Location: London/Chertsey/Hybrid
Salary: Competitive
Business Area: Foodbuy
Reporting to: Chief Commercial Officer
About Foodbuy Group
Foodbuy Group is the UK's leading food procurement organisation, managing over £2bn of spend across foodservice and hospitality. Part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, a FTSE 100 business, Foodbuy works with a wide range of clients to deliver expert procurement, commercial insight and sustainable value across food and non-food categories.
Our people, partners and clients sit at the heart of everything we do. Our scale and supplier reach offer a unique platform to innovate, grow and shape markets.
The Role
We are seeking an experienced SES Category Development Director to lead a step-change in Foodbuy's non-food proposition across Supplies, Equipment & Services (SES).
This is a senior leadership role focused on growth, expansion and reinvention. Rather than operating as a traditional category management position, the role exists to transform SES into a growth-oriented, opportunity-led commercial engine - broadening capability, entering new spaces and increasing relevance for clients.
Operating with significant autonomy and executive-level influence, the SES Category Development Director will bring fresh thinking, commercial ambition and renewed energy to one of Foodbuy's most important growth platforms.
Key Responsibilities
* Define and lead Foodbuy's SES commercial strategy across supplies, equipment and services
* Drive a mindset shift from transactional procurement to growth-led category development
* Identify and unlock new category opportunities, adjacencies and routes to market
* Expand and reposition the SES offer to deliver greater relevance, choice and value for clients
* Build a diverse supplier ecosystem, including strategic partners and SMEs
* Translate client needs into scalable, compelling SES propositions
* Strengthen strategic supplier relationships while welcoming innovation and disruption
* Work collaboratively across sourcing, category, account management and operations
* Represent Foodbuy credibly with senior clients, suppliers and industry stakeholders
* Build, mentor and energise a high-performing SES commercial team
About You
You are a senior commercial leader who sees non-food categories as a platform for growth, not just cost control. You are comfortable challenging legacy thinking, reframing value and creating momentum through change.
Essential experience
* Senior commercial leadership within non-food, indirect procurement, services or multi-category environments
* Strong background in procurement, category or commercial strategy
* Proven success driving growth, expansion or transformation of category portfolios
* Ability to influence credibly with senior clients and suppliers
* Strong commercial judgement and strategic thinking
* Track record of building and developing high-performing teams
Desirable experience
* Experience within GPOs, buying groups or multi-client environments
* Exposure to hospitality, foodservice, facilities or operational services
* Experience working with a diverse supplier base, including SMEs
Why Join Foodbuy?
This is a rare opportunity to redefine and grow a critical commercial platform within a market-leading organisation. You will shape the future of Foodbuy's non-food proposition, unlock new sources of value for clients and suppliers, and build a future-ready SES team - all within the scale and stability of a FTSE 100 group.
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