Procurement Category Manager – F&B, Retail and OPEX

Overview

In this role you shape procurement across F&B, Retail and OPEX to unlock value and drive innovation. You will partner with cross-functional teams to align category strategies with Merlin’s transformation and growth goals. You lead sourcing roadmaps, supplier negotiations and governance to deliver cost savings and performance improvements. This position offers a meaningful chance to influence global spend and strengthen supplier partnerships within a dynamic entertainment business.

Pay / Benefits

• Merlin Annual Passes
• Merlin Magic Pass
• 33 days holiday
• Company bonus
• Private pension scheme
• 40% discount online off LEGO

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver global category strategies aligned to business objectives
• Create sourcing roadmaps that drive value, innovation and operational excellence
• Identify spend optimisation opportunities and consolidate suppliers
• Lead procurement transformation initiatives and governance
• Promote adoption of procurement tools, analytics and category frameworks
• Manage complex sourcing projects, negotiations and contract activities
• Deliver measurable cost savings and value creation across categories
• Build strategic supplier partnerships and foster continuous improvement
• Manage supplier risk and ensure governance, cybersecurity and data protection compliance
• Partner with Finance, Legal, Risk and Operations stakeholders

Key requirements

• Specialised procurement experience in F&B, Retail or OPEX within a complex global organisation
• Proven ability to develop and implement category strategies
• Track record of procurement transformation or maturity improvements
• Strong commercial negotiation and contract management skills
• Experience managing strategic relationships with global technology vendors
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills

• stakeholder management
• influencing
• collaboration
• category strategy development
• supplier negotiations
• contract management

…