Category Buyer - Directs

RSC; Woking; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading restaurant support center in the United Kingdom is seeking a Category Buyer. This role involves managing procurement activities for goods and services, fostering supplier relationships, and ensuring compliance with internal policies. The successful candidate will utilize their strong negotiation and analytical skills in a dynamic environment. Enjoy a hybrid working model from Woking, competitive benefits, and growth opportunities within a well-established organization.

Benefits

Hybrid working from Woking

Up to 11% company pension contributions

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Private healthcare

25% off the chicken

Qualifications

• Experience in a procurement, sourcing, or buying role.
• Professional certifications (CIPS, CPSM, etc.) are desirable but not required.
• Strong skills in Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Responsibilities

• Run procurement processes related to sourcing initiatives.
• Support contract development and management activities.
• Monitor supplier performance and resolve supply-related issues.

Skills

Strong negotiation and communication skills

Analytical and problem-solving abilities

Attention to detail

Familiarity with procurement and ERP systems

Commercial awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Procurement

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Coupa

Job description

WelcometoKFC.Homeoftherealones.

Weselltheworld’sbestchicken.Seriously.Andwe’vedoneitsince1939,whentheideaofcrispy,originalrecipechickentookKentuckybystorm.Now,we’reproudtoserve1000+communitiesacrosstheUKandIreland,bringingthegrit,prideandiconicreputationthatwestartedwith,allthoseyearsago.

AcrosstheRestaurantSupportCentre(RSC),wecometoworktobeourselves,andtomakesomethingofourselves.Wewanttoseeourpotentialgothatlittlebitfurther,aspartofoneoftheworld’smosticonicbrands.

What’sthegig?Well,yousupportourrestaurants—andwe’llsupportyoueverystepoftheway.Simple.Ourdoorsareopen—andtheycantakeyouanywhere.

Allweaskisthatyoubeyou.Becausethatmakesus,us.Soundgood?Great.Let’sfindoutaboutthatjob.

The Team

We’retheenginebehindthebucket-makingsureeveryrestauranthaswhatitneeds,whenitneedsit.Fromsourcingingredientstodeliveringpackaging,furniture,andevenmarketing,ourSupplyChain&Procurementteamownsthejourneyfromfarmtofingers.Wethinkbig,challengethestatusquo,andcollaborateacrossthebusinesstokeepKFCrunningsmoothlyandgrowingstrong.

About the role

TheCategoryBuyerisresponsibleforthepurchasingofgoodsandservicesnecessaryfortoachievethecategoryandwiderbusinessobjectives.Thisroleensuresthatprocurementactivitiesarecost-effective,timely,andcompliantwithinternalpoliciesandexternalregulations.TheBuyerdevelopsandmaintainssupplierrelationships,negotiatesterms,andcollaborateswithinternalstakeholderstomeetbusinessneeds

Whatyou’lldo :

Sourcing & Contracting

• RunProcurementprocessesRFxprocesses(RFI,RFP,RFQ)forsourcinginitiatives.
• Supportcontractdevelopmentandmanagementactivities,includingrenewals
• Assistinthedevelopmentandexecutionofprocurementstrategiesandcost-savinginitiativesandamendments.

SupplyChainPerformance

• Contributetoprocurementreportingandanalysis,includingspendanalysis,costtrends,andsavingstracking
• DevelopandmaintainaKPIscorecardsystemtotracktheperformanceforprojectsandstrategies

StakeholderEngagement

• Facilitateregularcommunicationbetweensuppliersandinternalteamstoensureexpectationsareclearanddeliverymilestonesaremet
• Supportcross-functionalteamsinsupplierselection,contractnegotiation,andperformanceevaluation
• Provideguidanceandsupporttostakeholdersregardingprocurementprocesses,sourcingoptions,andpolicycompliance
• Participateinprojectmeetings,businessreviews,andsupplierauditsalongsidekeyinternalstakeholders

Risk & Compliance Management

• Monitorsupplierperformanceandresolvesupply-relatedissuestoensurecontinuityofsupply
• Supportidentificationandmitigationofcategory-specificrisksincludingsupplychaindisruptionsandnon-compliance
• Trackadherencetoprocurementpolicies,procedures,andregulatoryrequirements

Experience

• Strongnegotiationandcommunicationskills
• Commercialawarenessandcost-consciousmindset
• Analyticalandproblem-solvingabilities
• Attentiontodetailandorganizationalskills
• FamiliaritywithprocurementandERPsystems(e.g.,SAP,Oracle,Coupa)
• Abilitytomanagemultipleprioritiesinafast-pacedenvironment
• Knowledgeofrelevantlawsandregulations(e.g.,import / export,ethicalsourcing)

ABOUT YOU

• Bachelor’sdegreeinSupplyChainManagement,Business,Procurement,orarelatedfield
• Experienceinaprocurement,sourcing,orbuyingrole
• Professionalcertifications(CIPS,CPSM,etc.)aredesirablebutnotrequired
• StrongskillsinExcel,PowerPointandOutlook
• Quicktolearnandapplynewknowledge
• Valuesactionoveractivity
• Goodverbalandwrittencommunicationskills
• Effectiveteamworker
• Strongdriveforresultsandambitioustogrowanddevelopwithintheorganization

What’s init for you :

Weofferbenefitsthatmakeyourlifethatlittlebiteasier—becauseweknowthejuggleisreal.

Fromflexible,hybridworkingtoFri-YayearlyfinishesandLiveWellDays,we’vecreatedapackagethatsupportstherealyou,inandoutofwork.

You’ll get :

• ?HybridworkingfromourWokingRSC(just24minsfromLondon)
• ?Upto11%companypensioncontributions
• ?Fri-Yayfinishesat1pmeveryFriday
• ?25days’holiday(plusbankhols)
• ?5LiveWellDaysayear,justforyou
• ?Bonusschemelinkedtocompany&personalperformance
• ?Privatehealthcare,DigitalGPaccess&mentalhealthcoaching
• ?Enhancedparentalleaveandflexiblereturnoptions
• ?Studysupport,incomeprotection,lifecover&more
• ?Andyes—25%offthechicken

Becauserealonesdeserverealrewards.

The Road to becoming a real one...

• Apply(Goon...doit)–sendusyourCVandansweracoupleofappquestions.
• IntrocallwithourTalentTeam
• VirtualcallwithHiringManager+anexceltask.
• Virtualcallwithastakeholder.

Ready?

Wehopeso,ifyou’rereadytobepartofourcommunity,now’sthetimetoapply.

Beware of fake job postings using Yum! and / or our brand logos KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Habit Burger & Grill on fraudulent sites. Yum! Brands only posts jobs on official careers pages and never asks for money during onboarding. Avoid unsolicited contacts via Telegram, WhatsApp or similar social apps.