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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead category strategy and drive growth in a dynamic procurement environment.
- Company: Join Foodbuy, the UK's largest Group Purchasing Organisation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, pension plan, private healthcare, and hybrid work options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact and shape the future of procurement.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategic category management and strong negotiation skills.
- Other info: Opportunity to lead a talented team and drive innovation.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Salary: Competitive Salary with bonus, pension plan and private healthcare
Shift hours: Full Time
Location: Chertsey/London/Hybrid
About Foodbuy
Foodbuy Group is a leading food procurement organisation based in the UK. With over £2bn of managed spend, we bring together the widest range of foodservice and hospitality clients to buy food and non-food. As the UK’s largest Group Purchasing Organisation, we work closely with our clients to deliver expert procurement services—saving them time and money, enabling them to focus on what really matters to their businesses.
About the Role
We’re looking for a Category Development Manager – Indirects to join our dynamic Supplies, Equipment & Services (SES) Category Team at Foodbuy. This is a high-impact leadership role where you’ll take full ownership of your category strategy and deliver measurable growth, cost savings, and long-term value for our clients. You’ll lead procurement and supplier management strategies, leveraging our group scale to unlock competitive advantage and drive commercial performance. Working in a fast-paced, complex environment, you’ll influence and engage a diverse range of stakeholders—including internal teams, clients, and suppliers—while ensuring supply chain resilience and negotiating sustainable commercial terms. This role requires strong leadership skills, as you’ll manage and develop a high-performing team. Your ability to think strategically, act decisively, and collaborate cross-functionally will be key to success.
What You’ll Do
- Develop and execute a long-term category strategy to deliver sustainable improvements in cost, quality, service, and innovation.
- Secure the best price, quality, and sustainable products.
- Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, identifying new opportunities and driving commercial value.
- Monitor market trends and ensure we remain industry-leading.
- Deliver financial targets including inflation mitigation and new commercial value.
- Ensure compliance with legislation, regulations, and sustainability requirements.
- Represent Foodbuy at industry events and communicate trends across the business.
- Support sales and bid teams and influence external clients to adopt our commercial terms.
- Work closely with sustainability teams to deliver programs and commitments.
About You
- Proven experience in strategic category management within a complex procurement or commercial environment.
- Strong commercial acumen with a track record of delivering growth and cost savings.
- Excellent negotiation and supplier relationship management skills.
- Skilled in influencing stakeholders across multiple functions and levels.
- Experienced in leading and developing high-performing teams.
- Confident communicator and presenter with strong analytical skills.
- Proactive, results-oriented mindset with a passion for innovation and continuous improvement.
- Strong understanding of supply chain dynamics, risk management, and market trends.
Why Join Us?
At Foodbuy, we’re committed to driving innovation and delivering exceptional value for our clients. You’ll have the opportunity to make a real impact, lead a talented team, and shape the future of our category strategy. Ready to take the next step? Apply today and help us transform the way we deliver value to our clients.
Category Manager - Full Time - Chertsey employer: Compass Group
Contact Detail:
Compass Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager - Full Time - Chertsey
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its competitors. Understand their values and how your skills align with their goals. This will help you stand out and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Category Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to secure the best deals. Role-play common scenarios with friends or mentors to build your confidence before the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our team at Foodbuy.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager - Full Time - Chertsey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Category Manager role. Highlight your strategic category management experience and any relevant achievements that showcase your commercial acumen.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how your background aligns with our mission at Foodbuy. Be specific about your leadership skills and how you’ve driven growth in previous roles.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on quantifiable results. Did you save costs or improve supplier relationships? Numbers speak volumes, so don’t shy away from sharing your successes!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s the easiest way for us to see your application and get you into the process quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group
✨Know Your Category Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of category management, especially in the food procurement sector. Familiarise yourself with current market trends, key suppliers, and innovative practices that can drive cost savings and value for clients.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading high-performing teams. Be ready to discuss how you've developed team members and driven results through effective leadership, as this role requires strong management capabilities.
✨Master the Art of Negotiation
Since negotiation is a crucial part of the role, think of specific instances where you successfully negotiated terms with suppliers or stakeholders. Highlight your strategies and the outcomes to demonstrate your commercial acumen.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Be prepared to discuss how you’ve influenced diverse stakeholders in previous roles. Share examples of how you’ve built relationships and collaborated across functions to achieve common goals, as this will be key in your new role at Foodbuy.