Director of Purchasing

Company Overview: Happy Belly Food Group is a leading multi-branded restaurant consolidator company with a diversified portfolio of quick-service and fast-casual concepts across Canada and soon to be in the U.S. As a publicly traded company, we are committed to disciplined growth, operational excellence, and delivering long-term value to our shareholders. Our brand methodology is defined by the 3P’s: Product, People, and Process. As a company we compliment this mission statement with innovation, quality, and a focus on the customer experience as we drive toward becoming Canada's leading consolidator of emerging food brands.   We are seeking a Director of Purchasing to join our team. This is a great opportunity for someone with a record of accomplishment in the areas identified in the Key Responsibilities below. DIRECTOR OF PURCHASING JOB DESCRIPTION   Position Title : Director of Purchasing Reports To: The Chief Operating Officer   Job Description The Director of Purchasing is responsible for developing and executing the company’s procurement strategy to ensure quality control and consistency, cost-effectiveness, and operational continuity. As the sole purchasing leader, this role manages all vendor relationships, purchasing processes, inventory oversight, and cost controls. The Director of Purchasing also partners cross-functionally to support revenue tracking and management, ensuring purchasing decisions align with business performance and financial goals. Key Responsibilities Procurement Strategy & Planning Develop and lead the company’s purchasing strategy aligned with operational and financial objectives. Forecast purchasing needs based on sales trends, menu changes, promotions, and operational requirements. Identify opportunities to streamline purchasing processes and improve efficiencies. Identify and implement strategies to minimize pricing volatility to maintain best in class value. Vendor Management Source, evaluate, negotiate, and manage all supplier and distributor relationships. Ensure consistent quality, pricing stability, and on-time delivery performance. Conduct competitive bids and negotiate contracts to secure best-in-class value. Inventory & Supply Chain Oversight: Maintain appropriate inventory levels to support uninterrupted operations. Monitor product availability, lead times, and potential supply chain risks. Collaborate with operations and finance to resolve product shortages, substitutions, or quality issues.    Cost Management & Budget Control Track and manage purchasing spend against budget.  Identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining product quality and brand standards. Provide regular reporting on cost trends and financial impacts. Revenue Tracking & Management Monitor revenue trends to ensure purchasing aligns with sales performance and business forecasts. Partner with Finance and Operations to adjust purchasing plans based on revenue drivers, menu mix, and promotional impacts. Support menu costing, margin management, and profitability analysis through accurate purchasing data and insights. Compliance & Risk Management Ensure all products and suppliers meet food safety, regulatory, and brand quality standards. Maintain accurate documentation, contracts, and compliance records. Develop and enforce policies and controls related to procurement and inventory practices.   Qualifications  5–10 years of purchasing experience, ideally in foodservice, hospitality, or QSR. Strong negotiation, analytical, and vendor management skills. Experience with inventory systems, purchasing software, and cost control tools. Ability to work independently and cross-functionally in a fast-paced, growing organization. Strong financial acumen and comfort working with budgets, forecasts, and revenue data.