Category Manager

The Procurement Manager is responsible for leading procurement activities across the Pan European Region for all 3 core brands (KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell), ensuring value delivery, supplier performance, and risk mitigation. This role blends strategic thinking with operational execution, requiring strong stakeholder engagement and data‑driven decision making. What you’ll do General Supplier Management Maintain and optimise supplier relationships Monitor supplier performance and conduct reviews against KPIs and SLAs. Ensure compliance with procurement policies and procedures. Key Strategic Projects & Tenders Drive and create the overall strategy for the category Lead or support strategic sourcing initiatives and transformation programmes. Lead and play a critical role in managing the tendering process to ensure transparency, competitiveness, and value for money. Collaborate with cross‑functional teams and stakeholders on cost‑saving, sustainability and innovative projects. Drive procurement input into new product development or service launches. Partner with Global procurement teams, influencing global category plans and decisions. Driving Value Through Data‑Driven Insight Analyse spend data to identify cost reduction opportunities. Develop dashboards and reports to track procurement performance. Use market intelligence and benchmarking to inform sourcing strategies. Managing Supplier Risk Assess and mitigate supplier risks including financial, operational, and geopolitical. Maintain supplier risk contingency plans where applicable. Work with legal and compliance teams to ensure regulatory adherence. Contract Management & Governance Negotiate, draft, and manage supplier contracts, in partnership with legal. Ensure contract lifecycle management and renewal tracking. Stakeholder Management & Relationship Building Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders across departments. Act as a trusted advisor to business units on procurement matters. Facilitate supplier engagement workshops, QBR’s and feedback sessions. Maintain and ensure strong relationships are upheld between procurement and the supplier base. External Relationship Building Represent the company in supplier forums and industry events. Develop strategic partnerships with key suppliers. Stay abreast of market trends and innovations. Qualifications Experience in a food service/FMCG or retail environment preferred Track record of consistent execution and delivery Proven experience in procurement or supply chain management Strong negotiation and contract management skills Proven experience of working collaboratively in a complex stakeholder environment Stakeholder engagement skills, capable of influencing at all levels Proven experience of outside the box thinking and comfort in challenging the status quo Proven experience in understanding contract KPIs and successfully driving supplier performance Strong experience in an Analyst, Buyer, Supply chain or equivalent role preferably in retail, food service, FMCG; strong skills in Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook Quick to learn and apply new knowledge Values action over activity Good verbal and written communication skills Effective team worker Strong drive for results and ambitious to grow and develop within the organization We sell the world's best chicken. Seriously. And we've done it since 1939, when the idea of crispy, original recipe chicken took Kentucky by storm. Now, we're proud to serve 1000+ communities across the UK and Ireland, bringing the grit, pride and iconic reputation that we started with, all those years ago. Across the Restaurant Support Centre (RSC), we come to work to be ourselves, and to make something of ourselves. We want to see our potential go that little bit further, as part of one of the world's most iconic brands. What's the gig? Well, you support our restaurants – and we'll support you every step of the way. Simple. Our doors are open – and they can take you anywhere. All we ask is that you be you. Because that makes us, us. Sound good? Great. Let's find out about that job. Benefits Hybrid working from our Woking RSC (just 24 mins from London) Up to 11% company pension contributions Fri‑Yay finishes at 1pm every Friday 25 days' holiday (plus bank holidays) 5 Live Well Days a year, just for you Bonus scheme linked to company & personal performance Private healthcare, Digital GP access & mental health coaching Enhanced parental leave and flexible return options Study support, income protection, life cover & more 25% off the chicken – because real ones deserve real rewards #J-18808-Ljbffr