Food Category Manager

Independents by Sodexo; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sodexo benefits package

Flexible working

Job summary

Sodexo is seeking an experienced Category Manager to lead category strategies across the UK & Ireland, driving savings, supplier performance, and sustainable value. You will work with global procurement teams and key stakeholders to optimise regional terms and deliver value while balancing local market needs.

The role requires 3–5 years in category/procurement, strong negotiation skills, and a background in a multinational environment.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years’ experience in Category Management, Procurement, or Strategic Buying.
• Proven experience negotiating contracts and managing supplier relationships.
• Strong commercial awareness and financial acumen.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, influencing, and communication skills.
• Experience working in a matrix or multinational organisation.
• Degree educated and working towards CIPS, ISM, or equivalent qualification.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category sourcing strategies across the UK & Ireland.
• Deliver cost savings, commercial value, and improved supplier performance.
• Negotiate regional agreements and secure the best commercial terms.
• Manage supplier relationships and identify opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement.
• Lead a pipeline of category projects and initiatives, ensuring delivery to objectives and timelines.
• Collaborate with global procurement teams to align local and global category strategies.
• Drive responsible sourcing and sustainability initiatives across categories.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, governance, and due diligence processes.
• Balance business and market requirements across the UK and ROI.
• Build strong stakeholder relationships to influence decisions and maximise value.

Skills

Category Management

Procurement

Strategic Buying

Stakeholder Engagement

Education

Degree educated

CIPS/ISM in progress

Tools

None

Job description

Category Manager

Location: Hybrid/Remote
Salary: Competitive
Contract: Permanent, Full Time

About the Role

We're looking for an experienced Category Manager to lead the development and delivery of category strategies across the UK & Ireland. You'll be responsible for driving commercial performance, delivering sustainable value, managing supplier relationships, and implementing sourcing strategies that support both regional and global business objectives.

Working closely with stakeholders across Supply Management, Finance, Supplier Relationship Management, and global procurement teams, you'll identify opportunities to drive savings, improve profitability, mitigate risk, and enhance supplier performance.

What You'll Do

• Develop and implement category sourcing strategies across the UK & Ireland.
• Deliver cost savings, commercial value, and improved supplier performance.
• Negotiate regional agreements and secure the best commercial terms.
• Manage supplier relationships and identify opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement.
• Lead a pipeline of category projects and initiatives, ensuring delivery against agreed objectives and timelines.
• Collaborate with global procurement teams to align local and global category strategies.
• Drive responsible sourcing and sustainability initiatives across your categories.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, governance requirements, and due diligence processes.
• Balance the differing business and market requirements across the UK and Republic of Ireland.
• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders to influence decision-making and maximise value.

What We're Looking For

• 3-5 years' experience in Category Management, Procurement, or Strategic Buying.
• Proven experience negotiating contracts and managing supplier relationships.
• Strong commercial awareness and financial acumen.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, influencing, and communication skills.
• Experience working within a matrix or multinational organisation.
• Degree educated and working towards CIPS, ISM, or equivalent qualification.

Desirable

• Food & Beverage procurement and category management experience.
• Knowledge of food supply chains, supplier markets, product specifications, and food safety standards.
• Experience across categories including grocery, dairy, fresh and frozen food, meat and poultry, bakery, soft drinks, and hot beverages.

Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater.

You’ll belong in a company and team that values you for you; you’ll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and you’ll be able to thrive in your own way.

In addition, we offer 20+ Sodexo benefits such as Sodexo retirement plan, discounts to over 1,900 brands to shop online, Gym discount to maintain a healthy lifestyle, a confidential 24/7 employee assistance programme providing independent support to overcome whenever life has its obstacles including emotional support, legal and financial advice.

For further details regarding our Sodexo benefits please see attached.

About The Company

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services.

We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities, and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be natural, and be the best versions of themselves. We recognise that we’re on a journey with regards to diversity and inclusion and would therefore welcome applications for candidates from underrepresented backgrounds.

We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations. We run a Disability Confident interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria for the job.