Head of Direct Category Procurement

Yum! UK & I Europe is a part of One Yum! Supply Chain Centre of Excellence (COE), set up to support KFC and Taco Bell with one supply chain, one purpose and one bold goal: unmatched profitability for every restaurant. The COE works horizontally across brands, markets, functions, franchisees and suppliers to deliver safe, reliable and sustainable supply; improve restaurant paybacks; accelerate growth; and power brand strategies through world-class category management, supplier partnerships, data, governance and innovation execution. Role purpose Lead the Direct category agenda, building multi-year category strategies that deliver value, quality, food safety, resilience, sustainability and innovation for KFC and Taco Bell restaurants. Shape the food and packaging supply base behind two of the world's most loved restaurant brands. This is a senior leadership role with the mandate to make direct procurement a growth engine - creating customer-loved products, stronger franchise economics and a resilient supplier ecosystem across Europe. You will lead the Direct category organisation across food, packaging and critical menu inputs, acting as the strategic lead between brand teams, FSQA, innovation, operations, finance, franchisees and suppliers. What you will do Set the 5-year Direct procurement strategy and translate it into category roadmaps, sourcing plans, value creation pipelines and risk mitigation plans. Lead and coach a high-performing team of category leads, creating clarity, pace and capability. Work horizontally across Marketing, Food Innovation, FSQA, Operations, Finance, Sustainability, market teams, franchisees and Global Supply Chain to ensure category strategies serve restaurant needs. Use supplier briefs, supplier events and executive supplier forums to unlock innovation, capacity, cost competitiveness and speed to market. Own senior strategic supplier relationships, negotiation guardrails, commercial governance and long-term pricing mechanisms across critical categories. Ensure food safety, quality, responsible sourcing, sustainability and business continuity guardrails are embedded in all category strategies and supplier decisions. Drive value engineering and portfolio optimisation while protecting brand standards and customer experience. What success looks like Improved restaurant economics through validated savings, cost avoidance, payback improvement and total cost optimisation. Reliable execution for KFC and Taco Bell markets, with stronger supplier performance, fewer disruptions and clear issue ownership. Category strategies that are understood by brands, functions, franchisees and suppliers, and translated into practical delivery plans. A supplier ecosystem that brings innovation, resilience, quality, food safety, sustainability and competitive advantage to the business. What you will bring 10+ years' experience in procurement, supply chain or category leadership, ideally in QSR, foodservice, FMCG, retail or a multi-market consumer environment. Proven success leading direct food, packaging or ingredient categories at regional or enterprise scale. Strong knowledge of supplier relationship management, strategic sourcing, cost modelling, commodity exposure, negotiation and value creation. Credibility with senior stakeholders and the ability to influence across brands, markets, functions, franchisees and suppliers without relying on hierarchy. Understanding of food safety, quality, sustainability and supply resilience requirements in a consumer-facing food business. Experience leading teams, building capability and turning a strategy into measurable outcomes. Commercially sharp, externally curious and comfortable challenging established thinking with data, judgement and pace. How you will work Strategic and hands-on; able to move from senior stakeholder debate to practical execution. A relationship builder who can bring suppliers, franchisees and functions around a common agenda. Comfortable with ambiguity, pace and a matrix environment where influence matters as much as authority. Working pattern Hybrid role based from Woking, with European market, restaurant and supplier travel as required.