Business Services Procurement Category Manager

Business Services Procurement Category Manager We are Lightsource bp – and we’re on a mission to become a global leader in onshore renewables, anchored by our proven track record in solar development. For over a decade we’ve been actively working to diversify the way our world is powered with sustainable and responsible renewable power. We work to safely deliver affordable, reliable, large-scale onshore renewable and energy storage solutions to help the world decarbonise. Our growing business is constantly innovating and investing to help drive the energy transition. Our people and projects are focused on supporting long‑term sustainable growth and energy security. Lightsource bp operates with five core values: Safety , Integrity , Respect , Sustainability , and Drive . We seek to attract and hire individuals who share our commitment to creating a safe workplace, uphold the highest standards of integrity, and demonstrate respect for colleagues, communities, and the environment. Our recruitment process promotes sustainability by valuing long‑term growth and responsible practices, while seeking candidates with the drive to innovate and lead in the global energy transition. Together, these values shape how we engage, assess, and welcome talent to join us in delivering transformational solar power solutions worldwide. Lightsource bp was fully acquired by bp in 2024. What you’ll do (the role) Summary We are seeking a proactive, highly experienced Business Services Procurement Category Manager to lead sourcing, category management, and contract governance for key indirect categories — including business consultancy, professional services, contingent workforce, agencies, travel & entertainment, marketing & PR, legal, audit, and specialist advisory services. This is a high‑impact, wide‑scope role where you will own category strategy end‑to‑end, driving cost optimisation, supplier performance excellence, and innovation in service delivery, while ensuring alignment with Lightsource bp’s global business objectives. You will act as a strategic partner to senior stakeholders across the organisation, championing governance, sustainability, and commercial value across all indirect procurement spend. Responsibilities of the Role Own the full contract lifecycle for all Business Services and indirect procurement categories, ensuring governance, compliance, and delivery of commercial value. Develop and implement comprehensive category strategies across consultancy, professional services, contingent workforce, marketing & PR, legal, audit, travel & entertainment, and agency spend — aligned with business priorities. Lead all sourcing activities: market analysis, requirements gathering, RFx management, supplier evaluation and selection, negotiation, and onboarding. Build and maintain strategic relationships with key service providers and internal stakeholders, acting as a trusted advisor and driving collaborative innovation. Draft, review, and negotiate contract terms across diverse service categories, ensuring favourable commercial outcomes and risk mitigation. Maintain centralised contract registers and manage accurate supplier records to improve visibility and accessibility. Produce regular spend analysis and performance reports, collaborating with Finance to support budgeting, forecasting, and savings initiatives. Drive cost optimisation and value creation while managing supplier risk across all categories. Monitor and manage supplier performance using KPIs, governance meetings, and strategic reviews, leveraging data analytics for continuous improvement. Champion procurement best practices that support organisational sustainability, ethical sourcing, and diversity & inclusion objectives. Escalate and resolve supplier disputes in collaboration with Legal and other stakeholders, ensuring business continuity. Contribute to change management initiatives, enhancing procurement processes, stakeholder engagement, and category maturity across Business Services. Why you’ll make a great member of the team Experience & Knowledge Required Proven track record in managing multiple indirect procurement categories with high organisational impact. Demonstrated success defining and delivering category strategies that align with business goals across diverse services. Solid commercial acumen, with deep understanding of contracts, market dynamics, and supplier negotiations in professional services, legal, marketing, T&E and contingent workforce. Strong experience in delivering cost savings, process improvements, and supplier innovations in complex, multi‑stakeholder environments. Practical knowledge of procurement governance and compliance protocols. Skills Required Exceptional negotiation, influencing, and stakeholder management skills at senior levels. Strong analytical skills with proficiency in data‑driven decision‑making and spend analysis. Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands‑on operational delivery. Comfortable operating across multiple categories simultaneously, prioritising effectively in fast‑paced environments. Collaborative leader with experience driving cross‑functional projects and change management. Excellent communication skills (written and verbal), able to articulate procurement value clearly to business teams. Resilient, adaptable, and solution‑focused, with the ability to challenge constructively. Leadership qualities including coaching, mentoring, and inspiring procurement excellence. Experience in Business Process Outsourcing operations is a plus. Education Required Relevant degree or equivalent experience in procurement, supply chain or related disciplines MCIPS or CIPS certification preferred Additional qualifications in contract law or business management would be beneficial Why you’ll want to work for us Our company is a place where you can be yourself and grow, a place where your ideas and opinions matter. Be you: We pride ourselves on being an inclusive community, where every individual is valued and treated with respect. Be responsible: Our culture is driven by our core values – from operating safely to ensuring our projects are responsible. Be recognized: Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a variety of benefits including annual bonus, retention