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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, hybrid work, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact and shape the future of procurement.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategic category management and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on innovation and sustainability.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Chertsey/London/Hybrid
Salary: Competitive
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 in Ottershaw employer: Foodbuy
Contact Detail:
Foodbuy Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager in Ottershaw
✨Tip Number 1
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 to reach out for informational chats. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its competitors. Understand their values and recent developments. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role at Foodbuy.
✨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 scenarios with friends or mentors to build confidence before those crucial discussions.
✨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 serious about joining the Foodbuy team and ready to make an impact.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager in Ottershaw
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Category Development Manager role. Highlight your strategic category management experience and any relevant achievements that showcase your ability to deliver growth and cost savings.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Use it to demonstrate your understanding of procurement strategies and how you can contribute to our mission at Foodbuy.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves managing a high-performing team, be sure to highlight your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've developed teams and driven results in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for joining Foodbuy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Foodbuy
✨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
Be prepared to discuss your experience in leading high-performing teams. Share specific examples of how you've developed team members and driven results through effective leadership. This will demonstrate your capability to manage and inspire a team at Foodbuy.
✨Master the Art of Negotiation
Since negotiation is crucial for this role, come armed with examples of successful negotiations you've led. Highlight your strategies for securing the best prices and terms while maintaining strong supplier relationships. This will show your commercial acumen.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Prepare to discuss how you’ve influenced and engaged diverse stakeholders in previous roles. Think about specific instances where your communication skills made a difference, as this will be key in collaborating across functions at Foodbuy.
