Junior Buyer

Foodbuy Group; Chertsey; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Foodbuy Group is seeking a Junior Category Buyer to support procurement in food services for the NHS. The ideal candidate is passionate about the hospitality sector, has analytical skills, and is looking to develop in a purpose-driven environment while making a positive impact through smarter procurement.

Benefits

Access to structured learning and development programmes

Clear career pathways

Supportive, high-performing team environment

Opportunity to make a positive impact on public sector services

Qualifications

• Passionate about food or hospitality sector.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office tools required.
• Analytical and comfortable working with data.

Responsibilities

• Support procurement processes including running tenders and e-auctions.
• Maintain accurate systems to support procurement governance.
• Contribute to category strategy and sourcing initiatives.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Attention to detail

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

Junior Category Buyer

Location: Flexible / Hybrid (UK-based)

Company: Foodbuy UK

Join Foodbuy UK, a leading food procurement organisation managing over £1 billion in annual spend across the foodservice and hospitality sectors. Since 2018, we've proudly supported over 150 NHS Trusts by delivering compliant, value-driven food procurement as part of the NHS Supply Chain: Food contract.

We’re now looking for a proactive and detail-oriented Junior Category Buyer to join our NHS-focused team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a passion for procurement, data, or the food and hospitality industry to develop in a purpose-driven environment. You'll play a vital role in supporting the end-to-end procurement process for key categories—helping to ensure accurate systems, effective stakeholder engagement, and robust sourcing in line with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

Key Responsibilities

• Support procurement processes across categories, including running tenders, DPS, and e-auctions through the Jaggaer eProcurement platform.
• Help maintain accurate systems, trackers, and documentation to support effective procurement governance.
• Assist with the creation of further competition documents and contribute to SOPs, guides, and templates.
• Support supplier management and stakeholder engagement across NHS Trusts and internal teams.
• Analyse data to support cost savings, category strategies, and procurement efficiency.
• Identify opportunities for improvement within procurement systems and processes.
• Contribute to category strategy and sourcing initiatives that drive value and innovation in public sector food procurement.
  
  
  

About You

• Passionate about the food or hospitality sector with an interest in public procurement.
• Some experience or knowledge of Microsoft Office tools (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) required.
• Prior experience in procurement or the public sector is desirable but not essential.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities; comfortable working with data and systems.
• Clear communicator with the ability to build relationships across teams and stakeholders.
• Well-organised, detail-oriented, and proactive in managing multiple tasks and priorities.
• Curious and eager to learn, with a mindset for continuous improvement and personal development.
  
  
  

Why Join Foodbuy?

• Work on projects that make a real difference—supporting the NHS through smarter food procurement.
• Access to structured learning and development programmes and clear career pathways.
• Join a supportive, high-performing team that values collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Grow your procurement skills while making a positive impact on public sector services