Procurement Manager – Food Categories

Job description

Our client, a globally recognised organisation operating within the food services and facilities management sector, is seeking an experienced Strategic Procurement & Category Manager to join their growing procurement function in Dublin.

This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially focused procurement professional to take ownership of key food categories across Ireland and the UK. The role offers significant exposure to supplier strategy, category development, commercial negotiations, and cross-functional stakeholder engagement within a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the Strategic Sourcing Director, you will play a key role in shaping procurement strategies, enhancing supplier performance, and delivering value-driven initiatives across a diverse food portfolio.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement sourcing strategies across fresh, chilled, frozen, and ambient food categories.
• Lead tendering exercises, supplier reviews, and commercial negotiations.
• Build and maintain strong supplier partnerships to ensure service excellence and value delivery.
• Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities while maintaining product quality and supply continuity.
• Manage supplier onboarding, compliance, and contractual agreements.
• Analyse spend data, market trends, and supplier performance metrics to support business decisions.
• Work closely with operational, logistics, finance, and commercial teams across Ireland and the UK.
• Support product range development, category growth initiatives, and promotional activity.
• Drive continuous improvement projects within procurement and supply chain operations.
• Contribute to sustainability and responsible sourcing programmes across the business.

Candidate Profile

We are interested in speaking with procurement professionals who have a strong commercial mindset and experience managing supplier relationships within food, hospitality, retail, FMCG, or related sectors.

Requirements:

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in procurement, category management, strategic sourcing, or supply chain.
• Proven track record of supplier management and commercial negotiation.
• Experience managing food or FMCG categories, ideally including fresh or short shelf-life products.
• Strong understanding of sourcing methodologies, tender processes, and contract management.
• Excellent analytical, reporting, and financial evaluation skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Experience delivering cost reduction and value improvement projects.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities within a fast-paced commercial environment.

Preferred Experience

• Degree qualification in Business, Supply Chain, Procurement, or a related discipline.
• CIPS qualification or active progression towards certification.
• Experience within foodservice, hospitality, retail, or FMCG sectors.
• Knowledge of sustainable sourcing and supplier governance practices.

Benefits

• Join a respected international organisation with a strong market presence.
• Opportunity to influence procurement strategy and business performance.
• Hybrid working environment.
• Supportive and collaborative culture.
• Clear career development and progression opportunities.
• Exposure to large-scale procurement projects across Ireland, the UK, and Europe.