SES Category Development Director

SES Category Development Director

(Supplies, Equipment & Services)

Location: London/Chertsey/HybridSalary: CompetitiveBusiness Area: FoodbuyReporting to: Chief Commercial Officer

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.

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.

Essential experience:

• 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

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

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.