Assistant Procurement Manager
We are seeking a resourceful and detail-oriented Assistant Procurement Manager to support the procurement function of a growing company in the Food & Beverage (F&B) industry. This role manages day-to-day sourcing and purchasing activities, supports supplier negotiations and helps ensure that products and services are delivered at the required quality, cost and service levels.
The successful candidate will work closely with the Procurement Manager and cross-functional teams to maintain supply continuity, control costs and improve procurement processes.
Responsibilities:
1. Sourcing and Purchasing
- Manage the sourcing and purchasing of food ingredients, beverages, operating supplies, equipment and services.
- Obtain and evaluate quotations based on price, quality, specifications, lead time and commercial terms.
- Support tender exercises, supplier evaluations, product comparisons and contract negotiations.
- Prepare purchase orders and ensure that purchases comply with approved specifications, budgets and procurement policies.
- Follow up on orders, deliveries, shortages and other supply issues to ensure timely resolution.
- Manage operations' key service contracts, e.g. pest control, exhaust hood, etc
2. Supplier Management
- Maintain productive working relationships with existing and prospective suppliers.
- Monitor supplier performance in areas such as quality, pricing, delivery reliability, responsiveness and documentation.
- Coordinate supplier reviews and follow up on agreed corrective actions.
- Maintain accurate supplier records, pricing information, agreements, certifications and product specifications.
- Source alternative suppliers or products to reduce supply and commercial risks.
3. Cost and Data Analysis
- Monitor product prices and highlight significant cost movements, supply risks and market developments.
- Prepare spend analyses, price comparisons, savings reports and procurement performance dashboards.
- Identify opportunities for cost savings, order consolidation, product standardisation and process improvement.
- Support product-costing exercises, budget preparation and periodic forecasting.
- Verify supplier invoices and resolve discrepancies in coordination with Finance and Operations.
- Prepare a variance report monthly and discuss with Operations to update the correct recipe.
4. Operations and Cross-Functional Support
- Work closely with Operations, Finance, Marketing, HR and IT teams to understand purchasing requirements.
- Support menu changes, new product introductions, promotions, events and new outlet openings.
- Create and update bill of materials (BOMs) for new food and beverage menus.
- Assist in maintaining appropriate stock levels and minimising stock-outs, excess inventory and wastage.
- Coordinate product samples, trials and approvals with relevant stakeholders.
- Ensure that suppliers and products meet applicable quality, food-safety, regulatory and sustainability requirements.
- Support the Procurement Manager in implementing procurement policies, systems and continuous-improvement initiatives.
- Supervise or guide procurement executives and coordinators where applicable.
- Provide coverage for the Procurement Manager when required.
Requirements
- At least 4–6 years of relevant procurement, purchasing or supply-chain experience.
- Experience in the F&B, hospitality, food-service, retail food or related industry is strongly preferred.
- Working knowledge of sourcing, purchasing, supplier management, inventory principles and contract administration.
- Strong numerical, analytical and organisational skills.
- Good negotiation, communication and stakeholder-management abilities.
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel and familiar with procurement, ERP or inventory-management systems.
- Able to manage multiple priorities and work accurately in a fast-paced, multi-outlet environment.