Category Manager (Consumables, Equip & Beverages)

Compass Group Australia • Full-time • Australia, AU • 12h ago

Category Manager (Consumables, Equip & Beverages) – Foodbuy | Compass Group Australia
Perth office based, Newcastle Street, East Perth, 6000

Reporting to the BU GM - Growth Strategic Projects
Location flexible across our office network: Perth, Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane
Hybrid working model (2 days working from home & 3 days working in the office)

Compass Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange (Top 20) and is the global market leader in providing food and a range of support services to customers in the workplace, schools and colleges, hospitals, at leisure and in remote environments. We operate in over 50 countries, employ over 600,000 people, and are a recognized top 10 employer worldwide. In Australia, Compass Group Australia (CGA) generates $2.0Bn revenue per annum, servicing over 350 clients across over 700 sites, with 16,000 employees.

Do you have a passion for strategic sourcing and supplier partnerships? Are you ready to lead category growth and innovation in a dynamic, fast-paced environment? Join Compass Group's Foodbuy team as a Category Manager and play a vital role in shaping the future of our procurement strategy.

Join a global leader that feeds innovation, drives hospitality, and powers possibility!

The Role

Lead a nationally significant category portfolio and help shape how we deliver quality, value, and innovation across Compass Group Australia.

As Category Manager – Consumables, Equipment & Hot Beverages, you will take ownership of a diverse portfolio spanning premium beverages, foodservice consumables, packaging, and equipment. You’ll partner with leading brands and internal teams to drive strategic sourcing, supplier performance, sustainability, and customer-focused outcomes.

This is a high-impact role where your ideas and leadership will directly influence commercial results and future category direction.

Key Responsibilities:

Develop and execute category plans covering premium beverages, foodservice consumables, packaging, and equipment, delivering cost optimisation, service improvement, and innovation outcomes.
Drive strategic sourcing activities, including competitive tenders, supplier evaluations, and contract negotiations for high-value, complex spend.
Establish and manage strong supplier partnerships with global brands and innovative vendors to enhance product quality, sustainability, and commercial value.
Own contract lifecycle management, ensuring compliance, performance tracking, and continuous improvement of supplier outcomes.
Identify and implement opportunities for product innovation, new technologies, and sustainability initiatives across the category portfolio.
Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders (Operations, Finance, Culinary, Marketing, and Supply Chain) to influence procurement decisions and deliver integrated outcomes.
Analyse market trends, supplier performance, and financial data to inform strategic decision-making and category direction.
Drive measurable results across cost savings, service excellence, supply continuity, and customer experience improvements.
Manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, ensuring timely delivery of sourcing initiatives and commercial objectives.

About You

Experience in category management, procurement, or supply chain within a complex environment
Strong commercial and negotiation skills, with a track record of delivering results
Confident working with stakeholders and building trusted partnerships
Analytical mindset with the ability to translate insights into action
Proactive, organised, and comfortable managing multiple priorities
Relevant qualifications in Procurement, Supply Chain, Commerce, or similar (desirable)

Ready to lead a high-value category portfolio?
Drive value, innovation, and supplier performance across consumables, equipment, and beverages.

If you're ready to take the next step in your designer career and contribute to something bigger, we want to hear from you! For any questions, doubts, or for a confidential chat, please reach out to us at talisson@compass-group.com.au

We are committed to ensuring a recruitment process that is fair, inclusive, and accessible to all. If you require any adjustments or alternative methods of communication during the process, please let us know—our team will support you in the way that works best for you.