Fruit and Veg Category BuyerLocation: London/Chertsey/HybridSalary: Competitive + excellent benefitsBusiness Area: Core FoodAbout Foodbuy GroupFoodbuy Group is a leading food procurement organisation in the UK, managing over £2.5bn of spend across foodservice and hospitality. As part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, we work directly with growers, manufacturers and suppliers — from major brands to regional specialists — to deliver value, quality and sustainability for our clients.We’re now looking for a Fruit & Veg Category Buyer to join our Core Food procurement team, supporting the Category Manager in shaping and delivering category strategy across fresh and frozen fruit & vegetables.The RoleThis is an exciting opportunity for a developing buyer to take the next step in their procurement career. You’ll support the end‑to‑end category process — from supplier engagement and pricing to insight, sustainability and tender activity — while gaining exposure to strategic category management in a fast‑paced, commercial environment.You’ll work closely with suppliers, internal stakeholders, culinary teams and supply chain partners, playing a key role in delivering value, quality, service and innovation for Foodbuy clients.Key ResponsibilitiesSupport the Category Manager in delivering short, medium and long‑term category strategyBuild strong relationships with growers and suppliers, including supplier meetings and farm visitsSupport sourcing, tender preparation, benchmarking and contract renewalsTrack industry trends and provide regular category insightUpload and manage monthly price files for external clientsLiaise with supply chain teams on service levels, risks and contingency planningSupport CSR compliance, sourcing standards and regulatory requirementsReview supplier performance and support continuous improvementProvide category input for sales, bids and wider stakeholder queriesPresent insights on price movements, category plans and tender outcomesAbout YouCurrently operating as a Buyer’s Assistant or Category Buyer, ready to progressCommercially minded and comfortable working to targetsStrong analytical skills with confidence using Excel and procurement systemsSome experience of supplier negotiation and relationship managementPassionate about sustainability and responsible sourcingOrganised, detail‑focused and resilient in a fast‑paced environmentConfident working with cross‑functional teams and adapting to changeWhat’s in it for youCompetitive salaryContributory pension schemeCareer Pathways and MyLearning development programmesDigital GP and wider healthcare benefitsDiscounts across travel, retail, groceries and entertainmentReward and recognition schemes, including Wow Points#Reed
