Job Title: Food Purchasing Associate
Department: Southwest University Culinary Institute
Location: 6101 Montana Ave., El Paso, TX 79925
Position Type: Full-Time
Reports To: Culinary Institute Administrator
Job Summary: The Food Purchasing Associate at Southwest University Culinary Institute plays a pivotal role in ensuring the seamless operation of culinary classes and catering events. Responsible for managing the procurement of high-quality ingredients, this individual will collaborate with instructors, vendors, and internal stakeholders to maintain a consistent and diverse inventory.
Key Responsibilities:
Vendor Management:Identify, evaluate, and establish relationships with food vendors to ensure the availability of quality ingredients.
Negotiate pricing, terms, and delivery schedules with vendors to optimize cost-effectiveness.
Inventory Management:Maintain accurate and up-to-date inventory records of all food products.
Monitor stock levels and reorder supplies as needed to avoid shortages or overstock situations.
Implement efficient storage practices to maximize shelf life and minimize waste.
Order Processing:Process purchase orders and ensure timely and accurate delivery of ingredients.
Collaborate with culinary instructors to understand class requirements and plan purchases accordingly.
Quality Assurance:Conduct quality checks on delivered products to ensure they meet specified standards.
Address any quality issues with vendors and work towards timely resolutions.
Cost Management:Work within budget constraints to maximize the value of purchases.
Seek cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality.
Culinary Class Support:Coordinate with culinary instructors to understand specific class requirements and preferences.
Ensure that all necessary ingredients are available for each class session.
Catering Event Support:Collaborate with the catering team to understand menu requirements for upcoming events.
Procure ingredients and supplies needed for catering events in a timely manner.
Qualifications:
- Preferred experience in food purchasing or a related field.
- Strong knowledge of food products, vendors, and market trends.
- Excellent negotiation and communication skills.
- Detail-oriented with a focus on accuracy in record-keeping.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
- Familiarity with culinary education or catering operations is a plus.
Benefits:
- Paid Time Off
- Health Insurance
- 401K Matching
- Employee Assistance Programs
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $13.00 - $18.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday
- Weekends as needed
Experience:
- Purchasing: 1 year (Preferred)
- Customer service: 1 year (Required)
- Restaurant Industry: 1 year (Required)
Language:
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Preferred)
- Food Handler Certification (Preferred)
Work Location: In person