Strategic Sourcing Director
Location: London
Business Area: Foodbuy Group
Salary: Competitive + benefits
About Foodbuy Group
Foodbuy Group is the UK's largest food procurement organisation, managing over £2bn of spend across food, non‑food and retail‑adjacent categories. Proudly part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, we work directly with manufacturers and growers to deliver commercial value, supply resilience and responsible sourcing for a diverse portfolio of clients.
At Foodbuy, commercial rigour, clarity of thinking and disciplined execution matter. We are building a sourcing function that is strategic, insight‑led and uncompromising on delivery.
The Role
The Strategic Sourcing Director sets the direction for Foodbuy's sourcing strategy and leads a high‑performing team delivering meaningful, measurable value across a multi‑hundred‑million‑pound spend.
This is a senior leadership role requiring strong commercial judgement, exceptional negotiation capability and the ability to bring structure and pace to complex environments. You will ensure sourcing is a proactive, results‑driven partner to the business—driving cost leadership, supply resilience, innovation and long‑term value creation.
You will operate at pace, lead from the front on critical negotiations, and raise the overall sophistication of sourcing across strategy, governance, tools and capability.
Key Responsibilities
* Own and lead Foodbuy's sourcing strategy across all major categories, ensuring clear priorities and strong commercial foundations
* Deliver best‑in‑class sourcing execution, embedding consistent, transparent and compliant processes
* Lead high‑value, complex sourcing programmes delivering improvements across cost, quality, service, innovation and risk
* Personally lead and support major supplier negotiations, ensuring Foodbuy's scale and standards are fully realised
* Strengthen alignment across Category Development, Clients, Supply Chain, Sustainability and Operations
* Enhance sourcing sophistication through SKU optimisation, risk mitigation, supplier‑led innovation and data‑driven decision‑making
* Champion modern sourcing tools, systems and methodologies, including e‑sourcing platforms
* Build, lead and develop a high‑performing sourcing team, strengthening capability in negotiation, governance and commercial judgement
What We're Looking ForEssential
* Senior leadership experience in sourcing, procurement or commercial strategy
* Proven delivery of significant, measurable commercial results
* Outstanding negotiation capability with major, complex suppliers (non‑negotiable)
* Strong analytical capability with the ability to use insight to shape strategy
* Experience leading multiple high‑value sourcing initiatives concurrently
* Strong governance, risk management and process discipline
Desirable
* Experience within GPOs, buying groups or multi‑client environments
* Exposure to responsible sourcing, ESG and supply‑risk management
* Familiarity with modern e‑sourcing tools and procurement technologies
Leadership Style & Attributes
* Commercially driven and outcomes‑focused
* Structured, decisive and calm under pressure
* Credible senior‑level stakeholder influencer
* Low ego, high integrity, and comfortable leading in ambiguity
* Strategic thinker with a hands‑on delivery mindset
Why Join Foodbuy
* Influence procurement strategy at national scale
* Operate in a commercially serious, delivery‑focused environment
* Work with senior stakeholders across Compass Group UK & Ireland
* Lead a function with real opportunity to raise standards and shape the future
REED