At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global strategic projects and develop innovative category strategies.
- Company: Join a leading global company with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, flexible holidays, and health plans.
- Other info: Opportunities for personal growth and continuous improvement in a transformative workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while driving global procurement initiatives.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and strategic project management required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
BAT UK is looking for a Category 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:
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 deliver buying channel/sourcing objectives
- Key partner supplier relationship management
- Peer group and external market network build
Direct impact 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.
Reports to: Global Category Manager
Number of Direct Reports: N/A
Core Relationships:
Internal: Global Category Manager, Legal, Area Procurement Teams, GBS, Business Stakeholders & Finance
External: Suppliers, Supply Base Insights & Peer Network
Geographic Scope: Global
Travel Required: As required
Accountabilities:
- Define Global Strategies for the category to achieve the business objectives for the next 1 – 3 years
- 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 manage 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 development, market engagement, agreements 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
Disability Statement:
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! We take pride in being a Disability Confident Employer.
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. 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.
Category Lead Global Strategic Projects employer: The British American Tobacco Group
BAT UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation in the heart of London. With a competitive salary package, market-leading bonuses, and a commitment to employee growth through personalised development programmes, we empower our team to thrive in a transformative environment. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a range of benefits designed to support your work-life balance and professional aspirations.
Contact Detail:
The British American Tobacco Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Lead Global Strategic Projects
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those connected to BAT. Use LinkedIn to connect and engage with them; you never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching BAT's values and recent projects. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their goals. Practice common interview questions to boost your confidence!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job postings—be proactive! Visit our website regularly and apply directly. Sometimes, the best opportunities come from showing initiative before they’re even advertised.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make decisions.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Lead Global Strategic Projects
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in procurement and strategic projects. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Category Lead, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Collaboration Skills:Since this role involves working closely with various teams, emphasise your ability to collaborate effectively. Share examples of how you've built strong relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experiences. Remember, we appreciate a well-structured application!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at The British American Tobacco Group
✨Know Your Category Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of the category you'll be leading. Understand the market trends, key suppliers, and BAT's strategic objectives. This knowledge will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations where you've secured favourable terms or managed complex supplier relationships. Highlight your ability to influence stakeholders and navigate challenging discussions, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Cross-Functional Collaboration
BAT values strong collaboration across teams. Be ready to discuss how you've worked with various departments in previous roles, particularly in procurement and finance, to achieve common objectives. Use specific examples to illustrate your teamwork skills.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and critical thinking. Think of scenarios where you've had to balance short-term needs with long-term strategy. Practise articulating your thought process clearly and concisely.
