Procurement Manager

Location: Greater London

# Procurement Manager### We are the leading Asian-inspired quick-service retail and grocery brand with over 80 restaurants across the UK, Belgium, and a growing wholesale business across Europe and beyond. Our renowned delicious food made fresh in every restaurant, every day, has made itsu a top choice for healthy eating. In addition to our restaurants, itsu [grocery] offers a range of high-quality Asian-inspired foods available online and in supermarkets.

We are excited to be one of the leading brands in this specific group and have ambitious plans for continued growth both domestically and globally.  With its best-in-class-food, latest technology, innovation, and talented workforce, itsu is the future of fast food.
** this is the job
*** Reports to the Head of Procurement, Supply Chain and Technical (PST) and plays a critical role delivering strategic and commercial leadership to the group
* Provides key leadership to ensure that the PST function enables the business to grow through delivering category strategies that help us manage risk and drive value for our business as well as franchise and supply partners.
* This role is accountable for the procurement and supply chain of core food, beverage and non-food categories across itsu through the creation and implementation of category strategies.
* The Procurement Manager will need to have strong commercial experience and skills in Food Service and/or Food Retail – with the capability to manage a multi-million pound spend, along with expert stakeholder management skills and a self-starter mindset.
* Solid, cross functional team leadership with a desire to ensure success is essential.
* Sourcing and selection from international supply partners experience is key for this role.
* You need a demonstrated track record of strong negotiating performance and high-level analytical problem-solving business skills.
* Meeting with supply and distribution partners, negotiating terms, maintaining great service levels and managing relationships.
* Always ensuring that all activities are better for customer, simpler for shops and create value for itsu.
** skill and responsibility overview**
* ** Strategic Procurement Leadership:
** Develop and implement category strategies for food, beverage, and non-food items to drive business growth and manage risk across UK and international markets.
* ** Stakeholder Management:
** Build and maintain strong relationships with supply partners and internal teams, ensuring alignment on goals and operational needs.
* ** Negotiation and Problem-Solving:
** Demonstrate exceptional negotiation skills and analytical problem-solving abilities to optimise procurement processes and achieve cost efficiencies.
* ** Market Awareness:
** Stay updated on market trends and commodity information to inform procurement decisions and enhance product offerings.
* *
* Cross-Functional Collaboration:

** Work collaboratively across departments to support the company’s growth strategy and drive continuous improvement in supply chain performance.
** core responsibilities
*** Active role in creating and delivering strategy that allows itsu to beat its business and sustainability targets with supply and distribution partners.
* Accountable for the Procurement and Supply Chain of selected categories (experience and development dependant) across the UK & International markets through creation and timely implementation of Category Strategies.
* Categories may include brand defining core such as Proteins and Rice as well as supporting the PST team with additional category and distribution management.
* You will report to the Head of Procurement & Supply Chain and as a key member of the team you will strive to deliver the business’s growth strategy and the goals in support of the development of best-in-class performance and facilities.
* You will achieve continuous improvement and competitive advantage across all supply partners.
* Engagement with International Partners and Supply Chain leads to focus on Global, Regional and Local products creating value in everything you through leveraging cost improvement and efficiency savings.
* You will continually investigate and recommend…