Director, Direct Category Procurement & Growth

YUM; Woking; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Yum! UK & I Europe leads the Direct category, shaping multi-year strategies for food, packaging and key menu inputs across KFC and Taco Bell. You will drive value through supplier partnerships, governance, and long-term pricing while aligning with FSQA, innovation, and operations teams.

The role requires 10+ years in procurement and proven ability to influence senior stakeholders across brands, markets and suppliers to deliver growth and resilience.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in procurement, supply chain or category leadership in QSR/foodservice or FMCG.
• Experience leading direct food, packaging or ingredient categories at regional or enterprise scale.
• Strong knowledge of supplier relationship management, strategic sourcing, cost modelling and negotiation.

Responsibilities

• Set the 5-year Direct procurement strategy and translate into category roadmaps.
• Lead and coach a high-performing team of category leads.
• Collaborate across Marketing, FSQA, Operations, Finance and franchisees to serve restaurant needs.
• Unlock innovation and speed to market via supplier events and executive forums.
• Own strategic supplier relationships, governance and long-term pricing across key categories.
• Embed food safety, sustainability, and continuity guardrails in category strategies.

Skills

Strategic category leadership

Supplier relationship management

Negotiation & value creation

Cross-functional collaboration

Data-driven decision making

Food safety & quality

Tools

ERP systems

Excel

Job description

Yum! UK & I Europe leads the Direct category, shaping multi-year strategies for food, packaging and key menu inputs across KFC and Taco Bell. You will drive value through supplier partnerships, governance, and long-term pricing while aligning with FSQA, innovation, and operations teams.

The role requires 10+ years in procurement and proven ability to influence senior stakeholders across brands, markets and suppliers to deliver growth and resilience.