Food Buyer

Food Buyer
Reports To: Food & Drink Director
Salary: Up to £55,000/annum
Location: Chiswick, London, W4 3NN
Job Purpose:
Responsible for strategic sourcing of all food products, negotiating favourable commercial terms with suppliers, managing and optimising the food ingredient range, and delivering exceptional service to our pubs and hotels through the selection and management of a reliable and high performing supply base
Key Accountabilities:
Evaluate and establish relationships with food and coffee suppliers, ensuring a reliable, high performing supply base.
Negotiate favourable terms, prices, and contracts to optimise profitability without compromising on quality.
Source ingredients to meet the needs of our pubs and hotels, considering factors such as cost, quality, logistics and sustainability, whilst also managing and optimising the overall ingredient catalogue size.
Collaborate with Executive Development Chefs and the Operations team to understand specific ingredient/ supplier requirements.
Stay abreast of industry trends, market conditions, and emerging products to keep our menu offerings current and competitive.
Collaborate with suppliers to maintain open communication and pro-actively work with them to address any issues that may arise.
Work closely with internal teams to address quality issues promptly and efficiently
Keep informed about food safety regulations and compliance standards
Proactively manage pricing to control cost inflation in line with agreed targets, creating alternative solutions where required.
Measure & monitor supplier performance regarding service and quality, conducting regular supplier reviews with key suppliers.
Oversee and maintain accurate records of pricing, rebates, contracts, and other relevant supplier and product information.
Communicate accurate relevant product and supplier data to the Procurement Administrator and the F&B team.
Key Strengths for the Role:
Negotiation, influencing and relationship-building skills
Excellent oral and written communication
Detail-orientated and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including Executive Development Chefs, Marketing, Finance and Operations
Proactive and resourceful
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Ability to adapt to changing market trends and make informed sourcing decisions
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
Required Experience, Training and Qualifications:
Minimum 4 years’ experience as a Food Buyer or in a similar procurement role within the food and beverage industry for a multi-site operator
CIPS qualification advantageous – sponsorship provided if required
Experience in hospitality beneficial but not essential
In-depth knowledge of food products, suppliers, and market trends