Category Buyer -Professional Services

ITG Brands is the third-largest tobacco company in the USA with offerings of some of the most well-known cigarette, cigar, and e-vapor brands. As a member of the globally recognized Imperial Brands PLC family, we are a forward-thinking partner with operational integrity.

ITG Brands is committed to putting consumers at the center of what we do, while creating an innovative workplace where inclusion, creativity, and bold thinking drive progress. This empowers us to bring our true selves to work, to collaborate more effectively through showing our passion and being confident to bring new ideas to the table.

We are not afraid to seize opportunities and make things happen – both individually and collaboratively. We strive to exceed expectations by seeing things differently and doing things differently. This truly is a place where we all share a challenger mindset which drives our success.

Responsible for executing the category strategy for Professional Services, including sourcing, negotiation and contract management across areas such as consulting, legal and P&C. The role secures best value, supports alignment with business needs, drives supplier performance, cost & cash optimisation and risk management, and builds effective stakeholder and supplier relationships. The role works closely with the Professional & Corporate Services Manager, Global CoE and IBH to ensure compliance with spend controls set within the category strategy.

• Support the Professional & Corporate Services Manager in developing and executing category plans across approximately £22m annual spend and over 300 suppliers across the region.
• Execute category plans, including strategic sourcing and contract negotiation covering rates, terms and service levels.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal region business stakeholders, Global COE, IBH and external service providers.
• Conduct contract administration and supplier performance management activities.
• Manage supplier performance and supplier relationships across assigned professional services categories.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with agreed procurement policies, buying channels, preferred suppliers and spend controls.
• Manage risk and sustainability requirements within agreed frameworks.

• Partner with senior stakeholders, to identify and manage demand as well as implement category strategy.
• Recommend sourcing approaches for professional services requirements, such as RFQ, RFP, or framework use.
• Determine supplier shortlist and recommendation for award in line with category strategy and stakeholder needs.
• Lead sourcing events, supplier negotiations and award recommendations up to independently and in line with Procurement Delegated Authority and Group Approval requirements.
• Evaluate supplier proposals and provide supplier selection recommendations based on capability, risk and value.
• Decide commercial negotiation positions on rates, contract terms and service level expectations.
• Deliver annual cost and cash targets across assigned categories.
• Manages relationships with key suppliers within the Americas Region.
• Recommend appropriate suppliers to engage or retain based on supplier performance data and business demand.
• Identify risk and compliance issues and determine appropriate mitigation and actions.

• Strong sourcing and supplier negotiation capability across professional services or indirect procurement categories.
• Ability to execute category plans and sourcing activity in line with agreed strategy, governance and delegated authority.
• Good commercial judgement across cost, quality, service levels, risk and supplier performance.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to…