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Senior Global Category Buyer (Generalist)

Please Note: The application deadline for this job has now passed.

Job Introduction

 

Ready to go global… We’re looking for an ambitious Senior Category Manager to become part of our Global Supply Management team who are responsible for negotiating, governing and reviewing over 160 global contracts. This will be a challenging role, not for the faint hearted, with ambitious cost savings and efficiencies to be met whilst meeting social and corporate responsibilities as part of our ethical sourcing model.

You’ll be an experienced procurement professional with category expertise and able to handle yourself at a global level. As a skilled negotiator you’ll able to adapt your approach to accommodate different cultures and be highly influential to ensure buy in from Senior Segment leads and country procurements teams.

You’ll base yourself in our Stevenage office, be happy to work a day a week from home but also enjoy traveling the world as you’ll spend approximately 6-8 weeks per annum working across our regions which includes the USA, Europe, Asia and South America. Although you’ll be working independently in your individual category’s, you’ll work closely with the other Senior Global Category Managers and link into each other when it comes to supplier business reviews and regional relationships and you’ll be working towards the same strategic goals. You’ll each have the authority and autonomy in your category and operate on a truly global basis.

With the recent appointment of our new Global Chief Procurement Officer this is the time to join our Supply Management team which is transforming and gaining significant notability within Sodexo. You’ll be stretched and challenged in this role to ensure you perform at the highest levels but with this comes substantial opportunity to develop and further your career.

Role Responsibility

  • Design and implement category strategies which significantly improve the commercial performance at a group and regional level whilst maintaining compliance to company policy and standards and mitigating risk
  • Engage the different regions for active collaboration in the development of categories globally
  • Build a strong network within the Supply Management organisation in the regions
  • Lead cross functional project teams with joint accountability for technical and quality performance
  • Consider the differences between geographies and business needs in a diverse and international context and embed in category solutions developed

The Ideal Candidate

Whats essential:

  • Proven international experience in Buying / Category Management
  • Amazing stakeholder engagement skills, a team player who can communicate and influence across all business levels
  • Strong financial acumen and results orientated with a proven track record in global contract negotiation and delivering value to an organisation
  • Graduate caliber at 2:1 or above

Where we can be flexible:

  • Experience and knowledge in other Foodservice or FM categories
  • Currently or working towards CIPS/ISM or equivalent qualification

Package Description

We also offer Sodexo Discounts site promoting discounted mobile phone tariffs, savings across restaurant chains and days out, where you and your family can save money on everything from your weekly food shop to the latest cinema blockbuster and much more

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.

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