Procurement Development Manager in Southampton

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!

Role summary

The Procurement Development Manager is responsible for maintaining and continuously improving the procurement operating framework, including policies, processes, governance standards, controls, and documentation. The role ensures procurement activities are supported by clear, efficient, and compliant processes that align with business objectives and regulatory requirements. Working across procurement teams, business partners, service providers, and transformation teams, the role drives process standardisation, policy deployment, governance adherence, and continuous improvement to improve efficiency, compliance, and user experience.

The position ensures procurement processes, policies, procedures, mentorship materials, and operating standards remain current, effective, and aligned with leading practices.

Accountability

• Maintain the Procurement Management System, ensuring processes, procedures, policies, standards, and mentorship materials remain accurate and up to date.
• Lead the review, development, approval, communication, and deployment of procurement policies and governance frameworks.
• Drive process standardisation and simplification initiatives across the global procurement organisation.
• Establish and maintain process ownership, governance structures, and documentation standards.
• Handle the Procurement Knowledge Library, ensuring all process maps, procedures, controls, and supporting materials are maintained and accessible.
• Coordinate the assessment and implementation of process improvement opportunities across procurement operations.
• Support governance forums and ensure appropriate documentation, endorsements, approvals, and audit trails are maintained.
• Supervise compliance with procurement policies, standards, and governance requirements, identifying risks and improvement opportunities.
• Partner with digital, transformation, and operational teams to ensure process and policy requirements are embedded into procurement systems and tools.
• Support internal and external audits by maintaining process documentation, evidence, and governance records.
• Develop process performance measures and critical metric reporting to supervise efficiency, adoption, compliance, and improvement outcomes.
• Deliver training, awareness sessions, and communications related to procurement processes, policies, and governance requirements.
• Benchmark procurement operating practices and governance models against external standard methodologies.
• Support organisational change activities associated with process, policy, and operating model changes.
• Act as a centre of expertise for process management, governance, and procurement operating standards.

Experience, skills, knowledge

ESSENTIAL Experience Required

• Significant experience in procurement excellence, process management, governance, policy management, or business transformation.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret performance data and benchmark results.
• Experience handling service partners and defining/measuring SLAs.
• Experience leading governance frameworks, controls, policies, and compliance requirements.
• Excellent communication, partner management, and networking skills.
• Knowledge management and process documentation expertise.

Technical / Functional / Leadership Skills Required

• Familiarity with procurement process frameworks and outstanding practices.
• Experience crafting and delivering capability-building programmes.
• Ability to manage process libraries and knowledge assets.
• Strong governance and compliance attitude.

Education / Qualifications / Certifications Required

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Business, Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• Relevant certifications in product management, procurement, or digital transformation (e.g., Agile, Lean Six Sigma, CIPS, etc.).

Beneficial

• Experience with global procurement operations and large-scale transformation.
• Exposure to industry benchmarking and external communications.
• Advanced degree or equivalent experience training in procurement excellence or capability development.

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.