Category Buyer – Food, Helsinki

Sodexo Oy; Helsinki; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work env

Annual bonus

Training programs

Healthcare access

Career growth

Job summary

Sodexo Oy is seeking a commercially driven Category Buyer – Food to join the Supply Management team in Finland. You will shape sourcing strategy, develop supplier partnerships, and drive cost efficiencies while ensuring quality and continuity.

The role reports to the Head of Supply Management, Finland, and collaborates with global/regional teams. It offers a permanent full-time position with a 37.5-hour week and a negotiable salary based on experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in business, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Economics, Food Sciences, or related field.
• Proven experience (4-5 years) in strategic sourcing, category management, or procurement.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Strong presentation skills, both spoken and written.
• Strong personal drive and initiative, thoroughness and comprehensibility.
• Demonstrated negotiation skills and experience managing supplier contracts.
• Strong analytical and commercial acumen with the ability to make data-driven decisions.
• Fluency in Finnish and English, both written and spoken.
• Advanced IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications (especially Excel and PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

• Manage assigned food categories and develop category strategies that support business objectives.
• Lead strategic sourcing projects, including supplier selection, tendering, negotiations, and contract management.
• Drive cost savings, efficiency improvements, and commercial competitiveness while ensuring quality and supply continuity.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and key internal stakeholders.
• Develop strategic supplier partnerships that foster innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement.
• Monitor market trends, supplier performance, and category developments to identify risks and opportunities.
• Ensure successful supplier implementation, contract compliance, and value realization across the organization.
• Collaborate with global procurement teams and support business development projects with category expertise and commercial insights.
• Maintain procurement data, contracts, reporting, and relevant administrative processes.

Skills

Project management

Negotiation skills

Presentation skills

Analytical thinking

Data-driven decisions

Commercial acumen

Finnish language

English language

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in business, SCM, Procurement, Economics, Food Sciences, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

As our business continues to grow, so does the importance of strategic procurement. We are looking for a commercially driven Category Buyer – Food to join our Supply Management team and play a key role in shaping our sourcing strategy, developing strong supplier partnerships, and driving sustainable business value. In this role, you will combine market insight, strong commercial understanding, and stakeholder collaboration to deliver cost efficiencies and support business growth.

You report to the Head of Supply Management, Finland, and cooperate with the global/regional supply management teams.

Join Sodexo and be part of something greater! You belong in a team where you can act with purpose and thrive in your own way.

Your main responsibilities

• Manage assigned food categories and develop category strategies that support business objectives.
• Lead strategic sourcing projects, including supplier selection, tendering, negotiations, and contract management.
• Drive cost savings, efficiency improvements, and commercial competitiveness while ensuring quality and supply continuity.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and key internal stakeholders.
• Develop strategic supplier partnerships that foster innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement.
• Monitor market trends, supplier performance, and category developments to identify risks and opportunities.
• Ensure successful supplier implementation, contract compliance, and value realization across the organization.
• Collaborate with global procurement teams and support business development projects with category expertise and commercial insights.
• Maintain procurement data, contracts, reporting, and relevant administrative processes.

To succeed in this role, you need

• Bachelor’s or masters degree in business, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Economics, Food Sciences, or a related field.
• Proven experience (4-5 years) in strategic sourcing, category management, or procurement.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Strong presentation skills, both spoken and written
• Strong personal drive and initiative, thoroughness and comprehensibility
• Demonstrated negotiation skills and experience managing supplier contracts.
• Strong analytical and commercial acumen with the ability to make data-driven decisions.
• Fluency in Finnish and English, both written and spoken.
• Advanced IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications (especially Excel and PowerPoint).

In this role, you will succeed if you bring solid experience preferably from the food industry and a strong track record in strategic sourcing, supplier management, and contract negotiations. You have a commercial mindset, understand market dynamics, and can identify opportunities that create value for the business.

What we offer

Working with Sodexo is more than a job; its a chance to be part of something greater. Youll belong to a company and team that values you for you; youll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and youll be able to thrive in your own way.

• Flexible and dynamic work environment
• Competitive compensation
• Access to ongoing training and development programs
• Countless opportunities to grow within the company
• Access to occupational healthcare services 24/7
• Annual bonus scheme

This is a permanent full-time position, with a work schedule of 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Salary is negotiable based on experience and expertise. The preferred start date is December 2026

About Sodexo

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 43 countries, serving over 80 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services.

Osaamisalue: Myynti & hankinta