Category Strategy Support Manager - Payments

bp; Kuala Lumpur; Hybrid; MYR 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life and health insurance

Learning opportunities

Career development

Employee benefits

Job summary

bp in Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) is seeking a Category Strategy Support Manager – Payments to develop and execute category strategies for card processing, payment networks, and related services. You will lead a category support team, work with internal stakeholders and suppliers, drive cost optimisation and risk management, and help shape sourcing strategies across payments technology and operations.

The role requires 8–10 years in indirect procurement, strong commercial acumen, and

Qualifications

• Experience in indirect procurement and category management.
• Knowledge of payments ecosystems and supplier landscapes.
• Ability to lead strategic sourcing and manage senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies for Payments.
• Lead a category support team.
• Create high-quality presentations and reports.
• Collaborate with stakeholders and suppliers to identify cost savings.
• Drive supplier performance management and risk mitigation.
• Improve category processes, tools, KPIs, governance.
• Oversee procurement channels and contract compliance.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Supplier management

Stakeholder management

Negotiation skills

Financial acumen

Payments domain knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Procurement/Supply Chain

Tools

SAP Ariba

Salesforce

Compass

Job description

Job Family Group

Procurement & Supply Chain Management Group

Entity

Technology

Job Description

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.

About The Role

The Category Strategy Support Manager – Payments plays a key role in developing and executing category strategies that drive value, manage risk, and optimise supplier performance across bp's Payments portfolio. Working closely with Category Managers, business stakeholders, and suppliers, you will provide strategic insight, market intelligence, and supplier management support while helping shape sourcing strategies across card processing, payment networks, merchant services, debit routing, and broader payments technology and operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the development and execution of category strategies across the Payments portfolio, including card processing, payment services, debit routing, and payments technology solutions.
• Lead a category support team, ensuring work is prioritised effectively and aligned to business objectives and procurement priorities.
• Develop high-quality presentations, reports, and strategic communications that support stakeholder engagement and informed decision-making.
• Partner with internal stakeholders and suppliers to identify opportunities for cost optimisation, service improvements, risk management, and value creation.
• Drive supplier performance management activities, including reviews, risk assessments, improvement plans, and issue resolution.
• Lead continuous improvement of category processes, sourcing tools, KPIs, governance, and reporting practices.
• Manage procurement buying channels and commercial controls, ensuring compliance with contracts, pricing structures, and procurement policies.

Essential Requirements

• Degree in Business, Procurement, Finance, Supply Chain, or a 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 Payments-related categories, including one or more of:
  • Card Processing
  • Payment Networks (e.g., Visa, Mastercard)
  • Debit Routing
  • Merchant Acquiring
  • Payment Gateways
  • Payment Technology Services
  • Financial Services or FinTech suppliers
• Strong understanding of payment ecosystems, supplier landscapes, commercial models, contracts, and regulatory considerations within payments.
• Experience developing category strategies, conducting market analysis, and translating business requirements into sourcing and supplier management initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to manage senior stakeholders and build relationships across global, cross-functional teams.
• Strong commercial acumen, analytical capability, negotiation skills, and experience delivering measurable value through supplier partnerships.
• Experience leading teams or delivering outcomes through matrix and project-based environments.
• Comfortable working in a complex, fast-paced, and globally distributed organisation.

Desirable

• CIPS qualification or working towards membership.
• Experience with payment processing platforms, merchant services providers, banking partners, or fintech organisations.
• Experience with SAP Ariba, Salesforce, Compass, or similar procurement technologies.
• Strong digital fluency and interest in emerging payments technologies and industry trends.
• Experience working across international and multicultural environments with remote stakeholder groups.

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

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 on 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.