Category Manager (Food)

Job Introduction

Love food? Got a passion for procurement? We’re looking for an ambitious and passionate Category Manager to join our Food Procurement team based in Stevenage. Looking after a spend of circa £15-25m you’ll be keen to make an impact on efficiency and bottom line spend whilst ensuring we meet our corporate and social responsibilities with an ethical sourcing strategy.

Responsible for category strategy you’ll be able to identify efficiencies and implement a high performing supply chain, you’ll deliver a quality service to the Sodexo segments and build strong relationships internally and externally. You’ll balance this strategic approach with the day to day tactical management of the category, often working with complex supply chains and requests from colleagues and co-workers. You’ll bring the ability to juggle multiple priorities and the mindset of rolling up your sleeves to get stuck in!

You’ll be joining a well-established team with heaps of experience who can’t wait to welcome the newest member of their team, working collaboratively whist still maintaining a level of autonomy will be key to your success in this position.

Role Responsibility

• To lead a sourcing strategy across the UK & I covering both technical and quality performance for the service lines.
• Design and implement category strategies which significantly improve the commercial performance at regional level whilst maintaining compliance to company policy and standards and mitigating all risk.
• Engage with global buying teams in active collaboration for developing categories globally
• Build a strong network within the Supply Management both at a regional and local level
• Work with key stakeholders within Supply Management teams in the UK (Deployment and Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) teams
• Be able to take into account the differences between the UK and ROI geographical requirements and business needs when developing the sourcing strategy
• Design and implement adequate strategies to achieve high performance meanwhile ensuring continuity and risk mitigation
• Ensure the relevant due diligence and buying process is adopted across all categories within remit.

The Ideal Candidate

• Previous experience in Buying or Category Management
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural and matrix environment
• Proven-track record in contract negotiation
• Strong presentation skills both verbally and written 
• Graduate calibre and working towards CIPS / ISM or equivalent qualification
• Team player with excellent communication and influencing skills
• Financial acumen and result orientated
• Fluency in English; French / Spanish would be advantageous
• Flexible for international travel where required  

Competencies

• Growth, client & customer satisfaction, quality of services provided
• Leadership and people management
• Rigorous management of results
• Innovation and Change
• Commercial Awareness

Package Description

An initial telephone interview will take place for this position between September 2^nd -20^th. Due to annual leave within our team, a formal face to face interview will then take place on September 26^th in our Stevenage office. Please try to ensure you can be available on this date.

About the Company

In the UK and Ireland, Sodexo employs some 35,000 employees to deliver integrated facilities management services to clients at over 2,000 locations in the corporate, healthcare, education, leisure, Defence and justice sectors. With an annual turnover of over £1bn, we provide everything from catering, cleaning and reception to security, laboratory and grounds maintenance services, enabling our clients to focus on their core business.

Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults within a regulated activity. Certain roles will require applicants to undergo screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and/ or Disclosure Scotland.

We are building on our support to the Armed Forces community through the development of specific pathways within our recruitment process to further engage ex-forces personnel and reservists.  Those applying for roles with us who meet the essential criteria advertised under the ‘ideal candidate’ on the vacancy advertised are guaranteed to progress within the selection process.

Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults within a regulated activity. Certain roles will require applicants to undergo screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and/ or Disclosure Scotland.