Category Buyer – NHS Supply Chain – Food
Location: Chertsey / Normanton / Chester (hybrid)
Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent
About Foodbuy: Foodbuy is a leading food procurement organisation, part of Compass Group UK & Ireland. We support a wide range of clients across public and private sectors, using our scale, expertise and insight to deliver value, innovation and sustainable supply chain solutions. Within Foodbuy, NHS Supply Chain: Food plays a critical role in supporting hospitals and healthcare organisations across the UK – helping Trusts deliver outstanding food and dining services while meeting commercial, quality and regulatory expectations. Our teams work in close partnership with the NHS to drive engagement, improve performance and identify opportunities that genuinely make a difference.
Role
We are looking for a Category Buyer to join our NHS Supply Chain: Food team. In this role, you will manage the end‑to‑end procurement process for your category, delivering compliant, innovative and commercially focused sourcing solutions that drive value for the NHS. You will take ownership of category supplier relationships, work closely with internal and external stakeholders, and deliver procurement activity in line with public procurement regulations, while continually identifying opportunities to improve performance and outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
* Manage the full end‑to‑end procurement lifecycle for your category on behalf of NHS Supply Chain: Food
* Lead and deliver the NHS Supply Chain: Food Procurement Framework, from strategy development and tendering through to launch and ongoing supplier relationship management
* Develop and implement category strategies that optimise buying power, drive savings and deliver long‑term value
* Build strong relationships with suppliers, ensuring effective engagement, performance management and continuous improvement
* Work collaboratively with stakeholders across Foodbuy, Trusts and the wider Compass organisation
* Conduct market and industry analysis to build insight, support negotiations and inform category strategy
* Operate all procurement activity in line with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Procurement Act 2023
* Support delivery of team targets and KPIs to ensure value and savings are delivered for the NHS
What You’ll Bring
* Experience managing or supporting category procurement in a public sector or regulated environment
* Strong understanding of public procurement regulations and compliant sourcing processes
* Experience leading procurement frameworks and tender activity
* Confident stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to work cross‑functionally
* Commercial awareness and the ability to build market insight and supplier knowledge
* A proactive, organised approach, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment
* Strong analytical skills and attention to detail
Working Pattern
This is a full‑time role aligned to offices in Chertsey, Normanton or Chester, depending on home location, with some travel to UK‑based sites and offices required.
Why Join Us
In return, we offer clearly defined career pathways, learning and development programmes, and progression opportunities to support your long‑term career aspirations – alongside the opportunity to make a genuine impact by supporting NHS organisations across the UK.
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