Category Lead

Job summary

This role will play a part in shaping and supporting category strategy from development to execution of category strategy through various demand to pay systems. The candidate will be accountable to drive improvements to the overall the category performance metrics. This role will focus on establishing strong business partnering cross functionally, identifying strategic partners for this category, and delivering triple bottom line values in line with BP’s strategic agenda.

The post holder will need to have customer service mindset, high attention to details and deep analytical skills, excellent communication, and stakeholder management skills.

This role sits within the GBS Category Foundry team which consist of procurement professionals who work on multiple category initiatives, transition and transformation projects that impacts the Category team and wider GBS community.

Job Responsibilities and Description

• Support delivery of BP business and functional strategies with efficiency, effectiveness, and a great stakeholder experience
• Develop and own strong working relationships with senior level leaders of the key organizations across the segments and businesses
• Jointly develop the category strategy for which they are responsible, enabling effective and efficient operational execution while ensuring a great stakeholder experience
• Manage the health of the Category for which they are responsible
• Understand the implications of developments in the marketplace and evaluate how they may present opportunities or threats
• Ensure an agile and innovative approach to supply market engagement to drive greater transformational impact
• Enable optimization of requirements while promoting transformation as the business and market allows
• Promote the mindset shift required to transition from a traditional category focus towards an agile way of thinking, i.e. encouraging & appreciating value, speed, and flexibility
• Balance control & risk with driving value in line with Group priorities

• Category Spend Profiling- Develops insights on spend profiles that result in elimination of non-value add spend within the category. Identifies key external and environmental drivers and uses this to recommend sourcing initiatives.
• Product & Market Intelligence- Uses deep knowledge of supply markets to create strong sourcing solutions. Uses supply market insights to determine future sourcing strategies for the business. Networks internally and externally and stay up to date via industry publications, conferences, and events
• Category Strategy- Acknowledged expert with deep knowledge of their category including thought leadership regarding the impact of innovation and technology. Mentors and coach’s category managers / specialists / analysts / lead in the use of analytical tools. Leads governance discussions with executive sponsors regarding progress and business results.

• An undergraduate degree (ideally in procurement or business) or equivalent experience.
• Target 6- 8 years professional experience in procurement/supply chain sourcing services and customer service/service management is required. Subject matter expertise in indirect category management is an advantage.
• Experience of working cross culturally and in an international environment
• Ability to communicate and influence across different levels in the organisation
• Engaging and collaborative way of working
• Resilient and experienced in working in multi-faceted environment ​

• Familiarity with Ariba Source to Pay, Salesforce & Compass & also Digital Fluency thereby using various technologies & platforms to develop new ideas, projects and opportunities.