Category Lead

Category Lead - Leeds, Chester, Chertsey

Category Lead

NHS Supply Chain | Foodbuy (Compass Group)

Location:

Chertsey / Daresbury / Wakefield

Grade: D

Reports to:

Head of Procurement - NHS

We're looking for an experienced and commercially driven Category Lead - NHS to join NHS Supply Chain:
Food, part of Foodbuy and Compass Group. This is a senior role with responsibility for defining and delivering category strategy, leading procurement activity and driving continuous improvement across a complex, high-value supply base.

Working closely with the Head of Procurement - NHS, you will shape and deliver the overarching procurement strategy and KPIs for NHS trusts, directing sourcing, supplier management and contract strategies across multiple frameworks and agreements.

You'll lead a high-performing team of buyers and oversee approximately 80m of spend, covering a broad food portfolio including ready meals (DRPM), fresh produce, meat & poultry, dairy, food‑to‑go and vending.

• Lead and develop a team of buyers to deliver year‑on‑year savings, savings retention and category growth
• Define and execute category strategies aligned to NHS Supply Chain objectives and trust requirements
• Act as process steward to capture business requirements and drive compliance to NHS Supply Chain frameworks
• Ensure effective implementation of agreed ranges, services and supply chains following sourcing events
• Develop and lead best‑in‑class supplier and contract management strategies, maximising commercial value and market share
• Own supplier relationship strategies, including governance, performance management and quarterly business reviews
• Build strong, collaborative relationships across account management, operations, finance and project teams
• Develop compelling category propositions that support account teams in driving trust compliance
• Deliver client KPIs, build credibility with NHS stakeholders and promote Foodbuy's value as a Category Tower Service Provider
• Analyse and resolve complex commercial and operational issues to protect and grow trust spend
• Energise, inspire and develop your team with pace, passion and resilience

You'll be a strategic, confident leader with strong commercial acumen and a proven ability to deliver results in complex environments.

• Experience managing complex supplier, distributor and client relationships
• Ideally experience within public sector procurement and associated legislation
• Proven track record of leading high‑performing commercial or procurement teams
• Strong decision‑maker, comfortable operating under pressure
• Excellent analytical capability with the ability to interpret data and drive insight‑led decisions
• A collaborative, influential leader with a strong "can‑do" mindset
• A skilled negotiator with a focus on category development and market advantage
• Accountable for team performance, outputs and commercial results
• Confident managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
• Experienced in change management, with the ability to lead teams through transformation
• High personal and professional integrity, with a commitment to ethical standards

• Play a key role in delivering value and innovation to the NHS
• Lead a significant, high‑profile food category portfolio
• Influence strategy at a senior level within a market‑leading organisation
• Be part of Foodbuy and Compass Group—combining scale, purpose and opportunity