Strategic Ingredient Trader — Market Insights

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

Apply for Ingredient Trader

Eager to work with us? Then apply quickly using the form below

Your first name and surname

Your e-mail address

Your phone number

Your hometown

Experience

Limited experience

At least 2 years of experience

At least 5 years of experience

An employee of Poppies Bakeries

Indeed

Jobat

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

TikTok

The newspaper

Poster

Flyer

Job fair

Car sticker

VDAB

Other

Motivate here why you would like to work with us.

I have been working at Poppies Bakeries for 13 years in Product Development, where I focus on developing and improving new and existing products, both on a laboratory scale and at production level. What I really enjoy about working here is the pleasant atmosphere and the great colleagues. My job is very varied and gives me the opportunity to collaborate with different departments and production sites, which makes the work even more interesting. The wide range of products we work on also keeps things exciting. What makes Poppies unique as an employer is that it is a large international company while still maintaining a strong family spirit. I remember how quickly you are welcomed into the ‘Poppies family’ – although my first