Key Responsibilities
1. Sourcing & Supplier Management
- Vendor Selection: Research and evaluate potential suppliers for food quality, reliability, and competitive pricing.
- Relationship Building: Maintain strong partnerships with farmers, distributors, and manufacturers.
- Performance Reviews: Audit supplier compliance regarding delivery times, invoice accuracy, and product freshness.
2. Cost Control & Negotiation
- Price Negotiation: Secure optimal contract terms, bulk discounts, and credit lines with vendors.
- Market Tracking: Monitor seasonal price fluctuations and harvest trends to anticipate shifts in food costs.
- Budget Tracking: Analyze procurement expenses against monthly kitchen budgets to maximize profitability.
3. Inventory & Order Management
- Order Processing: Generate and approve Purchase Orders (POs) based on daily stock levels and chef requests.
- Supply Chain Alignment: Coordinate with logistics teams to ensure ingredients arrive fresh and on schedule.
- Discrepancy Resolution: Resolve issues regarding late deliveries, damaged items, or incorrect quantities immediately.
4. Quality Assurance & Supply Chain Resilience
- Quality Auditing: Perform regular inspections on supplier goods to ensure strict food safety and freshness compliance.
- Alternative Mapping: Establish backup supplier channels for high-risk, volatile core ingredients to prevent menu shortages.
- Certifications Management: Verify vendor compliance regarding required dietary certifications (e.g., Organic, Halal, Allergen-free).
5. Research & Development (R&D) Innovation
- Trend Scouting: Monitor global and local food trends to identify unique flavors, ingredients, and novel concepts.
- Ingredient Optimization: Conduct continuous Value Engineering by finding higher-yield, cost-effective substitute ingredients.
- Recipe Collaboration: Work alongside the Chef to test new raw materials and refine menu formulations.
- Shelf-Life Improvement: Research alternative packaging and storage techniques to extend shelf life and minimize waste.
Performance Metrics (KPIs)
- Food Cost Reduction: Target percentage savings achieved through value engineering and strategic vendor negotiation.
- R&D Pipeline Speed: Time taken to successfully source, test, and implement a new ingredient or menu concept.
- Kitchen Prep Time: Reduction in store-level food preparation times through clever R&D sourcing.
- Supplier Accuracy: Delivery fulfillment rates, freshness scores, and invoice compliance percentages.
- Waste Minimization: Percentage reduction in raw material kitchen waste due to improved ingredient yields or shelf-life extensions.
Job Requirements & Qualifications
- Education: Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Business Administration, or a related hospitality field.
- Experience: Minimum 3-5 years of experience in F&B procurement, kitchen operations, or corporate R&D roles.
- Technical Skills: Proficiency in Inventory Management/ERP software and advanced Microsoft Excel (data sorting and cost analytics).
- Soft Skills: Superior negotiation, time management, and communication abilities to handle fast-paced kitchen emergencies.
- Core Competencies: Strong commercial negotiation skills combined with a deep understanding of food flavor profiles and kitchen yield mechanics.
