food service industry-Procurement Specialist

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.