Category Procurement Manager

itsu grocery are hiring: Category Procurement Manager (Ambient & Frozen)

itsu is a crusading, dynamic, & fast-growing chain of Asian-inspired healthy food shops. itsu grocery , brings the itsu vision into retail/wholesale worldwide.

itsu grocery is looking for a Category Procurement Manager to join its Supply Chain team.

We're looking for a Category Procurement Manager to lead procurement for our ambient and frozen categories, supporting existing ranges and NPD across a growing supplier base. You'll deliver strong commercial outcomes while ensuring products meet our sourcing and certification standards and are operationally ready to launch.

Responsibilities

• Own procurement for the ambient & frozen categories, including supplier management, selection and ongoing performance monitoring.
• Lead price negotiations, market/commodity analysis and cost-saving initiatives.
• Partner with the Head of Procurement to shape and deliver the overall procurement category strategy and sourcing roadmap for ambient and frozen categories.
• Work with the NPD team to source new suppliers and products across all temperature regimes.
• Own our supplier onboarding process, ensuring supplier documentation, commercial terms and certifications are in place and kept up to date.
• Work closely with our project teams to lead supply chain representation in NPD / EPD for our ambient and frozen projects.
• Ensure operational readiness for launches and range changes, ensuring MOQs, lead times, critical paths and supply chain risks are identified, agreed and managed.

You

• Minimum 3-5years experience in a buying, procurement or product/NPD role, ideally within FMCG, or food manufacturing
• Strong commercial skills and accuracy
• Confident with negotiations
• Proven record of great supplier relationship management and ability to communicate effectively with varying stakeholders
• Great organisational skills with the ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and manage multiple tasks
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate cross-functionally
• Understanding of the NPD Gate process and knowledge of supply chain operations
• Knowledge of Incoterms, freight and customs processes for food imports
• High level of data accuracy and written comprehension with strong attention to detail
• An open-minded approach to the role and a flexible, can-do, friendly attitude. Our business is constantly changing.

What we offer

• Join an expanding food business
• The ability to drive change and influence the growth of the business
• Competitive salary
• Bonus scheme
• 25 days holiday
• Private Health Insurance
• Company Pension Scheme
• Free itsu lunch
• 50% itsu discount