Procurement Category Manager

Our Client

Our client is a leading specialist food wholesaler and importer, supplying premium food products to many of the UK's best-known hospitality, retail and food manufacturing businesses. Working with an extensive international supplier network, they source innovative products from around the world and have built an outstanding reputation for quality, service and market expertise.

The Role

Reporting to the Head of Procurement, this role will take ownership of a portfolio of strategic food categories, working closely with an international supplier base to deliver the highest standards of quality, service and commercial performance. You'll play a key role in shaping category strategy, supporting new product launches and identifying opportunities to strengthen supplier relationships and improve commercial performance.

This is a highly collaborative role, working closely with Sales, Supply Chain and Technical teams, while also offering the opportunity to travel internationally to meet suppliers, develop partnerships and stay close to emerging market trends.

Responsibilities:

• Managing a portfolio of strategic food categories and developing category strategies
• Building long-term relationships with international suppliers through regular communication and global travel
• Leading commercial negotiations, including pricing, promotional support and supplier agreements
• Supporting new product launches and category development initiatives
• Monitoring global market trends to identify opportunities, manage risk and improve supply
• Driving continuous improvement across supplier performance, product quality and commercial outcomes
• Supporting procurement best practice and mentoring junior members of the team

Required Experience:

• Proven experience managing strategic supplier relationships within an international food suppliers.
• Strong commercial negotiation and category management experience
• Experience working with imported food products or global food supply chains would be advantageous
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Strong analytical skills with advanced Excel capability
• Comfortable travelling internationally to build supplier relationships and support category development
• A genuine passion for food, sourcing exceptional products and developing long-term supplier partnerships

We are committed to accessing a broad and diverse talent pool on behalf of our client. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences. If you need any adjustments during the process, please let us know so we can support you.