Ingredient Trader

As an Ingredient Trader, you are responsible for the strategic purchasing of ingredients for our 12 production sites across Europe. Within a clearly defined framework of risk limits, you take positions, manage operational margins and ensure security of supply. You combine market analysis, commercial negotiations and risk management to optimize the P&L.

You are the market expert for your ingredient categories and a valued sparring partner for sales, supply chain, finance and R&D. Together with the Group Procurement Manager, you define the purchasing strategy and translate market insights into concrete actions.

In practice, this means:

• You actively monitor raw material markets and analyze price developments, trends and cost drivers
• You identify purchasing opportunities and determine the right timing for purchases
• You strategically manage your ingredient portfolio and roll out purchasing strategies per category
• You manage pricing and supply risks, including hedging and other price-fixing methods
• You negotiate prices, volumes and contract conditions with (international) suppliers
• You build and maintain a strong international supplier network
• You perform risk analyses within the inbound supply chain (quality, security of supply, ecological, social and ethical aspects)
• You collaborate closely with sales, supply chain and finance teams on forecasting and margins
• You are actively involved in product development and innovation projects
• You initiate and lead improvement projects to reduce total costs (processes, value chain, tools)
• You report purchasing results to the procurement board (CEO, CFO, COO)
• You search for, evaluate and implement AI procurement tools
• You provide functional guidance to the purchasing assistant
• You act as the back-up for your fellow Ingredient Trader

This is what we expect from you:

You are an analytical and commercial professional with strategic insight and strong relationship-building skills.

Your background:

• Master’s degree or equivalent through experience
• Background in economics (e.g. Commercial Engineer) or biosciences (e.g. Bio-engineer)
• Minimum 5 years of experience in commodity trading and/or procurement within a production environment
• Experience in the food industry is a strong asset
• Fluent in Dutch, French and English

Your strengths:

• Strong interest in macroeconomics, commodity markets and geopolitics
• Experience with hedging and price/volume fixing
• Solid understanding of supply chain, value chain and cost drivers
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to translate complex information clearly
• Proactive, results-driven and stress-resistant
• Team player with leadership skills in cross-functional collaboration
• Strong awareness of sustainability, ethical sourcing and quality standards (HACCP, certifications)
• Driven by improvement, innovation and renewal

This is what you get in return:

• A strategic and impactful role within a fast-growing international food group
• A high level of autonomy and the opportunity to fully leverage your expertise
• Close collaboration with top management
• A professional, no-nonsense culture with short decision-making lines
• A competitive salary package with attractive extra-legal benefits
• Every day, you contribute to The Sweet Adventure so people all over the world can enjoy our delicious products