Strategic Sourcing Manager

Foodbuy Group is a leading food procurement organisation based in the UK. With over £1.5B of managed spend, we bring together a wide range of foodservice and hospitality clients to buy food, and everything associated with it. We work closely with our clients to deliver expert procurement services saving them both time and money and enabling them to focus on what really matters to their businesses.

Proudly part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, who are our parent company and largest client, we purchase directly from manufacturers and growers and our suppliers range from the most recognised brands in the industry to regional and local providers. With a team of 200 procurement professionals driving us forward, our combination of unrivalled scale and outstanding data analysis sets us apart in our markets.

We are looking to hire a Strategic Sourcing Manager to join the team in our Chertsey office. Our Strategic Sourcing function is a critical enabler to ensuring we are supplying the right products and services, at the right price, whilst supporting our wider strategic priorities around Net Zero, Social Value and beyond.

This is a critical role within Foodbuy that enables and supports delivery of our Strategic Sourcing activity. The primary purpose of the sourcing team is to develop and execute strategies to secure value for all clients by taking categories or spend to market based on agreed triggers.

Key responsibilities:

• Take responsibility for all sourcing outcomes on the projects within your remit, ensuring they support the Foodbuy 3 Year strategy, reduce supply chain risk and deliver value for all clients
• Managing a number of tenders, both through your team of buyers and independently (depending on category complexity). Ensuring projects, you work on deliver against/surpass set targets, though best practice and following the Foodbuy Procurement Framework and processes
• Build great relationships with clients, stakeholder and the internal team, collaborating to help identify future opportunities for value creation
• Raise the profile of the Strategic Sourcing activity and outcomes, by creating a platform to ‘tell our story’, both internally and across our client base
• Team management, development and coaching to ensure buyers are performing to their optimum ability
• Identify market trends and insight around best in class procurement and apply learnings to our approach, processes and procedures to keep us ahead of our competition

Skills required:

• Working knowledge of end-to-end supply chain within a retailer, foodservice or FMCG organisation
• Strong background in procurement, specifically focused on Strategic Sourcing and or category management
• Ability to influence and gain buy in from senior level stakeholders both internally and externally to Foodbuy
• Strong decision maker, with good commercial acumen who is comfortable working under pressure
• Strong work ethic with ability to manage multiple projects and meet challenging deadlines
• Proven ability to reduce cost against tough market backdrops
• Experience managing/mentoring a buyer(s) and ability to increase performance
• Demonstration of strategic procurement, which extends beyond tactical tenders
• Effective negotiation, facilitation and conflict management skills

We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:

• Contributory pension scheme
• Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
• Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
• Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families