SENIOR CATEGORY BUYER (KITCHEN EQUIPMENT/SOFT SERVICES - NON-FOOD)
Job Title: Senior Category Buyer (Non-Food: Kitchen Equipment & Soft Services)
Reports To: Head of Procurement / Non-Food Buying Manager
Job Type: Full-Time
Position Summary:
We are looking for a dynamic and commercially astute Senior Category Buyer to lead our Non-Food division, focusing on Kitchen Equipment and Soft Services. This role is pivotal in sourcing products and services that support our operational infrastructure and enhance our brand reputation. The ideal candidate will be an expert negotiator with a strong understanding of capital equipment procurement and service-level agreements.
Key Responsibilities:
Category Strategy & Management:
- Develop and implement strategic sourcing plans for the Kitchen Equipment (e.g., ovens, refrigeration, dishwashers) and Soft Services (e.g., linen, uniform, cleaning, pest control) categories.
- Conduct thorough market research to benchmark costs, identify new suppliers, and evaluate innovative technologies.
- Manage the entire asset lifecycle, from capital expenditure (CAPEX) justification to disposal/replacement.
Sourcing & Supplier Management:
- Lead complex, high-value tenders and negotiations for both products and service contracts.
- Build and manage a robust supplier base, ensuring reliability, quality, and competitive pricing.
- Establish and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for all soft service providers.
- Source sustainable and ethically produced products for soft services (e.g., recycled uniforms, eco-friendly cleaning supplies).
Commercial & Financial Acumen:
- Manage significant CAPEX and OPEX budgets, delivering cost savings and value beyond price.
- Prepare business cases for capital investments, demonstrating ROI and total cost of ownership (TCO).
- Negotiate long-term maintenance and service contracts to minimize operational downtime and life-cycle costs.
- Analyze spend data to identify cost-saving opportunities and drive efficiency.
Compliance & Risk Management:
- Ensure all equipment procured meets industry safety standards and regulatory requirements.
- Manage contractual and operational risks associated with service providers.
- Conduct supplier site audits and ensure compliance with company policies and ethical standards.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- Partner closely with Operations, Facilities, and Food Safety teams to understand their requirements and challenges.
- Act as the primary procurement liaison for project teams during new store openings or refurbishments.
- Collaborate with Finance on budget planning, invoice reconciliation, and CAPEX approval processes.
Qualifications & Experience:
- Must have 3-5 years of experience in a strategic procurement or buying role, specifically within non-food categories, with a focus on kitchen equipment, capital goods, and/or soft services.
- Proven experience in managing high-value CAPEX projects and complex service contracts.
- Strong background in negotiating with national and international suppliers of equipment and services.
- Demonstrated ability to manage supplier performance through SLAs and KPIs.
- Excellent financial acumen with experience in budgeting, cost analysis, and building business cases.
- Superior communication, stakeholder management, and project management skills.
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or a related field is preferred.
