Category Lead

1 day ago

Chertsey, Surrey, United Kingdom Foodbuy Group Full time

NHS Supply Chain | Foodbuy (Compass Group)
Location:
Chertsey / Daresbury / Wakefield

Grade:
D

Reports to:
Head of Procurement – NHS

The Opportunity

We're looking for an experienced and commercially driven
Category Lead – NHS
to join
NHS Supply Chain: Food
, part of Foodbuy and Compass Group. This is a senior role with responsibility for defining and delivering category strategy, leading procurement activity and driving continuous improvement across a complex, high-value supply base.

Working closely with the Head of Procurement – NHS, you will shape and deliver the overarching procurement strategy and KPIs for NHS trusts, directing sourcing, supplier management and contract strategies across multiple frameworks and agreements.

You'll lead a high-performing team of buyers and oversee approximately
£80m of spend
, covering a broad food portfolio including
ready meals (DRPM), fresh produce, meat & poultry, dairy, food-to-go and vending
.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead and develop a team of buyers to deliver year-on-year savings, savings retention and category growth
  • Define and execute category strategies aligned to NHS Supply Chain objectives and trust requirements
  • Act as process steward to capture business requirements and drive compliance to NHS Supply Chain frameworks
  • Ensure effective implementation of agreed ranges, services and supply chains following sourcing events
  • Develop and lead best-in-class supplier and contract management strategies, maximising commercial value and market share
  • Own supplier relationship strategies, including governance, performance management and quarterly business reviews
  • Build strong, collaborative relationships across account management, operations, finance and project teams
  • Develop compelling category propositions that support account teams in driving trust compliance
  • Deliver client KPIs, build credibility with NHS stakeholders and promote Foodbuy's value as a Category Tower Service Provider
  • Analyse and resolve complex commercial and operational issues to protect and grow trust spend
  • Energise, inspire and develop your team with pace, passion and resilience

About You

You'll be a strategic, confident leader with strong commercial acumen and a proven ability to deliver results in complex environments.

Skills & Experience

  • Experience managing complex supplier, distributor and client relationships
  • Ideally experience within public sector procurement and associated legislation
  • Proven track record of leading high-performing commercial or procurement teams
  • Strong decision-maker, comfortable operating under pressure
  • Excellent analytical capability with the ability to interpret data and drive insight-led decisions
  • A collaborative, influential leader with a strong "can-do" mindset

Commercial & Leadership Strengths

  • A skilled negotiator with a focus on category development and market advantage
  • Accountable for team performance, outputs and commercial results
  • Confident managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
  • Experienced in change management, with the ability to lead teams through transformation
  • High personal and professional integrity, with a commitment to ethical standards

Why Join Us?

  • Play a key role in delivering value and innovation to the NHS
  • Lead a significant, high-profile food category portfolio
  • Influence strategy at a senior level within a market-leading organisation
  • Be part of Foodbuy and Compass Group—combining scale, purpose and opportunity
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