SES Category Development Director Foodbuy Posted Functions

SES Category Development Director

(Supplies, Equipment & Services)

Location:

London/Chertsey/Hybrid
Salary:
Competitive
Business Area:
Foodbuy
Reporting to:
Chief Commercial Officer

Foodbuy Group is the UK’s leading food procurement organisation, managing over £2bn of spend across food service 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.

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.

• 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

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.

• 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

• Experience with in GPOs, buying groups or multi‑client environments
• Exposure to hospitality, food service, facilities or operational services
• Experience working with a diverse supplier base, including SMEs

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.