Procurement Category Buyer - Flour

Solina · Biggleswade

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At Solina, our community of close to 5,000 people share a passion for food and live our entrepreneurial culture.

We design customised savoury solutions for our clients operating in the food industry, food service, butchery and nutrition markets. With sustainability at the heart of our business model, we aim to produce food that is good in every sense of the word: delicious, nourishing, affordable, sustainable and convenient.

Solina is a fast-growing business, with around 50 production sites and R&D laboratories present in more than 19 countries mainly in Europe and North America.

By constantly rethinking culinary solutions, we make food matter for people and the planet.

If you're ready for a new adventure in a dynamic, expanding, passionate, international company, join us !

Location: Biggleswade, United Kingdom
Working model: Hybrid, with up to two days of home working per week where responsibilities allow
Travel: Regular travel within the UK and internationally, mainly across Europe
Reporting to: Global Procurement Category Manager – Flours, Starches & Fibres

We are looking for a  Procurement Category Buyer – Flour to join our Sourcing and Procurement team.

The role has two closely connected dimensions. A major part of your role will be acting as a procurement business partner regarding flours for Solina Coatings UK, helping the business meet its customer commitments, manage operational requirements and support future growth.

Alongside this, you will take responsibility for the Flour category across Solina. Reporting to the Global Procurement Category Manager, you will manage sourcing activities, suppliers, market information, risks and budgets within the wider Flours, Starches and Fibres portfolio, which represents more than €120 million in annual spend across our European sites.

Business partnership with Solina Coatings UK

Solina Coatings UK represents a significant part of the Group’s flour requirements. You will become an integrated member of its cross-functional team and translate business requirements into practical procurement actions and results.

You will:

• Develop a strong understanding of customer commitments, business priorities and growth plans.
• Work closely with Supply Chain on volumes, availability, supply constraints and operational challenges; participate in relevant S&OP and business meetings to stay aligned on demand changes, launches and priorities.
• Coordinate with the Solina Coatings UK Procurement Manager on specifications, pipeline projects and new supplier opportunities.
• Support customer projects, reformulations, crop changeovers and harvest transitions. Partner with NPD on recipe changes, innovation projects and future raw-material requirements.

Flour buying and category management

In parallel, you will manage the Flour category across Solina, supporting the wider category approach led by the Category Manager.

You will:

• Manage Flour requirements, including volumes, specifications, pricing and budget information.
• Build a strong understanding of flour and commodity markets, including harvests, countries of origin, price developments and new sourcing opportunities.
• Prepare and conduct RFQs and negotiations and coordinate the implementation of supplier agreements across the regions.
• Maintain strong relationships with key suppliers and identify opportunities to expand or strengthen the supplier base.
• Support decisions on when and how much volume to fix, based on market developments and business requirements.
• Reduce supply risks through contingency planning, alternative sourcing and dual-supply solutions.
• Take ownership of delivering measurable savings, cost avoidance and value optimisation, while ensuring accurate forecasting for the Flour category
• Provide relevant market updates and support supplier quality, audits and sustainability requirements.

What are we looking for?

You bring:

• A relevant procurement qualification or equivalent experience in sourcing, contracting and supplier management.
• 5 years of procurement experience working in a multi-site or international environment.
• Strong negotiation, commercial and analytical skills.
• The ability to understand the financial impact of commodity movements and procurement decisions.
• Knowledge of international supply, Incoterms and tariff codes.
• Proficient Excel skills.
• Experience working with cross-functional stakeholders in a matrix organization.
• English proficiency at C1 level or above, both spoken and written.
• The flexibility to travel regularly, mainly within Europe.

 You are:

• Customer-focused and commercially minded.
• Hands-on, proactive and solutions-focused.
• Able to build strong relationships across Procurement, Supply Chain, NPD and other functions.
• Comfortable using data and market information to make recommendations.
• Well organised and able to manage changing priorities independently.
• Resilient and comfortable working in a fast-moving commodity environment.

Why join us?

This is a varied international buyer role that combines close involvement in the day-to-day business of Solina Coatings UK with broader procurement responsibility for Flour across Solina.

Your work will have a direct impact on customer commitments, supply continuity, supplier performance, costs and business growth.

We are open to talents of all backgrounds. Our recruitment process is based on competences, and we openly welcome all candidates of all types according to our DEI Commitment

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