Category Business Partner

Group Procurement & Partner Management is a Bank of Ireland Group-wide function that provides Strategic Sourcing, Category Management, Partner Relationship Management, Supplier Risk Management & Governance and Procurement Services & Transformation support to all Divisions and Business Units. Group Procurement is part of Group Technology & Customer Solutions.

We facilitate the effective purchase of goods and services across the Bank. We do so with the aim of maximizing value from our total spend whilst protecting against supplier risk.

The Business Partner Management function incorporates Category Business Partnering and Strategic Partner Relationship Management.

What is the opportunity?

Working at Bank of Ireland doesn\’t have to mean working in an office to have an impact. Our dedication to enabling colleagues to thrive means that depending on role type you can have choice and flexibility in where you work and live, subject to your role, customer needs and our requirements. We have a hybrid working model, with home, agile hub and office based options available. We will always list a primary location which can be where you go for in person collaboration, and a location where you can best perform your role.

Please note you must live in the jurisdiction for the business to which you are contracted.

This job can be done anywhere in the Republic of Ireland. The primary office location is Dublin, to which occasional travel will be required, exact frequency to be agreed with manager.

Key Accountabilities

• The Category Business Partner will interface with the relevant business leaders/ stakeholders at multiple levels, as well as cross-functionally to ensure robust category strategies are established and regularly updated
• Ability to effectively and efficiently translate business needs and requirements into category strategies and to demonstrate accountable leadership to ensure the successfully delivery of those category strategies.
• Provide compelling category and sourcing insights to help drive overall strategies
• Serve as a key advisor to senior stakeholders / leaders and partner with them to evaluate key market statistics and trends to define future product strategies
• Understands and optimizes total cost of ownership within the relevant business area when defining sourcing strategies
• Influence the Category Teams at the appropriate level so the category sourcing strategies and priorities are built to meet the Business objectives
• Identify vital activities and resources needed to achieve implementation of chosen sourcing strategies and ensure strategies are implemented.
• Lead the strategic sourcing process for, and negotiation of, strategic partner contracts where required
• Support the budget process through early engagement with stakeholders
• Ensure that the relevant priorities and business requirements are clearly understood and met and that Sourcing activities are aligned appropriately, working with both the offsite and on-site sourcing teams.
• Lead out on sourcing projects partnering with Category Teams to select and onboard any new suppliers, ensure project timelines are met and mitigate any service risks with the project
• Act as the facilitator between the Category Teams and the various business leads in a partnership role.
• Proactively identify and communicate changes in requirements, project needs and business strategy to the category procurement teams in order to mitigate risks or service penalties.
• Work collaboratively with the category and sourcing team to help develop the savings forecasts, including review of financials with leadership; ability to influence stakeholders to keep activities on track.
• Viewed as a valued business advisor and SME supporting Sourcing and business priorities.
• Participate in key meetings ensure right business stakeholder / leader engagement and engage through senior contacts with suppliers where required.
• Any other work which may be required

EssentialSkills & Experience

• Strategic business experience in a similar Procurement function
• Excellent influencing skills at various levels within the Group
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Good organisational skills, detailed oriented, a passion for problem-solving, and a positive attitude.
• Strong category strategy development and authoring skills, coupled with proven ability to seek and secure key stakeholder buy-in to category strategies
• Deep understanding of categories under management and external best practice and key benchmarks in relation to same
• Highly motivated and dedicated to continuous improvement
• Ability to work with multiple priorities, pressure points, and sources of communication on a daily basis
• Ability to confidently articulate and present category strategies to Senior Leader audiences
• Relates well to a variety of people and builds rapport and relationships easily
• Proven executive-level communication and relationship skills and advanced presentation skills
• Ability to build relationships both internally and externally, including establishing solid relationships with key partners
• Leadership skills
• Collaboration and Communication skills
• Strategic thinking
• Business and Commercial Acumen
• Customer Centric
• Results Oriented
• Program and change management
• Manage ambiguity and competing priorities
• Commitment and resilience
• Stakeholder and relationship management

Essential Qualifications

• University degree in Business, Finance or related field
• A professional qualification in Procurement e.g., CPSM, CIPs, IIPMM