Category Manager - Directs

Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC); Old Woking; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fast-food company in the United Kingdom is seeking a Procurement Category Manager to develop and implement strategic sourcing strategies. This role involves collaboration with internal stakeholders and suppliers, leading supplier negotiations, and driving sustainability initiatives. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in strategic procurement, excellent negotiation skills, and a passion for delivering cost savings. This is a hybrid role offering competitive benefits and opportunities for growth within the organization.

Benefits

Hybrid working from Woking RSC

Up to 11% company pension contributions

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Bonus scheme

Private healthcare and mental health coaching

Study support and enhanced parental leave

25% off the chicken

Qualifications

• Strong experience in strategic procurement, category management, or supply chain.
• Proven experience in developing category strategies and managing end-to-end sourcing processes.
• Knowledge of ESG/sustainable procurement practices.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement procurement strategies for assigned categories aligned with organizational goals.
• Lead supplier negotiations, performance reviews, and relationship management initiatives.
• Drive sustainability initiatives within suppliers to reduce environmental impact.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Stakeholder engagement

Commercial acumen

Teamwork

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Education

Professional certifications (e.g., CIPS, CPSM, PMP)

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

The Procurement Category Manager is responsible for developing and implementing strategic sourcing strategies for specific procurement categories to deliver long-term value, cost savings, risk mitigation, and supplier performance. This role requires close collaboration with internal stakeholders and suppliers to ensure category strategies align with business objectives and market trends.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement procurement strategies for assigned categories aligned with organizational goals.
• Analyse market trends, supply/demand dynamics, and supplier landscapes.
• Identify, evaluate, and manage key suppliers to ensure quality, delivery, and cost objectives are met.
• Lead supplier negotiations, performance reviews, and relationship management initiatives.
• Lead RFx processes (RFI, RFP, RFQ) for sourcing initiatives.
• Negotiate and manage contracts, ensuring commercial terms, SLAs, and KPIs are aligned with company requirements.
• Act as the procurement lead and subject matter expert for assigned categories.
• Collaborate with business units, legal, finance, and technical teams to define procurement requirements and ensure alignment.
• Deliver cost savings and value creation through strategic sourcing, demand management, and supplier innovation.
• Track and report savings and procurement performance metrics.
• Drive sustainability initiatives within suppliers to reduce environmental impact and support the brand's commitment to Good Growth.
• Identify and mitigate category‑specific risks including supply chain disruptions and non‑compliance.
• Ensure adherence to procurement policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in strategic procurement, category management, or supply chain.
• Proven experience in developing category strategies and managing end‑to‑end sourcing processes.
• Strong negotiation, contract management, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Commercial and financial acumen.
• Experience in multinational or matrix organizations.
• Knowledge of ESG/sustainable procurement practices.
• Professional certifications (e.g., CIPS, CPSM, PMP) and demonstrable experience in senior supply chain roles, ideally within the food industry or related field.
• Strong skills in Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Quick to learn and apply new knowledge.
• Values action over activity.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Effective team worker.
• Strong drive for results and ambition to grow and develop within the organization.

Benefits

• Hybrid working from our Woking RSC (just 24 mins from London).
• Up to 11% company pension contributions.
• Fri‑Yay finishes at 1pm every Friday.
• 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays).
• 5 Live Well Days a year.
• Bonus scheme linked to company & personal performance.
• Private healthcare, Digital GP access & mental health coaching.
• Enhanced parental leave and flexible return options.
• Study support, income protection, life cover & more.
• 25% off the chicken.