Category Manager – Food

JR United Kingdom; Luton; Remote; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK household brand is seeking a Category Manager for a 12-month contract to drive procurement strategies within food. This role offers significant career growth by engaging with a diverse range of suppliers and focuses on delivering substantial cost savings. Ideal candidates will possess strong commercial acumen and have a proven track record in Category Management, fostering relationships with stakeholders and leading strategic sourcing initiatives.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in strategic sourcing or category management.
• End-to-end procurement experience within Food.
• Strong negotiation skills and excellent communication.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement procurement strategies for food.
• Nurture relationships with suppliers to deliver cost savings.
• Mentor buyers and assess commodity risk.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Influence senior stakeholders

Job description

Category Manager – Food (12 month contract) – Household brand | Package £70,000 + package - remote with travel

Due to consistent growth and expansion, a unique direct procurement opportunity has emerged to join one of the largest UK household brands. They seek a Category Manager to develop and execute procurement strategies, taking responsibility for a diverse range of strategic sourcing Food projects and tenders to deliver value, cost savings, mitigate supply chain risk, and ensure delivery for all clients.

This Category Manager role offers career growth and professional development opportunities by providing access to an extensive network of globally recognized Food suppliers and a dynamic, collaborative working environment.

If you are an ambitious and experienced Category Manager with tangible experience in procuring Food, joining this world-class and multi-award-winning procurement team could be an exciting next step in your career.

Category Manager Food Responsibilities:

• Develop and nurture relationships with internal and external stakeholders, as well as key suppliers, to collaborate and deliver cost savings on food & beverage-related spend.
• Create category and sourcing strategies and identify market opportunities to ensure the company's operations remain market leading.
• Develop and implement strategies ahead of upcoming projects, contract expiries, and market changes that could affect the business.
• Mentor and monitor buyers to ensure sourcing strategies and tender outcomes maximize commercial success and value.
• Assess and mitigate commodity risk, monitor market trends, and devise strategies with the supply base to reduce issues moving forward.
• Adhere to sustainable sourcing practices and ensure contract and framework compliance.

Required Experience:

• Strong commercial acumen and end-to-end procurement experience within Food.
• Proven experience in strategic sourcing or category management.
• Strong negotiation skills, excellent communication skills, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders and suppliers.
• Ability to achieve cost savings in volatile and changing market conditions.
• Procurement experience at a strategic level.

If you are interested in gaining greater category responsibility or exposure to a broad, lucrative, and fast-moving product range within an iconic firm, please submit your CV to – [emailprotected]