Strategic Food Category Buyer: Sourcing & Growth

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

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.