Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage procurement processes and supplier relationships for NHS food services.
- Company: Foodbuy UK is a leading food procurement organisation, serving over 150 NHS Trusts.
- Benefits: Enjoy structured learning, career progression, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team dedicated to enhancing procurement efficiency and driving innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience in public sector procurement, especially in food, and knowledge of relevant regulations required.
- Other info: Hands-on experience with Jaggaer eProcurement systems is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Category Buyer – Chertsey
Category Buyer
Foodbuy UK
Foodbuy is a leading food procurement organisation in the UK, managing over 2.3bn in spend. We bring together a wide range of foodservice and hospitality clients to provide best-in-class food and non-food procurement solutions. Since being awarded the NHS Supply Chain contract in 2018, we have been responsible for sourcing food for over 150 NHS Trusts across the UK.
We now have an exciting opportunity for a Category Buyer to join our team. As a NHSSC Category Buyer, you will manage the entire end to end procurement process for your category on behalf of NHS Supply Chain: Food. You will manage all category supplier relationships, engage and support a wide range of stakeholders and execute best sourcing procurement processes in accordance with the Public Contract Regulations 2015/Procurement Act 2023.
Key Responsibilities
- Utilise the Jaggaer eProcurement portal to run tenders, Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPS), e-auctions,
- Ensure all procurement activities are conducted fairly and transparently while identifying opportunities for process improvements within Jaggaer.
- Develop professional, consistent, and compliant further competition documentation, including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and user guides.
- Create and deliver training and awareness programmes for stakeholders, ensuring alignment across teams.
- Contribute to Category and Sourcing Strategies, helping to achieve cost savings and enhance procurement efficiency for NHS clients.
- Support market growth and cost-saving objectives by identifying opportunities to drive value and innovation within procurement practices.
- Build strong relationships with stakeholders across various functions, collaborating effectively to achieve strategic procurement goals.
About You
- Passionate about procurement governance and compliance, with a strong motivation to protect and enhance business operations.
- Experience in public sector procurement, ideally within the food industry.
- Strong knowledge of Procurement Act 2023, Public Contract Regulations 2015, and NHS procurement frameworks.
- Hands-on experience using Jaggaer eProcurement systems or similar procurement platforms.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage and influence at all levels.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with an aptitude for improving processes and driving efficiencies.
- Ability to develop and deliver training programmes, ensuring best practices are upheld across teams.
- A proactive, detail-oriented approach with the ability to manage multiple projects effectively.
Why Join Foodbuy?
At Foodbuy, we are committed to developing talent and providing clear career pathways. We offer structured learning and development programmes, career progression opportunities, and a chance to be part of a procurement team that makes a real impact-delivering value and savings for the NHS and other key clients.
Apply now and take the next step in your procurement career with Foodbuy UK!
Contact Detail:
Foodbuy Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Buyer - Chertsey
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Jaggaer eProcurement portal, as it's a key tool for this role. Consider taking online tutorials or webinars to enhance your understanding of how to run tenders and manage procurement processes effectively.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023 and Public Contract Regulations 2015. Being well-versed in these regulations will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to compliance and governance in procurement.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with professionals in the public sector procurement space, especially those with experience in the food industry. Engaging with others can provide insights into best practices and may even lead to valuable connections within NHS procurement.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your stakeholder management skills in detail. Think of examples where you've successfully engaged and influenced stakeholders, as this is crucial for the Category Buyer role at Foodbuy.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Buyer - Chertsey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in procurement, especially within the public sector and food industry. Emphasise your familiarity with the Procurement Act 2023 and Public Contract Regulations 2015.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for procurement governance and compliance. Mention specific examples of how you've improved processes or driven efficiencies in previous roles.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, clearly outline your skills in stakeholder management, communication, and analytical problem-solving. Provide examples of how you've successfully engaged with stakeholders at various levels.
Showcase Training Experience: If you have experience developing and delivering training programmes, make sure to include this in your application. Highlight any successful initiatives that align with the role's responsibilities.
How to prepare for a job interview at Foodbuy
✨Know Your Procurement Regulations
Familiarise yourself with the Procurement Act 2023 and Public Contract Regulations 2015. Being able to discuss these regulations confidently will demonstrate your understanding of the legal framework governing procurement, which is crucial for a Category Buyer role.
✨Showcase Your Experience with Jaggaer
If you have hands-on experience using the Jaggaer eProcurement system or similar platforms, be prepared to discuss specific examples. Highlight how you've utilised these tools in past roles to improve procurement processes and drive efficiencies.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement Questions
Expect questions about how you manage relationships with stakeholders. Prepare examples that showcase your communication skills and ability to influence at various levels, as this is key to achieving strategic procurement goals.
✨Demonstrate Your Analytical Skills
Be ready to discuss how you've used analytical skills to solve problems or improve processes in previous roles. Providing concrete examples of cost-saving initiatives or process improvements will help illustrate your capabilities.
