Job Description
We are seeking a Procurement Specialist with 3-5 years of experience in the catering and food service industry. The ideal candidate will be responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and managing supplier contracts to ensure the timely and cost-effective procurement of food ingredients, kitchen equipment, and operational supplies. This role demands strong supplier relationship management, cost control, and compliance with food safety regulations.
Skills
- Procurement & Supplier Management:
- Source, evaluate, and negotiate with food suppliers, equipment vendors, and service providers to ensure the best pricing, quality, and delivery terms.
- Develop and maintain strategic relationships with suppliers to ensure reliable supply chain operations.
- Monitor supplier performance based on cost, quality, delivery reliability, and compliance.
- Manage vendor contracts, tenders, and purchasing agreements to align with company budgets and goals.
- Implement cost-saving initiatives without compromising quality.
- Inventory & Cost Control:
- Maintain optimum inventory levels for food ingredients, beverages, and kitchen supplies.
- Work with the kitchen and finance teams to monitor and control procurement costs, ensuring cost-efficiency.
- Track food and raw material price fluctuations to make data-driven purchasing decisions.
- Reduce food waste and stock losses by improving inventory turnover rates.
- Identify alternative suppliers in case of supply chain disruptions.
- Compliance & Quality Assurance:
- Ensure all purchased food products meet HACCP, ISO 22000, and local food safety standards.
- Conduct regular supplier audits to ensure compliance with safety, quality, and ethical sourcing standards.
- Collaborate with the quality control and operations teams to align procurement with company food safety policies.
- Maintain proper documentation of procurement transactions, including purchase orders, invoices, and contracts.
- Logistics & Supply Chain Optimization:
- Work closely with warehouse and logistics teams to ensure on-time delivery and minimize supply chain disruptions.
- Optimize procurement lead times by implementing just-in-time (JIT) purchasing strategies.
Negotiate bulk purchasing and long-term contracts to maximize cost savings.
- Experience:
- 3-5 years of experience in procurement or supply chain management, preferably in catering, restaurants, or food production.
- Education & Certifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Must hold CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply), CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management), or equivalent certification.
- Skills & Competencies:
- Strong negotiation skills to secure competitive supplier contracts.
- Experience with ERP and procurement software (SAP, Oracle, or similar).
- Knowledge of food safety standards, HACCP, and ISO regulations.
- Ability to analyze procurement trends and optimize purchasing decisions.
- Strong attention to detail and financial acumen to manage budgets and cost control.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in high-volume catering operations or central kitchens.
- Knowledge of import/export regulations related to food procurement.
- Experience working with multi-location supply chains
