Job Description

Our client, a leading international hospitality and retail group is seeking a Category Buying Manager to take ownership of its high?profile Beverages & Snacking categories, valued at approximately 120m revenue per year.
This is a commercially critical role requiring a strong negotiator, a confident communicator, and someone who can drive margin, supplier performance, and innovation across a fast?moving product portfolio.
Location - Central London 3 days per week/2 days WFH
Role and Responsibilities:

• Develop category plans including tender timelines, supplier strategies, and long?term category vision.
• Negotiate pricing, mitigate annual inflation, and deliver category gross margin targets.
• Own end?to?end supplier performance, ensuring uninterrupted supply and strong service levels.
• Partner with internal teams to ensure products and services are fit for purpose across all stores.
• Provide market insights, performance updates and actionable category reporting to key stakeholders.
• Engage new stakeholders who may not have previously worked with procurement to unlock commercial value.
• Ensure compliance with legislative changes relating to packaging.
• Support additional categories where required, as well as two sister brands within the wider group.

Required Skillset:

• Strong experience in procurement or buying within retail, hospitality, or food & beverage.
• Proven negotiation, influencing, and deal?making ability with clear evidence of securing commercial value.
• Analytical thinker with the ability to interpret data and make informed category decisions.
• Excellent communication skills with an adaptable style across stores, suppliers, and leadership.
• Experience engaging store/operations teams to deliver in?store initiatives and compliance.
• Proactive mindset, strong time?management, and the ability to work at pace.

Benefits:

• Competitive Salary + Bonus
• Hybrid working: 3 days per week in a central London head office.
• Access to an employee benefits platform with extensive discounts.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with service.
• Private medical care and cash?plan healthcare scheme.
• Life assurance cover.
• Opportunities to undertake fully funded professional qualifications.

Skills Required