Buyer

Sofina Foods Europe; Grimsby; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Sofina Foods is seeking an experienced Seafood Buyer to shape sourcing strategy for seafood and aquaculture across multiple sites. You will secure high-quality, competitively priced, and responsibly sourced raw materials to support operations and customer expectations.

In this role, you will collaborate with Commercial, NPD, Supply Chain, Marketing, CSR, and Business Performance teams to build supplier partnerships and drive category innovation, while leading negotiations and ensuring supply

Qualifications

• Experience in seafood, food manufacturing, FMCG, or commodity procurement.
• Strong negotiation and supplier management capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders across operational and commercial functions.
• Experience developing sourcing strategies and delivering cost improvements.
• Strong analytical and commercial decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Confidence working independently and managing international supplier relationships.
• Proactive and organized approach with attention to detail.
• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience.
• CIPS qualification (or working towards) would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Develop sourcing strategies and category plans for seafood materials.
• Manage supplier performance and continuity of supply across sites.
• Lead commercial negotiations and benchmarking activities.
• Drive working capital improvements through stock optimization and terms.
• Collaborate with CSR, sustainability, and retailer engagement teams.
• Partner with Commercial, NPD, Supply Chain, Marketing, and performance teams.
• Build and maintain strong supplier partnerships for quality and innovation.
• Identify opportunities for category development and material innovation.
• Represent the business in retailer sustainability forums and industry groups.

Skills

Negotiation

Supplier management

Stakeholder management

Strategic sourcing

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Degree-level qualification

CIPS qualification (advantageous)

Job description

Summary

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

The Seafood Buyer will be responsible for developing sourcing strategies, managing supplier performance, and supporting long-term category growth across the business, including:

• 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.

Company Information

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.

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.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences - regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Location

Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire

Hours of Work

Full-time

Company

Sofina Foods

Country Code

GB