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- Tasks: Lead the strategy and management of a £20m category in food procurement.
- Company: Join Foodbuy, a top UK food procurement organisation under Compass Group UK&I.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, free meals, private medical, and wellness perks.
- Why this job: Take ownership of a high-profile category and influence major clients' procurement strategies.
- Qualifications: Experience in category management or procurement, strong negotiation and analytical skills required.
- Other info: Opportunity for career development in a dynamic, data-driven environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.
Category Manager - Impulse Hybrid (Chertsey or London-based) | Competitive Salary + Bonus | Private Medical | Free Meals | Career Development
Join one of the UK's leading food procurement organisations and help shape the future of the Impulse category. At Foodbuy, we manage over £2bn in spend annually, working with the biggest names in foodservice and hospitality to deliver best-in-class procurement solutions. As part of Compass Group UK&I, our impact spans the public and private sectors and we're growing.
We're now hiring a Category Manager - Impulse to lead the strategic development and day-to-day management of a £20m category within our £270m Retail portfolio. This is a fantastic opportunity to take full ownership of a high-profile category and influence procurement strategy across a range of well-known clients.
What You'll Be Doing:
- Own and evolve the Impulse category strategy, delivering a 3-year growth plan aligned with wider business goals.
- Lead supplier relationships, from contract management to performance reviews, using data to drive improvement.
- Manage category range implementation across the UK & Ireland, ensuring excellence in supply chain compliance and commercial value.
- Drive volume growth and rebate delivery through collaboration with Strategic Sourcing and internal stakeholders.
- Lead and support a Category Buyer, fostering development and performance.
- Monitor and manage supplier service levels into distributors, ensuring high standards and business continuity.
- Keep your finger on the pulse with competitor intelligence, market insight, and trend analysis to identify growth opportunities.
What You'll Bring:
- Proven experience in category management or procurement, ideally within FMCG, retail, or foodservice.
- World-class negotiation skills and a strong commercial mindset.
- Excellent leadership and project management capabilities.
- Strong analytical ability and confidence in drawing insights from complex data sets.
- A collaborative mindset with the ability to work cross-functionally and influence stakeholders at all levels.
What's in It for You:
- Competitive salary + bonus scheme
- Private medical insurance
- Free meals on site
- Contributory pension scheme
- Career pathways and personalised development
- Digital GP & wellbeing support
- Discounts with major retailers, cinemas, travel brands & more
- Wellness sessions including mindfulness & exercise classes
- Perks you can share with friends and family
If you're a commercially driven category professional looking to take ownership of a strategic portfolio in a dynamic and data-led environment, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and make your mark at the UK's leading group purchasing organisation.
Contact Detail:
Compass Group UK & Ireland Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in the foodservice and FMCG sectors. Understanding current market dynamics will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your passion and commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the procurement and category management fields. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who can provide insights or even referrals for the position.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed supplier relationships and driven growth in previous roles. Being able to articulate your achievements will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Foodbuy and Compass Group UK&I thoroughly. Understanding their values, mission, and recent developments will allow you to tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their success.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in category management or procurement, especially within FMCG, retail, or foodservice. Use specific examples that demonstrate your negotiation skills and commercial mindset.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of the Impulse category and how you can contribute to Foodbuy's goals. Mention your leadership experience and ability to work cross-functionally, as these are key for this role.
Highlight Analytical Skills: In your application, emphasise your strong analytical abilities. Provide examples of how you've used data to drive improvements in previous roles, as this is crucial for managing supplier relationships and category strategy.
Showcase Collaboration Experience: Demonstrate your collaborative mindset by including instances where you've worked with various stakeholders to achieve common goals. This will show that you can influence and lead teams effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group UK & Ireland
✨Showcase Your Category Management Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience in category management or procurement, especially within FMCG, retail, or foodservice. Highlight specific examples where you successfully managed a category and drove growth.
✨Demonstrate Negotiation Skills
Since world-class negotiation skills are crucial for this role, come equipped with examples of successful negotiations you've led. Discuss the strategies you used and the outcomes achieved to showcase your commercial mindset.
✨Prepare for Data-Driven Discussions
As the role requires strong analytical abilities, be ready to talk about how you've used data to inform decisions. Bring examples of complex data sets you've worked with and how you derived insights that influenced category strategy.
✨Emphasise Leadership and Collaboration
This position involves leading a Category Buyer and working cross-functionally. Share experiences where you've successfully led a team or collaborated with various stakeholders to achieve common goals, demonstrating your leadership capabilities.
