Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the transformation of non-food categories into a growth-driven commercial engine.
- Company: Join Foodbuy Group, the UK's leading food procurement organisation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary and the chance to shape the future of procurement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by redefining a critical commercial platform.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in procurement and category strategy.
- Other info: Opportunity to build and mentor a high-performing team in a dynamic environment.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 ÂŁ per year.
Location: London/Chertsey/Hybrid
Salary: Competitive
Business Area: Foodbuy
Reporting to: Chief Commercial Officer
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 wide range of clients to deliver expert procurement, commercial insight and sustainable value across food and non‑food categories. Our people, partners and clients sit at the heart of everything we do. Our scale and supplier reach offer a unique platform to innovate, grow and shape markets.
The Role
We are seeking an experienced SES Category Development Director to lead a step‑change in Foodbuy’s non‑food proposition across Supplies, Equipment & Services (SES). This is a senior leadership role focused on growth, expansion and reinvention. Rather than operating as a traditional category management position, the role exists to transform SES into a growth‑oriented, opportunity‑led commercial engine — broadening capability, entering new spaces and increasing relevance for clients. Operating with significant autonomy and executive‑level influence, the SES Category Development Director will bring fresh thinking, commercial ambition and renewed energy to one of Foodbuy’s most important growth platforms.
Key Responsibilities
- Define and lead Foodbuy’s SES commercial strategy across supplies, equipment and services
- Drive a mindset shift from transactional procurement to growth‑led category development
- Identify and unlock new category opportunities, adjacencies and routes to market
- Expand and reposition the SES offer to deliver greater relevance, choice and value for clients
- Build a diverse supplier ecosystem, including strategic partners and SMEs
- Translate client needs into scalable, compelling SES propositions
- Strengthen strategic supplier relationships while welcoming innovation and disruption
- Work collaboratively across sourcing, category, account management and operations
- Represent Foodbuy credibly with senior clients, suppliers and industry stakeholders
- Build, mentor and energise a high‑performing SES commercial team
About You
You are a senior commercial leader who sees non‑food categories as a platform for growth, not just cost control. You are comfortable challenging legacy thinking, reframing value and creating momentum through change.
Essential experience:
- Senior commercial leadership within non‑food, indirect procurement, services or multi‑category environments
- Strong background in procurement, category or commercial strategy
- Proven success driving growth, expansion or transformation of category portfolios
- Ability to influence credibly with senior clients and suppliers
- Strong commercial judgement and strategic thinking
- Track record of building and developing high‑performing teams
Desirable experience:
- Experience within GPOs, buying groups or multi‑client environments
- Exposure to hospitality, foodservice, facilities or operational services
- Experience working with a diverse supplier base, including SMEs
Why Join Foodbuy?
This is a rare opportunity to redefine and grow a critical commercial platform within a market‑leading organisation. You will shape the future of Foodbuy’s non‑food proposition, unlock new sources of value for clients and suppliers, and build a future‑ready SES team — all within the scale and stability of a FTSE 100 group.
SES Category Development Director in Chertsey employer: Foodbuy
Contact Detail:
Foodbuy Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land SES Category Development Director in Chertsey
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks on LinkedIn or at events. 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. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re someone who understands their market and can bring fresh ideas to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with their needs, especially around growth and innovation in non-food categories. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget 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 proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace SES Category Development Director in Chertsey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the SES Category Development Director role. Highlight your experience in non-food procurement and any leadership roles you've had. We want to see how your background aligns with our vision for growth and transformation!
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 you can drive change at Foodbuy. Be sure to mention specific examples of your past successes in category development or commercial strategy.
Showcase Your Strategic Thinking: In both your CV and cover letter, demonstrate your ability to think strategically. We’re looking for someone who can challenge the status quo and bring fresh ideas to the table. Share instances where you've successfully influenced stakeholders or transformed a category.
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 our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Foodbuy
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Foodbuy's mission and values. Understand their approach to procurement and how they position themselves in the market. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their goals, especially in transforming SES into a growth-oriented engine.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a senior commercial leader, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to lead and inspire teams. Prepare examples of how you've built high-performing teams in the past and how you can energise the SES commercial team at Foodbuy. Highlight your strategic thinking and how you've driven growth in previous roles.
✨Be Ready to Challenge the Norm
Foodbuy is looking for someone who can challenge legacy thinking. Be prepared to discuss innovative ideas and fresh perspectives on category development. Think about how you can shift the mindset from transactional procurement to a more growth-led approach and be ready to share your vision.
✨Engage with Real Scenarios
During the interview, expect to engage in discussions about real-world scenarios. Prepare to talk about how you would identify new category opportunities or build diverse supplier ecosystems. Use specific examples from your past experiences to illustrate your problem-solving skills and commercial judgement.