At Panda, we all share a common mission: "Deliver exceptional Asian dining experiences by building an organization where people are inspired to better their lives." We invest in our people because great people run great operations that will exceed our guests' expectations. Talk to any of our associates and you will experience a culture dedicated to its mission and our five fundamental values- Proactive, Respect/Win-Win, Growth, Great Operations, and Giving.
Panda Restaurant Group includes the original Panda Inn fine dining restaurants, Panda Express, our Gourmet Chinese food concept served in a fast casual environment, and Hibachi San, our Japanese grill concept. The family owned and operated company is still run by founders Andrew and Peggy Cherng.
We have an immediate opening for a Senior Purchasing Manager for our Produce & Perishables division at our headquarters in Rosemead, CA.
The Senior Manager, Purchasing (Produce and Perishables) is responsible for achieving strategic optimal arrangements related to purchasing all produce and perishable products such as fresh and frozen produce, ginger garlic blend, egg, and dairy products. This position’s portfolio of products is approximately $70 - $100 million in present annual expenditures and has a high level of impact on the company’s financial performance and reputation. This position executes the selection, evaluation, and negotiation for all PRG produce and perishable items, ensuring that the suppliers selected fit Panda’s culture and philosophy, have the necessary capacity, and provide the items at the best price and highest quality. This position also leads SCM staff involved with purchasing produce and perishable items.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Executes the company’s produce and perishable purchasing arrangements in support of its business strategy and plan. Identifies suppliers and arranges optimal contracts in terms of pricing, quality, timing, and supply availability over the term of the contract. Works with Vice President, SCM to interact with the highest level of executives at supplier companies. Advises senior leadership on the availability of specific products and pricing, pre-qualifying new suppliers and facilities in terms of price, capacity, and quality. Ensures costs are within budget.
- Assists the Vice President, SCM in the design and execution of the five-year supply chain strategic plan, anticipating business requirements. The plan includes identifying supplier sources, their purchasing capacity, and any legal/tariff issues. Informs the Vice President, SCM and senior leadership on produce and perishable industry insights, such as tariffs, import/export limitations, government regulations, Act of God situations, mergers, acquisitions, personnel changes, new item introduction, etc.
- Recruits, selects, and develops an effective SCM team involved with produce and perishable purchasing. Provides leadership, coaching and development to the team to meet the department’s people planning and development goals.
- Identifies new suppliers to support future growth. Attends supplier and industry conferences to identify potential suppliers, domestic and international and gain industry insights. Evaluates potential suppliers in coordination with FSQA concerning the viability of their product and acceptability of their manufacturing facility. Negotiates with new suppliers over cost and collaborates with logistics to bring product(s) into distribution.
- Maintains a strong professional relationship between suppliers and the company. Communicates with suppliers concerning all aspects of the partnership including PRG philosophy and growth plans, and aligns suppliers with Panda to support our growth. Evaluates the effectiveness and fitness of suppliers to determine our procurement strategy.
- Leads or participates in projects with departments such as FSQA, Product Development, Marketing, Legal, Finance, and Operations related to product specifications, quality inquiries, product recall, sourcing new ingredients, testing new products, and phasing in products within distribution.
- Arranges for global sourcing of produce and perishable items for both domestic and international operations
- Supports company special events in terms of sponsorship and procurement. Provides produce for events as requested. May solicit suppliers as potential sponsors of charity events.
- Tracks commodities markets on prices and supply and determines strategy and direction for optimal procurement program. Recommends best timing to introduce and promote new produce and perishable products when market is most favorable.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
If hired, must provide proof of full vaccination on your start date, unless prohibited by federal, state, or local law. Full vaccination means two weeks or more have passed after receiving the second dose in a two-dose series, or more than two weeks after receiving a single-dose vaccine. Examples of proof of full vaccination include an original, photocopied, or digital completed vaccination card which includes your name, type of vaccine provided, and date last dose administered.
- Bachelor’s degree required; CPSM certification preferred
- Minimum seven years of experience in Supply Chain Management, preferably in a multi-unit food service and/or manufacturing organization, with increasing management or project management responsibility
BENEFITS:
Panda offers competitive benefits and rewarding opportunities, from entry-level positions to management.
Panda Restaurant Group’s culture is strongly guided by our Mission and Values, highlighted on the Panda websites. We recommend all interested candidates become familiar with our Mission and Values, as well as the principals of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen Covey.
Panda Restaurant Group, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
