FOOD SERVICE PROCUREMENT MANAGER - EASTERN CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY

Food Service Procurement & Inventory Manager

Eastern Connecticut State University is Connecticut's public liberal arts university, committed to academic excellence, sustainability, and student success. Our Chartwells Higher Ed Dining Services team plays a vital role in campus lifefueling learning, community, and connection through fresh, nutritious, and responsibly sourced meals.

We're seeking a strategic and detail-oriented Food Service Procurement & Inventory Manager to oversee the sourcing, purchasing, and inventory operations that support our campus dining facilities. This role ensures that our kitchens are stocked with high-quality ingredients while maintaining cost-efficiency and compliance with company guidelines.

You'll manage vendor relationships, forecast inventory needs, and implement systems that keep our kitchens humming. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and love turning chaos into order, this is your moment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Procurement Strategy: Develop and execute purchasing plans for food, beverages, and supplies that align with budget and quality standards.
• Vendor Management: Source, evaluate, and maintain relationships with suppliers. Negotiate pricing, terms, and service agreements.
• Inventory Oversight: Monitor stock levels across multiple locations. Implement inventory control systems to minimize waste and optimize turnover.
• Data-Driven Forecasting: Analyze consumption trends and seasonal demand to anticipate needs and prevent shortages or overstock.
• Compliance & Safety: Ensure all products meet health, safety, and regulatory standards. Maintain accurate records for audits and inspections.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with culinary, finance, and operations teams to align purchasing with menu planning and business goals.
• Technology Integration: Leverage inventory management software and procurement platforms to streamline workflows and reporting.
• Assists in coordinating and participating in the preparation and cooking of various food items.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• 3 years of related culinary experience including 1 year at the management level.
• Experience in restaurants, hotels, corporate dining, education, military, health care, and/or related food service operations.
• Knowledge of food and industry trends with a focus on quality, production, sanitation, safety, food cost controls, and presentation.
• Ability to set up and distribute production sheets.
• Supervisory, leadership, training, management, and coaching skills.
• ServSafe or Department of Health Certification is preferred.
• Computer skills and knowledge of MS Office products including Excel.
• Associate's degree is Culinary Arts is preferred.

Associates at Chartwells Higher Ed are offered many fantastic benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, holiday time off, associate shopping program, health and wellness programs, discount marketplace, identity theft protection, pet insurance, commuter benefits, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, paid parental leave, and personal leave.