SES Category Development Director NEW Foodbuy Posted today Competitive Chertsey Central Functions

SES Category Development Director

(Supplies, Equipment & Services)

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 strategyProven 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.