Global Category Manager Proteins

We're looking for an experienced procurement and category management leader to shape the global strategy for a key food category within Yum! Brands' international supply chain. This is a highly visible role with the opportunity to influence sourcing strategy, supplier partnerships, sustainability initiatives, and long-term value creation across multiple regions. Working with senior stakeholders across Supply Chain, Finance, Sustainability, Food Safety & Quality, Strategy and Brand teams, you'll develop and execute category strategies that support growth, drive commercial value, strengthen supplier relationships and ensure business continuity. You'll also play a key role in harmonising global standards, supporting franchise partners and delivering procurement excellence across international markets. This is an exciting opportunity to make a genuine global impact within one of the world's leading restaurant companies.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a 3–5-year global category strategy aligned with business growth, innovation, ESG and risk management objectives; Lead global sourcing activities and negotiate strategic supplier partnerships that deliver long-term commercial value and innovation; Build strong relationships with regional and global stakeholders to ensure category strategies support wider business priorities; Own key supplier relationships, positioning Yum! as a customer of choice while improving capacity, pricing and competitive advantage; Drive governance, reporting and category performance through robust KPI frameworks and data-driven insights; Monitor spend, supplier performance, inflation, compliance, SKU rationalisation and value delivery to maximise category performance; Identify and mitigate category risks, ensuring effective business continuity and supply resilience; Partner with global and regional category teams to implement sourcing strategies consistently across international markets; Support franchisees through sourcing initiatives and long-term supplier agreements that improve margins and create sustainable value; Champion responsible sourcing, supplier compliance and ESG initiatives, including supporting animal welfare and supplier code of conduct programmes; Lead process improvement and digital enablement initiatives that increase transparency, simplify workstreams and strengthen collaboration across regional and global teams

Requirements

8–10+ years' experience in senior supply chain, procurement or sourcing roles, ideally within the food manufacturing or foodservice industry; 3–5 years' experience in global or regional strategic category management; Strong commercial acumen with the ability to develop and execute long-term category strategies; Proven experience managing strategic supplier relationships and leading complex sourcing programmes; Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the confidence to work across global, cross-functional teams; Experience using data and reporting to drive procurement performance and continuous improvement; A strategic mindset combined with the ability to operate autonomously in a fast-paced, evolving environment; Passion for collaboration, continuous improvement and delivering sustainable commercial value

Nice to have

Experience within protein sourcing is advantageous but not essential

Benefits

Hybrid working from our Woking RSC (just 24 mins from London) – 2 days in the office Wednesday/ Thursday; Up to 11% company pension contributions; 25 days' holiday (plus bank hols); 5 Live Well Days a year; Bonus scheme linked to company & personal performance; Private healthcare, Digital GP access & mental health coaching; Enhanced parental leave and flexible return options; Study support, income protection, life cover & more