Category Strategy Support Manager - Rail and Bulk Fuel Road Logistics

Entity:

Technology

Job Family Group:

Procurement & Supply Chain Management Group

Job Description:

Role Synopsis

The Category Strategy Support Manager – Rail and Bulk Fuel Road Logistics plays a key role in developing and communicating category strategies that align with business goals, value creation, risk mitigation, and supply chain optimization across the bp rail and road logistics spend portfolio. Working closely with Rail and Bulk Fuel Road category managers, business stakeholders, and suppliers, you will provide strategic insight, market intelligence, and supplier management support to drive procurement and business objectives across the Rail and Bulk Fuel Road logistics portfolio!

Working Hours: This role operates on a shift basis and requires flexibility.

Candidates must be flexible to work either:

• Shift A (ASPAC/EU): 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM MYT, or

• Shift B (ASPAC/US): 5:00 PM – 2:00 AM MYT.

Key Accountabilities

• Partner with Rail and Bulk Fuel Road logistics category Managers, stakeholders and suppliers to develop and execute category strategies that deliver value, handle risk and support bp’s commercial and operational objectives.

• Lead and coordinate a category support team, assessing incoming requests and prioritising work based on urgency, complexity and business impact.

• Prepare high-quality presentations, reports and communications tailored to stakeholder needs to secure alignment and support for category strategies.

• Conduct market analysis and research to generate strategic insights and identify future value delivery opportunities.

• Support demand planning, change management and the development of compelling business cases that drive adoption of category initiatives.

• Manage Strategic and Core suppliers through stakeholder engagement, value delivery, category enablement and alignment with broader procurement objectives.

• Track and report category performance, KPIs and change initiatives to ensure successful execution of strategy and continuous improvement.

• Standardize and enhance category sourcing processes, templates, KPIs and scope reviews to improve efficiency and identify value opportunities.

• Implement supplier performance management practices, maintain supplier relationships, drive performance reviews and develop improvement plans to address risk, safety and performance gaps.

• Optimize procurement channels and SAP Ariba content, ensuring contract compliance, pricing accuracy, efficient buying processes and effective risk controls.

Essential Education:

• An undergraduate degree (ideally in procurement or business) or equivalent experience.

• Minimum 8-10 years professional experience in Indirect Procurement is required.

Essential Experience and Job Requirements:

• Degree in Business, Procurement, logistics and Supply Chain, or related discipline, or equivalent experience.

• Minimum 8–10 years' experience in Indirect Procurement, Category Management, Strategic Sourcing, or Supplier Management.

• Proven experience managing or supporting Rail and Bulk Fuel Road logistics or other complex logistics categories.

• Working knowledge of Rail logistics ecosystem features including short lines, demurrage/detention rules, tariff vs. contract dynamics, railcar leasing cycles, corridor bottlenecks.

• Working knowledge of Bulk Fuel Road logistics ecosystem including 3PL, rack pricing mechanics, indexation, fuel surcharge frameworks, card programs, wet‑hose/mobile refueling models, terminal/terminal access constraints.

• Strong understanding of supplier markets, commercial models, contract management, and value creation levers within Rail and Road Fuel or other complex logistics categories.

• Experience developing or supporting development of category strategies, conducting market analysis, and translating business requirements into sourcing and supplier management initiatives.

• Demonstrated ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders across global, cross-functional environments.

• Strong commercial acumen, analytical capability, stakeholder management, and negotiation skills.

• Experience leading teams or delivering outcomes through matrix and project-based environments.

• Comfortable operating in a complex, fast-paced, and globally distributed organization.

Desirable criteria

• Working towards or Membership of Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS)

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

• Experience of working cross culturally and in an international environment.

• Demonstrated ability to establish and manage close relationships remotely.

• Ability to communicate and influence across different levels in the organization 

• Engaging and collaborative way of working 

• Resilient and experienced in working in multi-faceted environment 

At bp, we provide the following environment and benefits to you:

• A company culture where we respect our diverse and unified teams, where we are proud of our achievements and where fun and the demeanor of giving back to our environment are highly valued

• Possibility to join our social communities and networks

• Learning opportunities and other development opportunities to craft your career path

• Life and health insurance, medical care package

• And many other benefits.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform crucial job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment

Travel Requirement

No travel is expected with this role

Relocation Assistance:

This role is not eligible for relocation

Remote Type:

This position is a hybrid of office/remote working

Skills:

Agility core practices, Agility tools, Analytical Thinking, Business Acumen, Business Requirements Analysis, Category spend profiling, Category Strategy, Cost modelling, Digital Fluency, Negotiating, Negotiation planning and preparation, Product and market intelligence, Supplier Performance Management, Supplier Relationship Management, Value creation and management

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Legal Disclaimer:

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.