Food & Beverage Procurement Manager

Dukefield Food service
, part of the Dukefield Group, have been supporting schools with their catering operations for over 25 years and we provide services to multi-academy trusts, schools, academies, nurseries and local authorities.

We are looking for an experienced and commercially focused Food & Beverage Purchasing Manager to join our organisation within the educational sector.

The role will be responsible for leading the purchasing and procurement of food, beverages, and related supplies, ensuring that our educational catering and hospitality operations receive high-quality products and services at competitive prices.

Working across the organisation, you will play a key role in delivering value for money, quality, compliance, availability, and excellent customer service. You will develop strong supplier relationships, support operational teams, and identify opportunities to improve purchasing efficiency and reduce costs.

• Lead and manage food, beverage, and F&B-related purchasing and procurement activities.
• Source high-quality products and services at competitive prices.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, payment terms, rebates, and delivery arrangements.
• Monitor market prices, trends, product availability, and supply chain risks.
• Work closely with catering, F&B management, chefs, Finance, Operations, and other internal teams.
• Ensure purchasing activity is aligned with budgets, forecasts, menus, and operational requirements.
• Use e-procurement platforms effectively to manage purchasing activity, supplier information, orders, and procurement processes.
• Monitor stock levels and purchasing patterns to minimise waste and unnecessary expenditure.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records, pricing information, contracts, and supplier documentation.
• Review supplier performance and ensure agreed service, quality, and delivery standards are achieved.
• Support cost-control initiatives and identify opportunities for savings and greater purchasing efficiency.
• Support tendering, quotation, and supplier-selection processes where required.
• Ensure procurement activity complies with relevant organisational policies, procedures, legislation, and procurement requirements.
• Ensure products are sourced in accordance with food safety, quality, sustainability, and organisational standards.
• Work closely with suppliers with New Product Development (NPD)

The ideal candidate will have:

• Proven experience in Food & Beverage purchasing, procurement, or supply chain management, ideally within a commercial, catering, education, or a similar environment.
• Experience working within the public sector or educational sector would be highly advantageous.
• A CIPS qualification or relevant procurement qualification would be advantageous.
• A good understanding of e-procurement platforms and purchasing systems.
• A good understanding and experience of procurement frameworks and framework agreements would be advantageous.
• Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of food and beverage costs, margins, and value for money.
• Excellent negotiation and supplier relationship-management skills.
• A strong understanding of procurement processes, contract management, and supplier performance.
• Excellent analytical and organisational skills, with the ability to interpret purchasing and financial information.
• Strong IT skills, including confidence using spreadsheets and procurement systems.
• A strong customer-focused approach, with a commitment to delivering a responsive, professional, and high-quality service.
• A proactive and solutions-focused approach, with the ability to identify opportunities for cost savings, efficiencies, and service improvements.
• A commitment to quality, compliance, sustainability, and continuous improvement.
• Good working knowledge of The New Procurement Act 2023

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• The opportunity to play a key role in developing and delivering F&B purchasing within an educational environment.
• A varied and commercially focused role with the opportunity to influence procurement, supplier performance, and service delivery.
• Support for professional development and relevant procurement qualifications.
• A collaborative and supportive working environment.
• Opportunities for career development and progression.