Category Lead Legal Services in London

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 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

ROLE DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Define Global Strategies for the category to achieve the business objectives for the next 1 – 3 years
• Perform Buying channel plans in line with global definition and policies
• Lead global and geographic contract negotiations, 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 handle negotiation 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
• Ability to understand and communicate individual category strategy to internal collaborators
• Business Continuity plan execution and pro-active risk management

EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE ESSENTIAL

Experience Required

• Procurement professional with 5+ years’ experience sourcing Legal Services across multi-market portfolios: litigation & regulatory enforcement, IP (patents/trademarks), commercial advisory, employment, competition, compliance/investigations, and alternative legal service providers (ALSPs).
• Detailed knowledge of law-firm ecosystems and engagement models: global panels, regional specialists and boutiques; matter intake, and e-billing/matter management oversight (rate cards, blended rates, caps, fixed-fee, success-fee and retainer models).
• Proven track record running RFPs/panels and renewals for outside counsel; rate-card benchmarking and performance-based fee arrangements; disciplined estimation across scoping, mobilization, discovery/briefing, hearings/filings and closure/knowledge-transfer.
• Strong command of MSA/SOW negotiation for legal services: scope & matter instructions, work-product/IP ownership, confidentiality & privilege, data-protection schedules (cross-border and processor terms), right-to-audit, liability caps/PI, non-solicit, and change-control; integration with Outside Counsel Requirements and Engagement Guidelines.
• Experience deploying law-firm panels and SOW catalogues under Procurement governance (Approach/Decision Gates), ensuring Coupa traceability and policy alignment; delivering value, risk-reduction and speed-to-engage for the Legal function.
• Supplier-management experience running QBRs with critical metrics relevant to legal services (matter outcomes, cycle time vs. landmarks, budget adherence vs. fee arrangements, invoice compliance to guidelines, diversity & ESG), embedding standardization and ethical conduct across markets.
• Demonstrated delivery of complex transitions (global panel consolidation, Outside Counsel Requirements adoption, rate-card harmonization, e-billing rollout and Anaqua/CLM integrations) while maintaining business continuity across practice areas and regions.
• Experience partnering with Legal leadership, practice heads and Data Privacy/Legal, GBS Procurement and Finance to align briefs, budgets, regulatory/compliance requirements and value realization.

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
• 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
• 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 shaping decisions through concise, insight-led narratives and collaborator 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.
• Strategic thinking and planning—translates enterprise priorities into sourcing roadmaps, balances short-term delivery with long-term value creation and risk mitigation.
• 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

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.