Category Buyer - Grocery, Frozen, Non-Food

Northland Properties•Vancouver, BC

6d•CA$80,000 - CA$110,000•Onsite

About The Position

Northland Properties is seeking a Buyer to join their procurement team. This pivotal role is responsible for ensuring the consistent availability of food, as well as aspects of their non-food offering across their restaurant brands in Canada. This Buyer will play a key role in shaping their restaurant offerings by sourcing ingredients, optimizing supplier relationships, supporting menu innovation, as well as restaurant openings. The ideal candidate brings extensive industry experience, a deep understanding of foodservice and/or restaurant operations, and a strong network of trusted suppliers. They will work closely with culinary leadership, franchise partners, and operations teams to align purchasing strategies with brand standards and cost targets.

Requirements

Minimum 5 years of experience in culinary or foodservice procurement, preferably within hospitality or multi-unit operations.
Strong understanding of Restaurant and Foodservice operations.
Excellent communication, organizational, and analytical skills.
Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability to collaborate cross-functionally with culinary and operations.
Willingness to travel to supplier and restaurant locations as needed.
Must be legally entitled to work in Canada.

Nice To Haves

Culinary education or background is a strong asset.
In-depth knowledge of major broadline distribution management.
Familiarity with Power BI for data visualization and procurement analytics.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with the procurement and culinary teams to understand menu requirements and source ingredients accordingly.
Manage and negotiate contracts with suppliers to ensure cost-effectiveness, while maintaining quality standards.
Use a data driven approach to monitor market trends, availability, and emerging products to keep costs in line and enhance menu offerings.
Conduct regular audits and quality checks on incoming products from our suppliers/distributors to ensure they are meeting our specifications.
Work closely with logistics and distribution partners to streamline supply chain.
Issue RFPs and RFQs for major categories and sub-categories to identify opportunities and reduce cost.
Support new menu offerings by providing guidance on your category to our culinary team, operators, and franchisees.
Have a cross-functional attitude to collaborate with multiple departments to ensure alignment and make informed purchasing decisions.