The Global Procurement Category Lead – Restaurant Indirects is responsible for defining and executing global category strategies that optimise total cost of ownership, strengthen supplier partnerships, improve operational resilience, and support Yum! Brands’ restaurant growth agenda across global markets. The role serves as the strategic category authority for restaurant indirect spend, partnering closely with global brand, development, operations, facilities, finance, and franchise stakeholders to deliver sustainable value and competitive advantage.
The Restaurant Indirects category encompasses global spend associated with the development, operation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of Yum! Brands restaurants. Scope includes construction and fit-out services, architectural and design services, furniture, fixtures and signage, facilities management, utilities, cleaning and sanitation, chemicals, waste and recycling, pest control, maintenance, repair and operations (MRO), and related operational support services
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Key Responsibiliti
- esDevelop, align stakeholders around, and execute multi-year global category strategies that deliver commercial value, operational excellence, risk mitigation, sustainability, and innovatio
- n.Lead complex, multi-country sourcing initiatives and collaborate with regional teams and franchisees to drive adoption and realise benefit
- s.Conduct high-value negotiations with strategic suppliers to secure optimal commercial outcomes, service performance, operational resilience, and risk reductio
- n.Monitor global market dynamics, supplier capabilities, inflationary pressures, innovation trends, sustainability developments, and emerging risks across the Restaurant Indirects portfoli
- o.Influence senior stakeholders across Global Operations, Development, Finance, Brand Leadership, Supply Chain, and Franchisee organisations to align sourcing strategies with business prioritie
- s.Build executive-level relationships with strategic suppliers and represent Yum! Brands in key commercial negotiations, supplier forums, and industry engagement
- s.Support the implementation of sourcing strategies across markets through effective governance, supplier playbooks, communication plans, and adoption suppor
- t.Foster cross-functional collaboration to ensure category strategies align with brand standards, restaurant development plans, facilities requirements, and sustainability objective
- s.Drive year-on-year value creation through strategic sourcing, supplier performance improvement, specification optimisation, demand management, and innovatio
- n.Operate effectively in a fast-paced and evolving environment, proactively identifying opportunities and solving complex business challenge
- s.Manage category risks and ensure appropriate mitigation strategies, supplier resilience plans, compliance requirements, and business continuity measures are in plac
- e.Support franchisee engagement and alignment to global and regional sourcing programmes where applicabl
e.
Capabilities & Experie
- nce10+ years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, category management, supply chain, or a related commercial discipline, including significant exposure to global or multi-market environmen
- ts.5+ years of experience in strategic category management, ideally across restaurant indirects, facilities management, construction services, utilities, sanitation, waste management, MRO, or related operational servic
- es.Proven success managing complex, multi-market supplier portfolios and sourcing programmes across indirect spend categori
- es.Strong understanding of restaurant development, facilities operations, service delivery models, supplier governance, and franchise business environmen
- ts.Deep expertise in strategic sourcing, category strategy development, supplier relationship management, contract negotiation, and category lifecycle manageme
- nt.Demonstrated experience negotiating complex regional or global agreements and implementing supplier performance framewor
- ks.Strong analytical and commercial acumen with the ability to interpret data, financial models, supplier proposals, cost drivers, and market intelligence to support decision-maki
- ng.Experience applying total cost of ownership (TCO), should-cost modelling, value engineering, and other value optimisation methodologi
- es.Demonstrated ability to lead strategically within complex, matrixed, and ambiguous global organisations while balancing competing stakeholder priorities and delivering measurable outcom
- es.Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and influencing stakeholders without direct authority across international marke
- ts.Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence audiences at all organisational leve
- ls.Resilience, adaptability, and sound judgement when navigating ambiguity and chan
- ge.High levels of integrity and commitment to compliance, ethical sourcing, supplier accountability, and responsible business practic
es.
Whats in it for
you:We offer benefits that make your life that little bit easier, because we know the juggle is r
eal.From flexible working to Live Well Days, we’ve created a package that supports the real you, in and out of w
ork.You’ll
- get:Remote working - this role is remote with the occational travel to our Woking RSC (just 24 mins from London). 20-30% local and international travel also requi
- red.Up to 11% company pension contribut
- ions25 days’ holiday (plus bank h
- ols)5 Live Well Days a year, just for
- youBonus scheme linked to company & personal perform
- ancePrivate healthcare, Digital GP access & mental health coac
- hingEnhanced parental leave and flexible return opt
- ionsStudy support, income protection, life cover &
more