IT Services Category Manager – Cloud Networking and Connectivity (Technology Procurement)

Technology

Procurement & Supply Chain Management Group

L

provides strategic category leadership for key categories at Castrol and is accountable for end-to-end management of global categories. They are responsible for fostering end to end category operational excellence through leading teams who manage supply chain risk and maximize value, including sustainability, within their category. They do this through extensive teamwork across and beyond procurement, including with regional and business resources. This ensures their category operates end to end with high effectiveness. The individual will be a strategic problem solver who leads development of exceptional executable category strategies to meet business objectives and also ensures competitive procurement outcomes. They ensure that strong category guidance is established for efficient execution across complex categories. They cultivate partnerships with senior stakeholders and collaborate to deliver step changes in 3rd party spend management. They have high commercial acumen ensuring alignment with business goals and delivering secure optimal, compliant, and competitive, risk-managed procurement outcomes. A transformational leader, adept at change management, who builds high performing teams through displaying emotional understanding and fostering resilience. The category teams directly influence delivery of the business / entity financial plans and the overall value delivery of procurement, and are accountable for ensuring a safe, risk managed, sustainable and competitive supply chain. The IT Services Category Manager leads the global IT Services procurement category strategy for

, shaping strategy, driving commercial value, and partnering with business stakeholders to deliver competitive, innovative and compliant IT services sourcing and supplier‑management outcomes. The category manager will build the category strategies and sourcing roadmaps for IT service aligned with IT operating model, technology roadmap and business priorities. The category manager will define sourcing approaches build vs buym insource vs outsource, single vs multi-vendor, regional vs global and tower model designs with clear commercial models for the strategy which include rate cards, blended rates, skill pyramids, outcome-based, fixed price etc. Develop and deploy the global IT services category strategy, covering areas such as IT application services, support services, consulting services and managed services. Use market intelligence and industry trends to shape long‑term IT services procurement strategy and drive competitive advantage. Provide strategic steer in major negotiations with global and regional IT services suppliers. Act as the senior commercial partner to global and regional IT leadership team.

Demonstrates data led ownership of the end-to-end performance of the category, working with stakeholders to develop category management plans that allow efficient end to end category management reflecting business / region specific context such as laws, tax, market conditions and local content.

Leads major change initiatives, which deliver incremental value to business through ensuring supplier performance in a dynamic environment.

Builds high performing teams by fostering a culture of collaboration, excellence, and continuous improvement. Their team has strong technical skills and leads the category across procurement and the broader organization.

Uses storytelling to communicate impactful with stakeholders and external partners, respectfully challenging to achieve the right outcomes, resolving conflict and focusing on priorities.

Degree educated - something related to Business, IT, Procurement preferred - or equivalent relevant professional experience

Must possess an in-depth understanding of category management principles and theories, coupled with experience in developing and deploying category strategies.

Exemplary stakeholder management and influencing skills in order to develop a deep understanding of the supported businesses / regions / assets and their priorities, including long term objectives to ensure strategies are effective

Leadership experience, ideally in a procurement organization.

The role requires conceptual thinking, for instance, to match market capability/disruption with business requirements and develop the strategic options for the category

The role demands strong interpersonal skills for leading the category team, leading the category organization-wide, and engaging with global, diverse senior stakeholders.

No travel is expected with this role

This role is not eligible for relocation

This position is a hybrid of office/remote working

Agility core practices, Agility core practices, Agility tools, Analytical Thinking, Business Acumen, Business Requirements Analysis, Category spend profiling, Category Strategy, Cost modelling, Decision Making, Digital Fluency, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Procurement, Information Technology Procurement, IT Procurement, IT Sourcing, Market Analysis, Negotiating, Negotiation planning and preparation, Procurement Technology, Product and market intelligence, Stakeholder Management, Strategy, Supplier Performance Management, Supplier Relationship Management, Technical Procurement {+ 5 more} .

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics like race, religion, color, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status or disability status. Individuals with an accessibility need may request an adjustment/accommodation related to bp's recruiting process (e.g., accessing the job application, completing required assessments, participating in telephone screenings or interviews, etc.). If you would like to request an adjustment/accommodation related to the recruitment process, please contact us . If you are selected for a position and depending upon your role, your employment may be contingent upon adherence to local policy. This may include pre-placement drug screening, medical review of physical fitness for the role, and background checks.