At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic sourcing projects and deliver value for clients in food procurement.
- Company: Join Foodbuy Group, the UK's top food procurement organisation.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on developing high-performing teams.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainable sourcing and drive innovation in procurement.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategic sourcing and strong commercial acumen required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ 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.
Location: London/Chertsey/Hybrid
Function: Strategic Sourcing
About The Role
Our Strategic Sourcing function plays a critical role in ensuring we deliver the right products and services, at the right price, while supporting wider strategic priorities including Net Zero, Social Value and supply chain integrity. As a Strategic Sourcing Manager, you’ll be a key contributor to the delivery of Foodbuy’s strategic sourcing agenda. You’ll lead and execute sourcing strategies across significant spend categories, taking projects to market in line with the Foodbuy Procurement Framework and delivering clearly demonstrable value for clients. Working closely with Category Development, Category Business Management, Supply Chain and Account teams, you’ll help deliver sourcing excellence across an average of £250m annual spend. You’ll also play a key role in driving innovation in sourcing approaches, tools and outcomes, while developing and coaching a high‑performing team.
Key Responsibilities
- Own and deliver sourcing outcomes across projects within your remit, aligned to the Foodbuy three‑year strategy
- Lead and manage multiple tenders, either directly or through a team of buyers, depending on category complexity
- Ensure sourcing activity delivers against or exceeds agreed targets, following best practice and procurement frameworks
- Build strong relationships with clients, stakeholders and internal teams to identify future value‑creation opportunities
- Raise the profile of Strategic Sourcing by clearly articulating outcomes and value internally and to clients
- Lead, coach and develop buyers to maximise performance and capability
- Identify market trends and best‑in‑class procurement practices, applying insight to sourcing strategies
- Horizon scan upcoming projects, contract expirations and market movements to support a proactive, strategic approach
- Manage commodity and business risk, documenting and demonstrating mitigation strategies
- Research and monitor commodity markets and macro‑economic trends
- Support sustainable sourcing initiatives and contracting compliance
About you
- Strong experience in strategic sourcing and/or category management within retail, foodservice or FMCG
- Working knowledge of end‑to‑end supply chains
- Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders internally and externally
- Strong commercial acumen and confident decision‑maker, comfortable working under pressure
- Track record of delivering cost reduction in challenging market conditions
- Experience managing and developing buyers to improve performance
- Demonstrated strategic procurement capability beyond tactical tendering
- Strong negotiation, facilitation and conflict‑management skills
Desirable
- Degree in a relevant discipline
- Commodity management experience
- MCIPS/CIPS qualified or working towards
Strategic Sourcing Manager — Hybrid (London/Chertsey) employer: Foodbuy Group
Foodbuy Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration in the heart of London and Chertsey. As part of the FTSE 100 Compass Group, employees benefit from extensive professional development opportunities, a commitment to sustainability, and a culture that values teamwork and strategic thinking. With a focus on delivering meaningful impact through responsible sourcing, Foodbuy empowers its team members to drive change while enjoying a hybrid work model that promotes work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Sourcing Manager — Hybrid (London/Chertsey)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the foodservice and procurement sectors. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and showcase your expertise in strategic sourcing.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Foodbuy Group and their strategic sourcing initiatives. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around sustainability and value creation.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your negotiation skills during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed tenders or influenced stakeholders, as this will resonate well with the role's requirements.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Foodbuy team.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Sourcing Manager — Hybrid (London/Chertsey)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Strategic Sourcing Manager role. Highlight your experience in strategic sourcing and category management, especially within retail or foodservice. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about procurement and how you can contribute to Foodbuy's goals. Don’t forget to mention any relevant achievements that demonstrate your commercial acumen.
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that showcase your ability to deliver cost reductions and manage complex tenders. We love numbers, so if you can quantify your successes, even better!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Foodbuy Group
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Strategic Sourcing Manager, you'll be dealing with significant spend categories. Brush up on your financial acumen and be ready to discuss how you've delivered cost reductions in previous roles. Be specific about the figures and outcomes you've achieved.
✨Understand the Market
Research current trends in the food procurement industry, especially around sustainability and supply chain integrity. Being able to articulate how these trends impact sourcing strategies will show that you're proactive and knowledgeable.
✨Build Relationships
Demonstrate your ability to build strong relationships with clients and stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've influenced senior stakeholders in the past and how you plan to do so at Foodbuy Group.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since you'll be leading and coaching a team of buyers, be prepared to discuss your leadership style. Share specific examples of how you've developed team members and maximised their performance in previous roles.
