Global Category Manager Proteins
KFC · UK
Our estimate of how close this role sits to decisions about what gets sourced, specified, bought and served. How we score
Why this role matters
Where the work sits relative to real sourcing and menu decisions.
This role sits directly over global protein sourcing strategy for one of the world's largest restaurant companies, spanning KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. The advert explicitly names "supporting animal welfare and supplier code of conduct programmes" as part of the remit, alongside owning key supplier relationships and negotiating strategic partnerships. Whoever holds this seat helps decide the supplier standards written into contracts, the KPIs suppliers are measured against, and which protein suppliers Yum! rewards with long-term agreements or drops for falling short. Category volumes at this scale reach millions of meals across international markets, so the pen held here carries proportionate weight in setting the floor for welfare compliance across a huge global chicken and protein supply chain. This is one of the most structurally proximate seats a candidate could hold, and success here builds exactly the credibility, supplier relationships and category fluency that open doors to even more senior food-business roles shaping animal welfare standards at scale.
About the role
This is a Global Category Manager Proteins role within Yum! Brands' international supply chain function, working across KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. The role owns the global strategy for a key protein category, working with senior stakeholders across Supply Chain, Finance, Sustainability, Food Safety & Quality, Strategy and Brand teams to develop and execute category strategies supporting growth, commercial value, supplier relationships and business continuity. Core responsibilities include developing and implementing a 3–5-year global category strategy aligned with business growth, innovation, ESG and risk management objectives; leading global sourcing activities and negotiating strategic supplier partnerships; building relationships with regional and global stakeholders; owning key supplier relationships to position Yum! as a "customer of choice" while improving capacity, pricing and competitive advantage; driving governance, reporting and category performance through KPI frameworks and data-driven insights; monitoring spend, supplier performance, inflation, compliance, SKU rationalisation and value delivery; identifying and mitigating category risks; partnering with global and regional category teams on consistent sourcing strategy implementation; supporting franchisees through sourcing initiatives and supplier agreements; championing responsible sourcing, supplier compliance and ESG initiatives including animal welfare and supplier code of conduct programmes; and leading process improvement and digital enablement initiatives. Candidates should bring 8–10+ years' experience in senior supply chain, procurement or sourcing roles, ideally within food manufacturing or foodservice, plus 3–5 years' experience in global or regional strategic category management. Experience within protein sourcing is described as advantageous but not essential. The advert asks for strong commercial acumen, proven experience managing strategic supplier relationships and complex sourcing programmes, excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills across global cross-functional teams, experience using data and reporting to drive procurement performance, a strategic mindset with the ability to operate autonomously, and a passion for collaboration and continuous improvement. The role is based at the Woking Restaurant Support Centre (RSC) with hybrid working — two days in the office on Wednesday and Thursday. Benefits listed include up to 11% company pension contributions, 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays, 5 "Live Well Days" a year, a bonus scheme linked to company and personal performance, private healthcare, digital GP access, mental health coaching, enhanced parental leave with flexible return options, and study support, income protection and life cover.
This is an extract. Read the full advert on the employer's site.
Key terms to include in your CV and cover letter
What this employer asks for, in their own words. Applications are often screened by software matching exact phrases, so where these genuinely describe your experience, use their wording rather than your own.
- global category strategy
- protein sourcing
- supplier relationship management
- strategic sourcing
- commercial negotiation
- supplier compliance
- responsible sourcing
- animal welfare programmes
- supplier code of conduct
- KPI frameworks
- category performance management
- risk management
- stakeholder management
- SKU rationalisation
- business continuity planning
- cross-functional collaboration
How to position yourself
The language that lands with hiring managers in this kind of role.
Position your interest around supply resilience, supplier performance governance and ESG risk management, since the advert frames responsible sourcing and animal welfare programmes as part of a broader commercial and compliance agenda rather than a standalone initiative. Emphasise commercial acumen, KPI-driven supplier management and category strategy experience, and be ready to speak to protein sourcing and supplier code of conduct programmes specifically, since these are named in the role. Building or citing familiarity with ethical-audit frameworks and procurement vocabulary (e.g. CIPS) will strengthen your positioning even though the advert treats protein-specific experience as advantageous rather than essential.
Applications are handled entirely by the employer — this board links you to their original posting and doesn't collect your details.