Purchasing Manager | PE-Backed Hospitality
The Client:
Harmonic is delighted to be working with a PE-Backed Hospitality Group in the experiential leisure space that is looking to hire a F&B Purchasing Manager to join their growing team.
Backed by a very reputable PE firm, this business currently boasts 3 innovative concepts, 27 locations in the UK and has grown from 5 to 10 locations in the US over the past year. Strategically, their focus is now very much on US expansion, so much so that the CEO has relocated! Each venue combines fun, competitive activities with immersive, technology-enhanced experiences, offering guests memorable social environments.
This start-up is driven by an exceptional senior leadership team, and they are looking for an F&B Purchasing Manager that will oversee all F&B vendors for their US locations.
This business is renowned for their inclusive and entrepreneurial culture where staff are well supported yet encouraged to work with autonomy and bring a lot of ideas to the table. They are very passionate about what they do and are looking for ‘the best and brightest’ who share their enthusiasm for all things bars and restaurants.
Responsibilities:
- Oversee all food and beverage purchasing for all US locations, ensuring optimal stock levels and minimizing waste.
- Manage relationships with liquor distributors and food suppliers, ensuring competitive pricing and high-quality products.
- Negotiate contracts and terms with suppliers to support cost-efficiency and operational needs.
- Monitor inventory levels, ensuring timely replenishment without overstocking, and implement effective inventory management processes.
- Stay updated on alcohol trends and identify opportunities to introduce new products to enhance guest experiences.
- Ensure compliance with local and national liquor laws and regulations.
- Collaborate with the leadership team to support US expansion, ensuring new locations are fully supplied and operational.
- Develop and manage the purchasing budget, tracking expenses and identifying cost-saving opportunities.
What we need to see (Essential):
- Proven experience as a Purchasing Manager or similar role, ideally in a multi-location hospitality, restaurant, or bar group.
- Expertise in liquor purchasing, including managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts, and understanding licensing regulations.
- Strong vendor management skills and the ability to build effective partnerships with suppliers.
- Solid understanding of inventory management systems and best practices.
- Experience in cost control and budgeting with a focus on optimizing purchasing costs while maintaining quality.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-growth environment, supporting multiple locations.
- Excellent negotiation and communication skills.
- Strong problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.
What we would like to see (Non-essential):
- Experience in experiential or entertainment-focused venues (e.g., activity bars, social clubs, or leisure concepts).
- Familiarity with US alcohol regulations and market trends.
- Experience with private equity-backed companies or fast-growing organizations.
- Proficiency in procurement software or related technology systems.
- A track record of contributing to US market expansion efforts.
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Salary: $140,000 - $160,000 + Bonus
If this role is of interest, please send your CV over to audrey.sellers@harmonicfinance.com for a full briefing on the role and company. Alternatively, please share this job posting with your network or anyone who you think may be interested in the role.
At Harmonic, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace. We actively welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and assure you that every candidate will be thoughtfully considered for the roles we represent, without regard to race, religion, gender expression, disability, or sexual orientation.
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