At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sustainable seafood sourcing and build strong supplier partnerships.
- Company: Join Sofina Foods, a leader in sustainable seafood procurement.
- Benefits: Collaborative environment with opportunities for impact and growth.
- Other info: Work with diverse teams and engage in global supplier networks.
- Why this job: Shape the future of seafood sourcing while driving innovation and sustainability.
- Qualifications: Experience in seafood procurement and strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Shape the future of sustainable seafood sourcing across an international supply network.
The Role
Our new Seafood Buyer will lead the sourcing strategy for speciality seafood and aquaculture categories across multiple manufacturing sites, ensuring high-quality, commercially competitive, and responsibly sourced raw materials that support both operational performance and customer expectations. Working closely with Commercial, NPD, Supply Chain, Marketing, CSR and Business Performance teams, you will build strong supplier partnerships, drive category innovation, manage commercial negotiations, and ensure continuity of supply across a fast-moving international seafood market. This role would suit an experienced Seafood Buyer, Category Buyer, Procurement Manager or Senior Buyer with knowledge of seafood, aquaculture, commodity purchasing, or complex food manufacturing supply chains.
Your Key Responsibilities
- Owning and becoming the category expert for allocated seafood raw materials
- Developing sourcing and supplier strategies aligned to business and customer requirements
- Building strong supplier partnerships to support quality, innovation, and competitive advantage
- Leading commercial negotiations, benchmarking activity, and cost control initiatives
- Driving improvements in working capital through stock optimisation and supplier payment terms
- Managing supply continuity, contractual agreements, and category risk controls
- Supporting CSR, sustainability, and retailer engagement activities across seafood categories
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams on innovation, NPD, and continuous improvement projects
- Representing the business within retailer sustainability forums and wider industry groups
- Identifying opportunities for category development and raw material innovation
The Ideal Candidate
You will be a commercially focused procurement professional with strong relationship management skills and the confidence to operate across international supply markets.
You Will Also Bring
- Experience within seafood, food manufacturing, FMCG, or commodity procurement
- Strong negotiation and supplier management capability
- The ability to manage multiple stakeholders across operational and commercial functions
- Experience developing sourcing strategies and delivering cost improvement initiatives
- Strong analytical and commercial decision-making skills
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Confidence working independently and managing international supplier relationships
- A proactive and organised approach with strong attention to detail
- Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience
- CIPS qualification (or working towards) would be advantageous
Why Sofina Foods?
This is an opportunity to play a key role within a highly strategic procurement function, influencing sourcing decisions across international seafood supply chains and helping shape the future of sustainable seafood procurement. You’ll work closely with a broad range of internal teams and external partners, giving you exposure to retailer engagement, category innovation, sustainability initiatives, and global supplier networks. In return, you’ll join a collaborative and commercially focused environment where your expertise, ideas, and contribution will have genuine impact across the wider business.
Equal Opportunities
Sofina Foods is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.
Location: Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire
Hours of Work: Full-time
Company: Sofina Foods
Country Code: GB
Buyer in Grimsby employer: Sofina Foods Europe
Sofina Foods is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and collaborative work environment in Grimsby, where you can significantly influence sustainable seafood sourcing on an international scale. With a strong commitment to employee growth, you will have the opportunity to develop your expertise while working closely with cross-functional teams and global suppliers, ensuring that your contributions drive meaningful change in the industry. Join us to be part of a diverse and inclusive workplace that values your ideas and fosters innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer in Grimsby
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend seafood expos, and join relevant online forums. The more people you know in the seafood and procurement world, the better your chances of landing that Buyer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! Prepare to discuss your knowledge of seafood sourcing and aquaculture during interviews. Bring examples of past successes in negotiations or supplier management to the table – it’ll make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out directly to companies you admire, like Sofina Foods, and express your interest in potential opportunities. You never know what might come up!
✨Tip Number 4
Keep your skills sharp! Stay updated on trends in sustainable seafood and procurement strategies. Consider taking a course or attending workshops to enhance your knowledge – it shows commitment and can give you an edge in interviews.
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer in Grimsby
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Seafood Buyer role. Highlight your experience in seafood sourcing, procurement, and any relevant achievements that showcase your skills in negotiation and supplier management.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about sustainable seafood sourcing and how your background aligns with our mission at StudySmarter. Keep it engaging and personal!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use specific examples from your past roles that illustrate your analytical abilities, relationship management, and successful negotiations. We want to see how you can bring value to our team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sofina Foods Europe
✨Know Your Seafood
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of seafood sourcing and aquaculture. Familiarise yourself with current trends, sustainability practices, and key suppliers in the industry. This will not only show your passion but also demonstrate that you're serious about the role.
✨Master the Art of Negotiation
Since this role involves leading commercial negotiations, be prepared to discuss your negotiation strategies and past successes. Think of specific examples where you've achieved cost improvements or built strong supplier relationships, as these will highlight your capabilities.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Be ready to talk about how you've used data to make informed decisions in previous roles. Whether it's managing stock optimisation or analysing supplier performance, having concrete examples will help you stand out as a candidate who can drive category innovation.
✨Engage with Cross-Functional Teams
This position requires collaboration with various teams, so be prepared to discuss how you've worked with different departments in the past. Highlight any experiences where you’ve successfully driven projects involving marketing, CSR, or NPD, as this will show your ability to work in a team-oriented environment.
