At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead retail procurement strategy and drive innovation in food and beverage categories.
- Company: Join Foodbuy Group, the UK's top food procurement organisation within a FTSE 100 company.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and the chance to shape industry-leading strategies.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on retail strategies and build strong partnerships with major brands.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in retail and procurement, with a knack for strategic thinking.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team influencing the future of food procurement.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 ÂŁ per year.
About Foodbuy Group
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 works with a diverse client base to deliver expert procurement, commercial insight and responsible growth across food and non‑food categories.
The Role
We are seeking an experienced Retail Procurement & Growth Director to lead Foodbuy’s retail commercial strategy across impulse‑led categories including cold and hot beverages, confectionery, beers, wines & spirits, and food‑to‑go. This is a senior, high‑impact leadership role that blends retail commercial expertise with strategic procurement capability. Rather than a traditional category management position, the role exists to create competitive advantage through insight, innovation, partnership and value creation. Operating with significant autonomy and executive‑level influence, the Retail Procurement & Growth Director will play a visible and pivotal role in shaping Foodbuy’s future growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and deliver Foodbuy’s retail commercial and procurement strategy
- Translate scale, data and supplier capability into meaningful commercial outcomes for clients
- Shape and deliver a market‑leading retail proposition across impulse categories
- Build and strengthen strategic partnerships with major FMCG brands and wholesale partners
- Drive responsible sourcing, innovation and insight‑led category development
- Collaborate across internal teams to maximise Foodbuy’s full commercial capability
- Represent Foodbuy credibly with senior stakeholders, clients and suppliers
- Build, mentor and develop a high‑performing retail commercial team
About You
You are a senior commercial leader with deep retail and procurement expertise, able to look beyond price to total value — margin, availability, innovation, sustainability and long‑term growth.
Essential Experience
- Senior commercial leadership within retail, impulse or food‑to‑go environments
- Strong background in procurement, buying or category management
- Proven success negotiating with major FMCG manufacturers and wholesalers
- Deep understanding of pricing, promotions, range optimisation and retail execution
- Strong strategic judgement, analytical capability and commercial acumen
- A track record of building and leading high‑performing teams
Desirable Experience
- Exposure to GPOs, buying groups or multi‑client environments
- Experience across hospitality, convenience or workplace retail
- Understanding of sustainability, ESG and evolving consumer trends
Why Join Foodbuy?
This is a rare opportunity to step into a highly influential leadership role within a market‑leading organisation. You will shape the future of Foodbuy’s retail proposition, strengthen strategic supplier relationships and directly impact client success, all within the scale and stability of a FTSE 100 group.
Retail Procurement & growth director in Chertsey employer: Foodbuy Group
Contact Detail:
Foodbuy Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Procurement & growth director in Chertsey
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Ace the Informational Interview
Set up informal chats with professionals in your desired field. This isn’t about asking for a job directly; it’s about gathering insights and advice. Plus, it helps you build relationships that could lead to opportunities down the line.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
Create content that highlights your knowledge in retail procurement and growth strategies. Whether it’s a blog post, a LinkedIn article, or even a video, showing off your expertise can attract attention from recruiters and hiring managers.
✨Apply Through Our Website
When you find a role that excites you, make sure to apply through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Procurement & growth director in Chertsey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Retail Procurement & Growth Director role. Highlight your experience in retail and procurement, and don’t forget to showcase any achievements that demonstrate your strategic judgement and commercial acumen.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for Foodbuy. Mention specific examples of how you've driven growth or built partnerships in previous roles, and show us your passion for the food procurement industry.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a senior leader, we want to see how you’ve built and mentored high-performing teams. Share stories that illustrate your leadership style and how you’ve influenced others to achieve great results in retail environments.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a seamless application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Foodbuy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Foodbuy Group
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Retail Procurement & Growth Director, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of financial metrics. Brush up on key figures related to procurement and retail performance, such as margins, pricing strategies, and supplier negotiations. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you’re not just about the big picture but also the details.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
Prepare to discuss how you've previously shaped commercial strategies. Think of specific examples where your insights led to innovation or competitive advantage. This role is all about blending procurement with strategic growth, so be ready to highlight your experience in driving responsible sourcing and category development.
✨Build Rapport with Stakeholders
Since this position involves representing Foodbuy to senior stakeholders, practice how you would build relationships with clients and suppliers. Share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with major FMCG brands or wholesalers in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to foster partnerships that drive value.
✨Emphasise Team Leadership
You’ll be expected to build and mentor a high-performing team, so come prepared with examples of your leadership style. Discuss how you've developed teams in the past, focusing on how you’ve nurtured talent and driven performance. This will show that you can lead effectively while aligning with Foodbuy’s goals.