Manager, Food Safety & Quality
KFC Thailand
Head of Direct Category Procurement
About this role
Yum! UK & I Europe is a part of One Yum! Supply Chain Centre of Excellence (COE), set up to support KFC and Taco Bell with one supply chain, one purpose and one bold goal: unmatched profitability for every restaurant. The COE works horizontally across brands, markets, functions, franchisees and suppliers to deliver safe, reliable and sustainable supply; improve restaurant paybacks; accelerate growth; and power brand strategies through world-class category management, supplier partnerships, data, governance and innovation execution.
Role purpose
Lead the Direct category agenda, building multi-year category strategies that deliver value, quality, food safety, resilience, sustainability and innovation for KFC and Taco Bell restaurants.
Shape the food and packaging supply base behind two of the world's most loved restaurant brands. This is a senior leadership role with the mandate to make direct procurement a growth engine - creating customer-loved products, stronger franchise economics and a resilient supplier ecosystem across Europe.
You will lead the Direct category organisation across food, packaging and critical menu inputs, acting as the strategic lead between brand teams, FSQA, innovation, operations, finance, franchisees and suppliers.
What you will do
Set the 5-year Direct procurement strategy and translate it into category roadmaps, sourcing plans, value creation pipelines and risk mitigation plans.
Lead and coach a high-performing team of category leads, creating clarity, pace and capability.
Work horizontally across Marketing, Food Innovation, FSQA, Operations, Finance, Sustainability, market teams, franchisees and Global Supply Chain to ensure category strategies serve restaurant needs.
Use supplier briefs, supplier events and executive supplier forums to unlock innovation, capacity, cost competitiveness and speed to market.
Own senior strategic supplier relationships, negotiation guardrails, commercial governance and long-term pricing mechanisms across critical categories.
Ensure food safety, quality, responsible sourcing, sustainability and business continuity guardrails are embedded in all category strategies and supplier decisions.
Drive value engineering and portfolio optimisation while protecting brand standards and customer experience.
What success looks like
Improved restaurant economics through validated savings, cost avoidance, payback improvement and total cost optimisation.
Reliable execution for KFC and Taco Bell markets, with stronger supplier performance, fewer disruptions and clear issue ownership.
Category strategies that are understood by brands, functions, franchisees and suppliers, and translated into practical delivery plans.
A supplier ecosystem that brings innovation, resilience, quality, food safety, sustainability and competitive advantage to the business.
What you will bring
10+ years' experience in procurement, supply chain or category leadership, ideally in QSR, foodservice, FMCG, retail or a multi-market consumer environment.
Proven success leading direct food, packaging or ingredient categories at regional or enterprise scale.
Strong knowledge of supplier relationship management, strategic sourcing, cost modelling, commodity exposure, negotiation and value creation.
Credibility with senior stakeholders and the ability to influence across brands, markets, functions, franchisees and suppliers without relying on hierarchy.
Understanding of food safety, quality, sustainability and supply resilience requirements in a consumer-facing food business.
Experience leading teams, building capability and turning a strategy into measurable outcomes.
Commercially sharp, externally curious and comfortable challenging established thinking with data, judgement and pace.
How you will work
Strategic and hands-on; able to move from senior stakeholder debate to practical execution.
A relationship builder who can bring suppliers, franchisees and functions around a common agenda.
Comfortable with ambiguity, pace and a matrix environment where influence matters as much as authority.
Working pattern
Hybrid role based from Woking, with European market, restaurant and supplier travel as required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the salary disclosed for the Head of Direct Category Procurement position at KFC Thailand?
The salary for this Head of Direct Category Procurement role at KFC Thailand is not publicly listed. Click "Apply Now" to learn more about the compensation package on their official careers page.
Where is the Head of Direct Category Procurement position at KFC Thailand located?
This Head of Direct Category Procurement role at KFC Thailand is based in Woking, Surrey, United Kingdom. The position is listed as on-site or hybrid. Check the full job description or apply directly to confirm the work arrangement.
Is the Head of Direct Category Procurement role at KFC Thailand full-time or part-time?
This is listed as a Full time position. It is posted as a Head of Direct Category Procurement role at KFC Thailand.
How do I apply for the Head of Direct Category Procurement position at KFC Thailand?
Click the "Apply Now" button on this page. You will be redirected to KFC Thailand's official application portal hosted on oraclecloud where you can submit your application directly.
When was the Head of Direct Category Procurement job at KFC Thailand posted?
This Head of Direct Category Procurement position at KFC Thailand was posted on Aug 10, 2026. Apply as soon as possible — early applications are often reviewed first.
Head of Direct Category Procurement
KFC Thailand
You'll be redirected to KFC Thailand's official application page on oraclecloud.