Category Buying Manager

1 month ago

London, United Kingdom McCarthy Recruitment Full time

Job Title: Category Buying Manager (Non-Food & Projects).

Location: Covent Garden, London


We are looking for a Category Buying Manager (Non-Food & Projects) to join our client at their our offices in Covent Garden, with a typical weekly working pattern of 3 office days and 2 days worked remotely (including visits to suppliers/stores).


A key focus of the Category Buying Manager is the day-to-day responsibility for a non-food spend of £10m+ across the UK businesses that will encompass stores and growing new channels. This will cover everything from cups and napkins to important services such as waste collection.


The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering the best possible product/service for the optimal cost aiming to mitigate annual inflation via category management and strong supplier negotiation.


The project side of the role include scope for significant £ value add across the UK and wider group arising from (but not limited to):


  • Tendering key contracts – within the existing sphere of procurement team influence and scope to expand across the wider head office functions.
  • Cross brand alignment and consolidation opportunities – reflecting the ongoing acquisitive nature of the business
  • Managing CSR agenda for team to ensure positive outcomes and delivering legislative change (e.g. recyclable cups/lids agenda)
  • Commodity lead in the team – to help build out simpler and more robust cost modelling and negotiation platforms


Key responsibilities for the Category Buying Manager role:


  • Developing clear category plans including tender dates and supplier strategies.
  • Negotiating optimum prices with suppliers and mitigating any annual inflation.
  • Demonstrating great communication skills to all levels of the business, from our stores to the CEO.
  • Engaging positively with stakeholders across the business that have previously not worked with procurement to unlock commercial value.
  • Knowing and understanding the relevant market and category performance, delivering meaningful updates by category to the business.
  • Owning end to end supplier performance to ensure uninterrupted supply and service.
  • Liaising with Supply Chain, Food Development, Marketing, Finance and Operations Teams to ensure that products and services purchased are fit for purpose.
  • Liaising with suppliers to ensure that the business is responding / adhering to relevant legislative changes across the packaging category.
  • Exploring global supplier agreements across our international territories.
  • Providing procurement support to the additional 2 brands within the Group where required.


The right person:


Our client is a company with a very special culture and an open and friendly style of working. It operates at pace and is a high-energy, invigorating environment. It attracts people with warmth and a positive outlook who genuinely enjoy working with others.


Whichever country you’re in, they have a culture in which close-knit relationships and trust are at its heart. At this business, you truly feel part of a kind and caring family.


The Category Buying Manager will embrace and champion the Company culture. They will be curious and inquisitive, with an engaging personality, and an ability to connect with people across the business, whatever their job. On top of this they will have solid experience within Buying/Procurement, quickly establishing themselves within the team.


The successful candidate will have:


  • Strong and relevant experience gained from working in a procurement/buying role within the retail, hospitality, or food & beverage sectors.
  • Solid evidence of being an excellent negotiator, influencer, and deal maker, who can obtain value for the business, making the best use of budgets.
  • An analytical and methodical approach to problem solving, with great attention to detail.
  • Great communication skills, whether that’s presenting, or taking a flexible and adaptable approach with our stores, suppliers and colleagues.
  • Experience working with field/operations/store teams to deliver in-store activity.
  • Ability to run reports, analyse complex data and make category decisions to drive forward sales and margin.
  • A collaborative and supportive coaching style.
  • Ability to manage time and priorities.
  • Be proactive, take the initiative and have a growth mindset.


We’ve got some great benefits too:


  • A wonderful place to work With 3 out of 5 days based in Head Office, right in the middle of bustling Covent Garden.
  • Access to our benefits platform, giving discounts at the touch of a button.
  • 25 days holiday per annum (plus bank holidays), rising with service.
  • 50% employee discount on handcrafted drinks and 40% employee discount on food.
  • Private medical care through Vitality
  • Medicash (cashplan healthcare scheme)
  • Life Assurance
  • Supporting team members to achieve their professional goals is important to them, so alongside your day to day work you may have an opportunity to complete a professional qualification with our learning partners
  • Free hand-crafted drinks whilst you’re in the office – in your first week you’ll have Barista training, so you’ll know how to make the very best coffee


About us:


This role is handled by McCarthy Recruitment, an award-winning multi-sector recruiter. We are committed to unlocking your full potential and finding your perfect role.

Start your journey today. Apply now or find us online:


  • Web: McCarthy Recruitment
  • LinkedIn: McCarthy Recruitment
  • Facebook: McCarthyRecruitment
  • Instagram: McCarthyrecruitment


The Legal Bit: We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. By applying for this role, you are explicitly consenting for McCarthy Recruitment to hold and process your data in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulations. And your details will be added to our holding database. We process certain personal information about you for our legitimate business interests to identify and contact suitable candidates about positions that may be relevant to them. Details are set out in our privacy policy at privacy. If you wish to exercise your right to access, erase or restrict the processing of your data please contact us at the office and we will respond to your query.

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