Category Buyer

Overview

This job is with Compass Group UK & Ireland, an inclusive employer and a member of my Gwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly.

Location: Chertsey/London/Hybrid Reports to: Proteins Category Manager Category: Fish & Seafood Position: Fish & Seafood Buyer

Join Foodbuy as Our Next Fish & Seafood Buyer

Are you passionate about fish and seafood, commercially sharp, and ready to make a real impact in one of Foodbuy s most exciting categories? We re looking for a Fish & Seafood Buyer to help shape and deliver our category strategy—driving value, sustainability, and innovation for our clients and partners.

About Foodbuy

Foodbuy is a leading procurement organisation with a powerful purpose: to deliver exceptional value, quality, and sustainability across the food supply chain. Working with an extensive network of suppliers and industry experts, we leverage our scale, insight, and innovative approach to ensure our clients receive the very best products and solutions. At Foodbuy, you ll join a collaborative, forward‑thinking team that is passionate about shaping the future of responsible sourcing and making a real impact across the industry.

As the Fish & Seafood Buyer, you ll take responsibility for the end‑to‑end buying process across this category. Your role will include:

• Category & Supplier Management
• Developing and executing a long‑term category strategy with the Proteins Category Manager.
• Identifying, meeting, and nurturing relationships with new and existing suppliers.
• Tracking industry trends, cost drivers, and best practices to inform category decisions.
• Leading contract planning, negotiation, execution, and supplier performance reviews.

• Commercial Delivery
• Managing category spend and ensuring strong commercial outcomes.
• Creating sustainable long‑term pricing mechanisms to support competitive advantage.
• Evaluating bids with the sourcing team to secure the best commercial and quality results.
• Sharing category insights, performance updates and market movements across the business.

• Operational & Cross‑Functional Support
• Ensuring all products meet Foodbuy s food safety and CSR standards.
• Working closely with supply chain teams to secure reliable on‑time supply.
• Partnering with culinary development teams to support client menu needs.
• Providing expert content and insights to support sales and bid teams.
• Managing category‑related queries from internal and external stakeholders.

You ll thrive in this role if you are passionate, commercially driven, and comfortable owning a strategically important category.

• Experience in food procurement or sourcing, ideally with fish & seafood knowledge.
• Strong commercial acumen and excellent negotiation and influencing skills.
• Skilled in procurement systems with advanced Excel capability.
• Able to build trusted business relationships and work effectively across teams.
• Resilient, results‑orientated, and motivated by challenging targets.

• Recognised subject matter expertise in fish & seafood.
• A confident communicator and presenter able to steer conversations and decisions.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to work independently.
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail and deadline awareness.
• Experience delivering cost reductions in challenging markets.
• Enthusiastic, ambitious, and proactive.

You ll join a dynamic, supportive and highly collaborative procurement team where you ll have the chance to shape a key category, drive innovation, and contribute to industry‑leading sourcing standards. This is an opportunity to make a real impact across the supply chain while growing your career in a purpose‑driven organisation.