Head of Food Procurement (UK and Ireland)

Job Introduction

We’re looking for an exception procurement professional to join us as Head of Food Procurement, managing a team of six Category Managers and responsible for overseeing the category management across total food service with an annual spend of £200 million. Engaging with the key stakeholders across the business to drive efficiency and commercial competitiveness for the UK & Ireland and all current and future acquisitions.

This is a senior appointment and you will manage alignment with global & acquisition supply management buying teams so current senior level food buying experience is essential for this role along with previous team leading experience and excellent stakeholder skills.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a motivated, tenacious individual eager to progress and develop their career within a global business. We can truly offer a supportive environment for you to grow and develop.

Role Responsibility

Category Management

• Oversee the assigned categories under the scope of responsibility.
• Establish close relationship with the Supply relationship, Deployment, VM & Commac teams 
• Ensure a good alignment and on boarding of the key stakeholders within the Food platforms & Segment culinary teams

Generate savings and increase revenues & achieve acquisition annual targets

• Drive Innovation & support Growth strategy
• Work with acquisition teams to remove duplication and drive efficiencies across the overall supply chain

Improve profitability by optimizing agreements and alignment with global contracts 

• Negotiate regional agreements and secure best net prices
• Generate savings and improve commercial terms
• Achieve acquisition targets
• Implement and monitor of KPI’s to measure progress

Set up, initiate and maintain professional relationships with the regional supplier network in order to:

• Reinforce the image and the credibility of Sodexo
• Identify the technological developments and innovations from the supplier base

Lead a group of Category Managers 

• Manage a team of 6-7 professionals
• Lead and develop the team through the right training and career steps
• Ensure the relevant succession planning is in place
• Working with Supply Management Finance & Commac to ensure robust reporting and measurement of commercial performance

The Ideal Candidate

Essential:

• Strong senior level experience in Buying / Category Management
• Proven-track record of managing & developing people
• Ability in working in a multi-cultural and matrix environment
• Proven-track records in complex contract negotiation
• Excellent external networking capabilities and presentation skills 
• Team player with excellent communication and influencing skills
• Financial acumen and result orientated with ability to present results in a structured and professional manner
• Strong project management skills
• Flexible for international travel where necessary

Desirable:

• Graduate calibre with CIPS qualification preferred
• Fluency in English; French / Spanish a plus

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.