At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead food strategy and manage complex supply chains for a top food procurement organisation.
- Company: Join Foodbuy, the UK's leading food procurement group under Compass Group.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team focused on sustainability and innovation.
- Why this job: Shape the future of food procurement and influence key stakeholders in a FTSE 100 company.
- Qualifications: Senior experience in food procurement with strong leadership and strategic skills.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Location: London/Chertsey/Hybrid
Salary: Competitive
Contract: Permanent
Reporting to: Chief Commercial Officer
About Foodbuy
Foodbuy Group is the UK's leading food procurement organisation, managing over £2bn of spend across foodservice and hospitality. Part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, a FTSE 100 business, Foodbuy partners with clients and suppliers to deliver resilient supply chains, commercial value and sustainable outcomes at scale.
The Role
We are looking for an experienced Food Category Development Director to lead Foodbuy's food strategy across core and specialist food categories during a period of ongoing market volatility and growth. This is a senior leadership role focused on shaping strategy, strengthening supply resilience and creating long‑term commercial advantage. It goes beyond traditional category management, combining deep food expertise with strategic procurement leadership, innovation and risk management. You will operate with significant autonomy and executive‑level influence, playing a pivotal role in Foodbuy's credibility, performance and growth agenda.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead Foodbuy's food commercial strategy across all food categories
- Translate scale, insight and supplier capability into strong client outcomes
- Manage inflation, supply risk and continuity across complex food supply chains
- Shape and deliver a market‑leading food procurement proposition
- Strengthen strategic supplier partnerships and develop new relationships
- Collaborate across sourcing, category, account management and operations
- Represent Foodbuy at senior client, supplier and executive levels
- Build and develop a high‑performing food commercial team
About You
- Senior commercial leader with strong experience in food procurement or foodservice supply chains
- Proven track record managing inflation, supply disruption and complex negotiations
- Deep understanding of food markets, quality, specification and logistics
- Strong strategic judgement with high commercial and analytical capability
- Experienced people leader with a collaborative, delivery‑focused style
Desirable
- Experience within GPOs, buying groups or multi‑client environments
- Exposure to hospitality or contract catering
- Strong understanding of sustainability and responsible sourcing
Why Join Foodbuy?
This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of food procurement within a market‑leading organisation. You'll lead critical categories, influence senior stakeholders and deliver tangible value for clients - all within the scale and stability of a FTSE 100 group.
Food Category Development Director in Chertsey employer: Compass Group UK & Ireland
Foodbuy Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in London/Chertsey that fosters innovation and collaboration. As part of the FTSE 100 Compass Group, employees benefit from competitive salaries, robust career development opportunities, and the chance to influence the future of food procurement on a large scale. Join us to be part of a high-performing team dedicated to delivering sustainable outcomes and commercial value in the foodservice industry.
Contact Details:
Compass Group UK & Ireland Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Food Category Development Director in Chertsey
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend food procurement events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Foodbuy and its competitors. Understand their food strategy and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. We want to see you shine and show us why you're the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Bring examples of how you've managed supply risks or led successful negotiations in the past. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their impact in real-world scenarios.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. We’re excited to see your application and hopefully welcome you to the Foodbuy team!
We think you need these skills to ace Food Category Development Director in Chertsey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Food Category Development Director role. Highlight your experience in food procurement and any relevant achievements that showcase your strategic judgement and leadership skills.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about food procurement and how your background aligns with our mission at Foodbuy. Be specific about how you can contribute to our growth and resilience.
Showcase Your Leadership Style:We want to know about your people management skills! Share examples of how you've built high-performing teams and fostered collaboration in previous roles. This will help us see how you can lead our food commercial team effectively.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining the Foodbuy family!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group UK & Ireland
✨Know Your Food Market Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and challenges in the food procurement sector. Understand how inflation and supply chain disruptions are affecting the industry, and be ready to discuss your insights during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare examples of how you've shaped commercial strategies in previous roles. Be specific about your approach to managing supplier relationships and how you've navigated complex negotiations to achieve successful outcomes.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a senior role, they’ll want to see your people management style. Think of instances where you've built high-performing teams or collaborated across departments to deliver results. Highlight your ability to inspire and lead others.
✨Align with Their Values
Familiarise yourself with Foodbuy's commitment to sustainability and responsible sourcing. Be prepared to discuss how your values align with theirs and share any relevant experiences that demonstrate your commitment to these principles.
