At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead beef procurement strategies and influence sourcing decisions across 1,600+ sites.
- Company: Join Mitchells & Butlers, a top UK hospitality business with beloved brands.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, flexible working, private medical cover, and an annual bonus scheme.
- Other info: Mobile role with travel opportunities and a culture of inclusion and teamwork.
- Why this job: Shape the food experience for millions while developing your career in hospitality.
- Qualifications: Proven food procurement experience and strong negotiation skills required.
Shape the future of food at one of the UK's leading hospitality businesses. At Mitchells & Butlers, we're proud to be the home of some of the UK's best-loved hospitality brands, including Miller & Carter, Toby Carvery, All Bar One, Harvester, Ember Inns and Premium Country Pubs. With over 1,600 restaurants, pubs and bars nationwide, we serve millions of guests every year and that scale creates opportunities that few organisations can match.
We're now looking for an experienced Food Procurement Manager to join us on a permanent basis, to take ownership of one of our most strategically important categories, beef. This is an exciting opportunity to influence sourcing decisions across one of the UK's largest hospitality beef portfolios, ensuring we continue to deliver exceptional quality, value and sustainability for both our guests and our business.
If you're passionate about procurement, thrive on market dynamics and negotiations, and want to see the direct impact of your work in restaurants and pubs across the country, this could be your next career-defining move.
Why Mitchells & Butlers? At Mitchells & Butlers, you'll be joining a business where procurement is recognised as a key strategic function. You'll have the opportunity to influence decisions at scale, collaborate with industry-leading specialists, and play a vital role in shaping the food experience enjoyed by millions of guests. We're committed to investing in our people and creating an environment where talent can thrive. Through collaboration, innovation and continuous development, we give our teams the support, autonomy and opportunities they need to succeed.
What's in it for you? Whether it's a celebratory meal at Miller & Carter, a family gathering at Toby Carvery or drinks with friends at All Bar One, you'll enjoy fantastic discounts across the brands you help support, and a fantastic benefits package to include:
- Company Car or car allowance
- Annual Bonus Scheme - because we believe great performance deserves great rewards
- Private Medical Cover for added peace of mind
- Flexible Working to support work-life balance
- Buy up to 2 additional weeks' holiday each year
- 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- 33% discount across all Mitchells & Butlers brands
- Pension scheme
- Free Shares through our employee share schemes
- High street and lifestyle discounts via Pick a Perk
- Employee Assistance Programme providing confidential support whenever you need it
What you'll be doing: As part of our specialist Food Procurement team, you'll work alongside experienced category professionals to develop and deliver procurement strategies that maximise value, quality and sustainability. Key responsibilities include:
- Leading procurement activity for our beef category, managing significant annual spend across a portfolio supporting more than 1,600 sites.
- Developing and delivering strategic category plans that drive commercial performance and market-leading cost prices.
- Monitoring livestock markets, commodity trends and supply chain dynamics to identify risks, opportunities and emerging market movements.
- Building robust risk mitigation strategies that ensure continuity of supply.
- Leading sourcing and tender projects from strategy through to implementation.
- Negotiating sustainable, commercially advantageous agreements that leverage Mitchells & Butlers' scale and buying power.
- Building strong partnerships with suppliers to drive innovation, performance and continuous improvement.
- Managing supplier performance against agreed specifications and service standards.
- Supporting the delivery of our sustainability and environmental commitments through supplier-led initiatives.
- Collaborating closely with Food Development teams to source and develop products that delight our guests across all brands.
- Building effective relationships with internal stakeholders and influencing key business decisions.
What we're looking for: We're looking for an experienced procurement professional who combines commercial expertise with deep category knowledge and a passion for delivering results. You’ll bring:
- Proven food procurement experience within hospitality, foodservice or retail.
- Strong expertise within the beef category, including supply chains, processors, specifications and sourcing practices.
- A sound understanding of beef market dynamics, livestock pricing, production standards, animal welfare and slaughter practices.
- Excellent negotiation and commercial influencing skills.
- Strong analytical capability and the ability to interpret market data, spend trends and supplier performance metrics.
- Confident stakeholder management skills, with the ability to challenge constructively and drive positive change.
- A proactive, self-motivated approach and the ability to work autonomously.
- CIPS qualification (or working towards it) would be advantageous, although equivalent experience will also be considered.
This is more than a procurement role. It's an opportunity to help shape the food offering behind some of Britain's most loved restaurant and pub brands while developing your career within one of the UK's largest hospitality businesses. We’re ready to combine your procurement expertise with the scale, variety and opportunities that only Mitchells & Butlers can offer, and we’d love to hear from you.
Please note: This is a mobile role requiring regular travel to the Midlands (typically around twice per week, although this may vary), as well as nationwide travel to suppliers as required.
At M&B we value the unique perspectives each person brings. We believe that by fostering a culture of inclusion, respect, and allyship, we create a sense of belonging, engagement and teamwork which are essential to delivering great guest experiences. Join us and be a part of a great team.
Food Procurement Manager – Beef Category employer: Mitchells & Butlers
Mitchells & Butler's is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and work-life balance. With a structured 35-hour week and no evening or weekend shifts, you can enjoy your personal time while developing your skills in a dynamic environment across various pubs and restaurants in the Wembley area. The company fosters strong relationships and provides opportunities for growth, making it a rewarding place to build your career in maintenance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Food Procurement Manager – Beef Category
✨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 Mitchells & Butlers.
✨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!
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 Mitchells & Butlers:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Mitchells & Butlers. 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 Mitchells & Butlers.
How to prepare for a job interview at Mitchells & Butlers
✨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 Mitchells & Butlers!
✨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 Mitchells & Butlers. 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 Mitchells & Butlers's culture.