Senior Category Manager (Food)

Job Introduction

We are currently recruiting a Senior Category Manager with Food buying experience to join our supply management team based in Stevenage. You will manage a team of between 2 – 4 Category Managers so you must have previous team leading experience. You will work with the key stakeholders across the business to  drive efficiency and commercial competitiveness for the UK & I.

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

Role Responsibility

Category Management

• Manage autonomously the assigned categories under the scope of responsibility.
• Establish close relationship with the Supply relationship management and Deployment teams 
• Ensure a good alignment and on boarding of the key stakeholders within the Food platform
• Improve profitability by optimizing agreements and alignment with global contracts 
• Negotiate regional agreements and secure best net prices, through a best practice procurement process
• Generate savings and improve commercial terms across all spend 
• 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 2 to approx.3/4 professionals
• Lead and develop the team through the right training and career steps
• Ensure the relevant succession planning is in place

  Work with Supply Management Finance to ensure robust reporting and measurement of commercial performance

The Ideal Candidate

• Strong experience in previous Food Buying/ Category Management
• Previous team leading experience
• 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/ISM or equivalent qualification preferred
• Fluency in another language; French / Spanish a plus.

Package Description

Due to the urgency of this role we will start interviewing before the closing date. If interested and to avoid disappointment please apply online ASAP

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.