Procurement Manager - Hospitality / Restaurant Group

Introduction Our client is seeking an experienced Procurement Manager to oversee procurement strategies, supplier relationships, purchasing processes and cost control across its South African operations. The successful candidate will be responsible for sourcing reliable suppliers, negotiating favourable commercial terms and ensuring the consistent availability of quality products at competitive prices. Working closely with Operations, Finance, Culinary, Supply Chain and Systems teams, the Procurement Manager will ensure that procurement activities support restaurant operations, new openings and the group’s continued growth. Job Description Key Responsibilities Procurement Strategy • Develop and implement cost-effective procurement strategies aligned with business objectives. • Translate operational requirements into practical sourcing and purchasing plans. • Identify opportunities to improve procurement efficiency and reduce costs. • Support procurement planning for existing restaurant operations and new openings. • Ensure procurement practices support the group’s quality and brand standards. • Regularly assess and improve procurement processes. Supplier Sourcing and Relationship Management • Research, identify and appoint reliable suppliers. • Evaluate suppliers according to quality, pricing, reliability, service and capacity. • Negotiate favourable pricing, payment terms, service levels and contractual conditions. • Build and maintain strong, long-term supplier relationships. • Establish a diverse and dependable supplier base. • Conduct regular supplier reviews and performance discussions. • Resolve supplier-performance concerns and implement corrective actions. • Identify alternative suppliers to strengthen continuity of supply. Purchasing and Order Management • Oversee purchase orders and ensure the timely delivery of goods and services. • Monitor outstanding orders, delivery schedules and supplier commitments. • Coordinate with internal departments to support the efficient flow of goods. • Ensure purchased products meet approved specifications and operational requirements. • Work closely with restaurant, culinary and operational teams to understand purchasing needs. • Support urgent operational requirements while maintaining appropriate procurement controls. • Assist with sourcing and purchasing requirements for new restaurant openings. Cost Control and Budget Management • Manage procurement expenditure within approved budgets. • Identify and implement sustainable cost-saving opportunities. • Conduct regular product, supplier and market-price analyses. • Establish cost benchmarks and measure procurement performance against them. • Monitor supplier price increases and assess their commercial impact. • Negotiate pricing and terms without compromising product quality or availability. • Provide management with clear explanations of procurement costs and savings. • Work with Finance and Operations to improve resource utilisation. Supplier and Supply-Chain Risk Management • Conduct supplier and procurement risk assessments. • Identify risks that could interrupt the supply of critical products. • Develop alternative sourcing and contingency plans. • Monitor supplier capacity, reliability and financial or operational risk. • Escalate significant supply-chain concerns to management. • Maintain appropriate supplier documentation and contractual records. • Promote consistent and ethical procurement practices. Procurement Reporting and Performance Evaluation • Prepare detailed procurement reports for management. • Track supplier performance, procurement savings and operational efficiency. • Evaluate suppliers according to quality, price, reliability and technical support. • Monitor procurement trends and identify areas requiring intervention. • Maintain accurate purchasing, supplier and contract information. • Present findings and practical recommendations to management. • Measure whether procurement initiatives achieve the expected financial and operational outcomes. Quality and Brand Standards • Ensure all purchased products meet the group’s quality specifications. • Monitor the consistency and reliability of supplied products. • Work with Culinary and Operations teams to address product-quality concerns. • Ensure deliveries meet agreed service levels and timelines. • Investigate rejected, damaged, incorrect or inconsistent products. • Maintain procurement standards across restaurant locations and concepts. • Ensure suppliers understand and adhere to the group’s requirements. Inventory and Systems Collaboration • Work closely with the Systems team to support accurate and efficient procurement processes. • Assist with the integration of procurement and inventory-management procedures. • Identify system challenges affecting purchasing, stock availability or reporting. • Support approved system updates and process improvements. • Ensure procurement information remains accurate and current. • Promote consistency between purchasing records, deliveries and inventory data. Key Competencies • Strategic sourcing and procurement • Supplier relationship management • Contract and price negotiation • F&B and operational purchasing • Cost reduction and budget control • Supplier risk management • Purchase-order management • Supply-chain planning • Inventory-management knowledge • Quality assurance • Commercial awareness • Data analysis and reporting • Stakeholder management • Strong decision-making and problem-solving Minimum Requirements • Relevant diploma or degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Management or a related field. • Approximately 5–7 years’ procurement or supply-chain experience. • At least 2–3 years’ experience in a Procurement Manager or senior procurement position. • Previous experience within the hospitality, restaurant, food-service, FMCG or retail industry is highly advantageous. • Strong experience sourcing food, beverage, packaging, consumable and operational products. • Proven supplier sourcing, evaluation and relationship-management experience. • Demonstrated contract negotiation and commercial-management ability. • Sound knowledge of procurement budgets, cost analysis and savings initiatives. • Experience managing supplier risk and continuity of supply. • Knowledge of inventory management and purchase-order processes. • Strong analytical, reporting and problem-solving skills. • Advanced Microsoft Excel skills. • Experience working with procurement, inventory or enterprise-management systems. • Excellent negotiation, communication and stakeholder-management abilities. • Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality. • Valid driver’s licence and reliable transport are advantageous. Package & Remuneration 60000 - 65000 Monthly (ZAR)