & Procurement preferred) or equivalent relevant professional experience
- 15+ years of relevant work experience
- Experience in managing global indirect procurement activities across number of categories
- Extensive leadership experience with the ability to lead end-to-end sourcing and contracting
- In-depth understanding of advanced category management principles, coupled with experience in developing and deploying category strategies to drive value
- Fluency in English
- Industry experience within FMCG, manufacturing, industrial, energy or chemicals preferred
- Understanding of how to ensure strategies flow through to execution
- Excellent commercial competence and awareness of external market dynamics
- Understanding of working in and navigating complex multi-national businesses
- Ability to evaluate and drive innovative solutions and manage risk
- Ability to translate business requirements into a strategic category plan, leading the team to apply data tools and analyze complex data sets
- Critical thinking to make strategic decisions
- Exceptional senior stakeholder networking and influencing skills
- Proven capability in supplier performance, including building strategic partnerships
- Regular interaction with external suppliers and representing Castrol externally are expected
- Effective change management including engagement and storytelling abilities
- Persevering through organizational complexity and resistance to change
At bp, we support our people to learn and grow in a diverse and ambitious environment. We believe that our team is strengthened by diversity. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment in which everyone is respected and treated fairly. There are many aspects of our employees’ lives that are meaningful, so we offer benefits to enable your work to fit with your life.
Travel Requirement: Up to 25% travel should be expected with this role
Relocation Assistance: This role is not eligible for relocation
Remote Type: This position is a hybrid of office/remote working
Skills: Agility core practices, Business Acumen, Business Requirements Analysis, Category Management, Category spend profiling, Category Strategy, Commercial Acumen, Communication, Cost modelling, Digital Fluency, Indirect Purchasing, Indirect Sourcing, Influencing, Leadership, Negotiating, Negotiation planning and preparation, People Leadership, People Management, Procurement, Procurement Strategies, Product and market intelligence, Source to Contract, Sourcing strategy.
Head of Procurement Global Indirect Categories - Castrol in Reading employer: BP PLC
At Castrol, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. As a Digital Portfolio Lead, you'll have the opportunity to drive impactful digital transformation initiatives while enjoying a flexible hybrid working model in vibrant locations like London or Pune. We are committed to your professional growth, providing competitive rewards and a supportive environment where diverse perspectives are valued, ensuring you can make a meaningful impact in your role.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Procurement Global Indirect Categories - Castrol in Reading
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like BP PLC.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Procurement Global Indirect Categories - Castrol in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to BP PLC:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to BP PLC. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like BP PLC.
How to prepare for a job interview at BP PLC
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at BP PLC!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at BP PLC. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into BP PLC's culture.
