At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape a smarter ingredient supply network in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join Sofina Foods, a leader in quality meats and seafood products.
- Benefits: Gain exposure across multiple categories, with opportunities for career growth and development.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture focused on innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while building strong supplier relationships and driving efficiency.
- Qualifications: Experience in purchasing or procurement within FMCG or food manufacturing is preferred.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Help shape a smarter, more efficient ingredient supply network across a fast-paced food manufacturing environment. The Ingredients Buyer will be responsible for supporting procurement activity across multiple ingredient categories, ensuring supply continuity, cost control, and strong supplier performance.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Managing purchasing activity across a diverse ingredient portfolio
- Supporting sourcing projects, RFQs, supplier benchmarking, and cost-saving initiatives
- Building strong day-to-day relationships with suppliers across multiple categories
- Monitoring supplier performance against cost, quality, service, and compliance measures
- Supporting supplier onboarding and resolving supplier performance issues where required
- Working cross-functionally with sites to align specifications, pricing, and supplier usage
- Maintaining accurate procurement, pricing, and supplier data within ERP systems
- Supporting spend analysis, reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives
- Ensuring ingredients meet required specifications, certifications, and legal standards
- Collaborating with Quality and Technical teams to support compliance and audit readiness
Our new Ingredients Buyer will play a key role in supporting procurement activity across a broad range of ingredient categories within a multi-site manufacturing operation. Working closely with suppliers and internal stakeholders, you’ll help ensure consistent supply, strong commercial performance, and compliance across all purchasing activity.
This role is ideal for someone with purchasing or procurement experience within FMCG or food manufacturing who enjoys balancing supplier relationships, cost management, data analysis, and operational support in a fast-moving environment. This role can be based in either our Malton or Grimsby offices.
Sofina Foods isn't just a food company - It’s a place to build your future. With a team of over 13,000 people across 40 sites in Canada and Europe, we're passionate about delivering quality meats and seafood products to consumers around the world. Join a company where innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction drive everything we do. At Sofina, you’ll grow your skills, make a real impact, and work with responsibly sourced products from more than 50 protein sources across five continents.
Our vision is bold: to be the most successful food company in the world. If you’re looking for a rewarding career in the food industry, there’s a place for you at Sofina Foods. This is an opportunity to join a collaborative procurement team within a large and fast-paced food manufacturing business where you can gain exposure across multiple ingredient categories and sites. You’ll have the chance to build supplier relationships, contribute to cost and efficiency improvements, and develop your procurement career within a business that values continuous improvement, operational excellence, and cross-functional collaboration.
Ingredients Buyer employer: Sofina Foods
Sofina Foods in Grimsby is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work environment where hygiene operatives can thrive. With competitive rates, comprehensive benefits such as life insurance and a company pension, and a commitment to employee growth, you will find meaningful and rewarding employment here. Join a team that values high standards and prioritises your well-being while working in a vital role within the food industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Ingredients Buyer
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Sofina Foods.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Ingredients Buyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Sofina Foods:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Sofina Foods. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Sofina Foods.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sofina Foods
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Sofina Foods!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Sofina Foods. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Sofina Foods's culture.
