At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the strategy and performance of the Hot Beverages category, driving growth and supplier partnerships.
- Company: Join a leading food services organisation with a £1bn managed spend across the UK.
- Benefits: Up to £65,000 salary, 20% bonus, hybrid working, and extensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Great career progression in a market-leading organisation.
- Why this job: Shape the future of hot beverages in a dynamic, high-impact role.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying or procurement, especially in tea or coffee categories.
The predicted salary is between 39000 - 52000 £ per year.
Location: London (2–3 days per week in the office, remainder remote)
Salary: Up to £65,000 + 20% bonus + excellent benefits
We’re partnering with a leading food services organisation with over £1bn in managed spend across the UK. Supporting a broad portfolio of foodservice and hospitality clients, the business delivers expert procurement solutions that drive value, efficiency and commercial growth.
As part of continued growth, they are now looking for a Category Manager - Hot Beverages to take ownership of a high-profile category worth c. £30m in annual spend. This is a strategic, commercially focused role reporting into the Head of Category - Retail, with exposure to senior stakeholders and significant influence across the wider retail spend of c. £300m.
The Opportunity
This role offers full accountability for the strategic direction, commercial performance and supplier partnerships across the Hot Beverages category (tea, coffee and associated products). You’ll lead category strategy, supplier performance, income growth planning and team development, while ensuring best-in-class procurement delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- Own and deliver the 3-year category strategy and income growth plan
- Manage day-to-day supplier and contract performance, including quarterly business reviews
- Maximise commercial value through strategic sourcing, rebate optimisation and margin delivery
- Drive compliance across approved product lists and supply chain frameworks
- Lead implementation of sourcing initiatives and ensure seamless distributor service levels
- Use market intelligence and data insights to create competitive advantage
- Provide leadership and development to a Category Buyer
- Influence stakeholders across the UK & Ireland to capture and deliver business requirements
What We’re Looking For
We’re keen to speak with buying or procurement professionals with tea or coffee category experience who bring:
- Proven commercial acumen and world-class negotiation skills
- Strong track record of delivering category growth and margin improvement
- Experience building and managing strategic supplier relationships
- Advanced analytical capability – able to interpret complex data and translate into actionable strategy
- Strong project management skills with the ability to prioritise multiple initiatives
- Confident leadership style with experience developing and holding team members accountable
What’s on Offer
- Salary up to £65,000 depending on experience
- 20% performance-related bonus
- Hybrid working (2–3 days London office)
- Competitive pension contribution
- Access to exclusive employee discounts and perks platform
- Extensive training and development programmes
- Clear progression opportunities within a market-leading organisation
If you’re a commercially driven Category Manager with a passion for hot beverages and a desire to shape strategy within a large-scale food services environment, we’d love to hear from you.
Category Manager - Beverages in Leeds employer: Talent Drive | B Corp
Join a leading food services organisation in London that values innovation and growth, offering a dynamic work culture where your contributions directly impact a £30m category. With a competitive salary of up to £65,000, a 20% performance-related bonus, and extensive training programmes, this role not only provides excellent benefits but also clear pathways for career progression. Embrace the opportunity to work in a hybrid environment, balancing office collaboration with remote flexibility, all while being part of a team that champions strategic excellence and supplier partnerships.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager - Beverages in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend relevant events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its competitors. We want to show that you’re not just interested in the role, but that you understand the market landscape, especially in the hot beverages category.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Category Manager, you’ll need to demonstrate your commercial acumen. We suggest role-playing with a friend to get comfortable discussing strategies and supplier relationships.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager - Beverages in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Category Manager - Hot Beverages. Highlight your experience in procurement and any specific achievements in the tea or coffee category. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about hot beverages and how your skills align with our needs. Keep it engaging and personal – we love a bit of personality!
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on quantifiable achievements. Did you drive significant category growth or improve supplier relationships? We want to know how you've made an impact in your previous roles!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Talent Drive | B Corp
✨Know Your Beverages
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of hot beverages, especially tea and coffee. Understand the market trends, key suppliers, and what makes a successful category strategy in this space. This will show your passion and expertise during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully negotiated with suppliers in the past. Highlight your commercial acumen and any strategies you've used to improve margins or drive category growth. Real-life examples will make your claims more credible.
✨Data is Your Friend
Be ready to talk about how you've used data insights to inform your decisions. Whether it's interpreting complex data or using market intelligence, demonstrate your analytical capabilities and how they’ve led to actionable strategies in previous roles.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you've influenced stakeholders in your past roles. Prepare to share stories that illustrate your leadership style and how you've managed relationships across different teams. This will be crucial for a role that requires collaboration across the UK & Ireland.
