At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead F&B procurement strategy and drive savings through innovative sourcing.
- Company: Join Haven, part of the award-winning Bourne Leisure family.
- Benefits: Enjoy a holiday buy scheme, annual bonus, and exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in food and beverage management while collaborating with diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in F&B category management and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
Ready to make a real impact on how Haven sources and manages food and beverage? We're looking for a Procurement Category Manager who'll own our entire F&B category - from spotting brilliant sourcing opportunities to building strong supplier partnerships and driving meaningful savings across the board. You'll be the go-to expert for all things F&B procurement, steering contracts, managing relationships, and spotting ways we can work smarter and deliver better value. If you're someone who gets energised by solving problems, building teams, and turning commercial strategy into real results, we'd love to hear from you.
What you will be doing:
- Leading our F&B procurement strategy - developing and executing category strategy in partnership with the F&B team, maximising value whilst managing risk
- Owning the full procurement lifecycle - from tendering and supplier selection through negotiation, contract management and ongoing relationship management
- Driving savings and innovation - identifying and delivering a pipeline of cost-saving opportunities, continuous improvement and supplier performance enhancements
- Ensuring compliance and quality - managing product specifications, recipes and menus to meet legislative requirements and stakeholder needs, acting as our F&B procurement expert
- Collaborating across Haven - working with Finance and Procurement teams to track market conditions, manage budgets and support broader procurement strategy and governance
What we'd like you to bring:
- Proven experience as an F&B Category Manager in multi-site hospitality, with proven success developing category strategies and leading complex sourcing activities
- Strong commercial expertise - demonstrated track record in high-value negotiations, contract management and delivering measurable savings, operational efficiencies and innovation
- Strategic procurement knowledge - understanding of procurement principles, best practice and ability to use procurement systems (such as Coupa) and sourcing tools confidently
- Excellent stakeholder skills - proven ability to communicate, influence and engage across internal and external stakeholders, driving positive change through influence rather than authority
- Solutions-focused mindset - pragmatic approach with sound commercial judgement, continuous improvement focus and ability to manage multiple priorities autonomously in a fast-paced environment
What's In It For You?
- 'Holiday Buy Scheme'
- Annual bonus
- Generous discounts on both Haven and Warner Hotels holiday for you, family and friends
- Comprehensive wellbeing support
- Exclusive discounts with corporate partners
- Exciting career pathways, including Learning and Development opportunities such as Apprenticeships and Degrees
- Enhanced family friendly policies and pay (eligibility criteria applied)
Who are we?
We're part of the award-winning Bourne Leisure family - Haven & Warner Hotels - with 9,000 team members across 39 seaside locations and our HQ in Hemel Hempstead. We're defined by our people and our Breath of Fresh Air culture, which values authenticity and supports every team member. We operate a hybrid model (60% office-based, occasionally on Park or at external events), and we're genuinely committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments, flexible working, part-time, or job-share options where possible.
What to expect in recruitment
The interview process is up to 3 stages and may include a presentation or skills test. If you need any support or reasonable adjustments to perform at your best, just let us know - we're here to help.
How to Apply
We're committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, and we encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply. To get started, click apply now and answer a few quick questions, which should take 5 minutes. Once submitted, a member of our team will be in touch.
Category Manager - F&B - Hertfordshire in Hemel Hempstead employer: Haven Holidays
Join our vibrant team in Cornwall as an Ice Cream Assistant, where we pride ourselves on creating a fun and friendly work environment. With opportunities for personal growth and development, you'll be part of a supportive culture that values teamwork and exceptional guest service. Enjoy the unique advantage of working in a picturesque location, serving delightful treats to happy customers while maintaining high standards of cleanliness and organisation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager - F&B - Hertfordshire in Hemel Hempstead
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Haven Holidays.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager - F&B - Hertfordshire in Hemel Hempstead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Haven Holidays:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Haven Holidays. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Haven Holidays.
How to prepare for a job interview at Haven Holidays
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Haven Holidays!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Haven Holidays. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Haven Holidays's culture.
