Category Development Manager Job at 14forty (Chertsey)

Job Description

Category Manager - Protein. Location: Chertsey & London. Salary: Competitive. Foodbuy is the UK’s leading food procurement organisation, managing over £2.5bn of spend and supporting a diverse range of foodservice and hospitality clients. We combine scale, data and deep supplier partnerships to deliver outstanding value, innovation and sustainable sourcing solutions. As part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, we work directly with manufacturers, growers and suppliers of all sizes, delivering best-in-class procurement expertise across the UK & Ireland. We’re now looking for a Protein Category Manager to join our Food team, leading one of our most high-profile and commercially critical categories. This is a key strategic role where you’ll take ownership of the protein category (including meat, poultry, fish and seafood), shaping and delivering long-term category strategies that drive growth, value and innovation.

Job Responsibility

Develop and deliver a long-term category strategy across protein, driving improvements in cost, quality, service and innovation
Lead supplier relationships, identifying new partners and building strong, strategic collaborations
Deliver commercial targets, including inflation mitigation, value generation and volume growth
Lead negotiations and contract renewals, securing sustainable commercial terms
Build robust pricing and cost models across the supply base
Ensure compliance with food safety, sustainability and quality standards
Collaborate with chefs and culinary teams to support menu and product development
Work closely with sustainability teams to drive carbon reduction and animal welfare initiatives
Evaluate tenders and make recommendations based on commercial, technical and supply considerations
Monitor supplier performance and identify opportunities to enhance value
Support internal stakeholders including sales, bids and account teams
Represent Foodbuy at industry events and communicate market trends across the business

Requirements

Currently operating as a Category Manager or Senior Category Buyer, ready to step into a more strategic role
Strong commercial mindset, with experience delivering against stretching targets
Proven ability to negotiate and influence suppliers at a senior level
Highly analytical, confident working with data to inform decisions
Passionate about sustainability, responsible sourcing and animal welfare
Strong stakeholder engagement skills, able to build credibility across the business
Organised, resilient and comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment
Collaborative mindset with the ability to lead and inspire others

What we offer

Opportunity to own and shape a high-impact, business-critical category
Work with leading suppliers and industry partners
Play a key role in delivering sustainability and responsible sourcing initiatives
Be part of a high-performing, collaborative procurement function
Excellent career development within a market-leading organisation

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