Purchasing Manager

Sodexo Careers•Menlo Park, CA

About The Position

The Purchasing Manager is a critical operational leader responsible for end‑to‑end procurement of food, beverage, and supply categories across a high‑volume, innovation‑driven corporate dining environment. This role ensures purchasing accuracy, cost stewardship, vendor compliance, and seamless coordination between culinary teams, operations, and suppliers. You will serve as the central point of control for ordering, inventory, and product flow—driving operational efficiency, financial performance, and exceptional service delivery. This position is ideal for a detail‑driven professional who excels in systems, analytics, vendor management, and cross‑functional communication within a fast‑paced, unionized environment.

Requirements

Food & beverage procurement expertise — Proven experience purchasing across categories including produce, meat, seafood, dairy, dry goods, and supplies.
High-volume operations experience — Background in large-scale, multi-unit, or unionized food service environments with complex operational demands.
Systems and analytical strength — Skilled in ordering platforms, forecasting, financial analysis, and data-driven decision-making.
Vendor and contract management — Ability to evaluate suppliers, negotiate pricing, and ensure contract and category compliance.
Cross-functional collaboration — Success partnering with culinary, operations, finance, and supply chain teams to support accurate forecasting and efficient invoice processing.
Leadership and team development — Experience coaching staff, improving processes, and elevating purchasing performance in fast-paced environments.
Associate's Degree or equivalent experience
3 years of functional experience

Responsibilities

Lead procurement operations — Manage end‑to‑end purchasing for food, beverage, and MRO categories, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and alignment with menu and operational needs.
Drive cost stewardship — Implement cost‑effective purchasing strategies, monitor spend and ensure adherence to approved vendors and category standards.
Manage vendor performance — Oversee supplier relationships, negotiate pricing, resolve issues, and ensure consistent product quality and delivery reliability.
Oversee inventory and product flow — Maintain accurate inventory levels, support forecasting, and ensure timely ordering to meet production schedules and seasonally driven menus.
Analyze procurement and financial data — Review purchasing trends, compliance metrics, and financial reports to identify savings opportunities and operational improvements.
Ensure food safety compliance — Verify that all products meet HACCP, FDA, and internal food safety standards; support traceability, product specifications, and regulatory adherence.