Category Lead

Compass Group; Chester, Chertsey, Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food service provider is seeking an experienced Category Lead for NHS Supply Chain. This senior role involves defining and delivering category strategy, leading procurement activities, and driving continuous improvement across a complex supplier base worth approximately £80m. The candidate will need strong supplier management abilities, experience in public sector procurement, and a proven track record in team leadership. This position offers the opportunity to influence strategy within a market-leading organization and work closely with NHS stakeholders.

Benefits

Opportunity to deliver value to NHS

Influence at a senior level

Join a market-leading organization

Qualifications

• Experience managing complex supplier, distributor and client relationships.
• Ideally experience within public sector procurement and associated legislation.
• Proven track record of leading high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of buyers to deliver year-on-year savings.
• Define and execute category strategies aligned to objectives.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships across teams.

Skills

Supplier relationship management

Commercial acumen

Analytical capability

Change management

Leadership

Job description

Category Lead

NHS Supply Chain | Foodbuy (Compass Group)

Location: Chertsey / Daresbury / Wakefield
Grade: D
Reports to: Head of Procurement - NHS

The Opportunity

We're looking for an experienced and commercially driven Category Lead - NHS to join NHS Supply Chain: Food, part of Foodbuy and Compass Group. This is a senior role with responsibility for defining and delivering category strategy, leading procurement activity and driving continuous improvement across a complex, high-value supply base.

Working closely with the Head of Procurement - NHS, you will shape and deliver the overarching procurement strategy and KPIs for NHS trusts, directing sourcing, supplier management and contract strategies across multiple frameworks and agreements.

You'll lead a high-performing team of buyers and oversee approximately £80m of spend, covering a broad food portfolio including ready meals (DRPM), fresh produce, meat & poultry, dairy, food-to-go and vending.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of buyers to deliver year-on-year savings, savings retention and category growth
• Define and execute category strategies aligned to NHS Supply Chain objectives and trust requirements
• Act as process steward to capture business requirements and drive compliance to NHS Supply Chain frameworks
• Ensure effective implementation of agreed ranges, services and supply chains following sourcing events
• Develop and lead best-in-class supplier and contract management strategies, maximising commercial value and market share
• Own supplier relationship strategies, including governance, performance management and quarterly business reviews
• Build strong, collaborative relationships across account management, operations, finance and project teams
• Develop compelling category propositions that support account teams in driving trust compliance
• Deliver client KPIs, build credibility with NHS stakeholders and promote Foodbuy's value as a Category Tower Service Provider
• Analyse and resolve complex commercial and operational issues to protect and grow trust spend
• Energise, inspire and develop your team with pace, passion and resilience

About You

You'll be a strategic, confident leader with strong commercial acumen and a proven ability to deliver results in complex environments.

Skills & Experience

• Experience managing complex supplier, distributor and client relationships
• Ideally experience within public sector procurement and associated legislation
• Proven track record of leading high-performing commercial or procurement teams
• Strong decision-maker, comfortable operating under pressure
• Excellent analytical capability with the ability to interpret data and drive insight-led decisions
• A collaborative, influential leader with a strong can-do mindset

Commercial & Leadership Strengths

• A skilled negotiator with a focus on category development and market advantage
• Accountable for team performance, outputs and commercial results
• Confident managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
• Experienced in change management, with the ability to lead teams through transformation
• High personal and professional integrity, with a commitment to ethical standards

Why Join Us?

• Play a key role in delivering value and innovation to the NHS
• Lead a significant, high-profile food category portfolio
• Influence strategy at a senior level within a market-leading organisation
• Be part of Foodbuy and Compass Group—combining scale, purpose and opportunity