Restaurant Depot is the nation’s leading members-only, wholesale cash-and-carry supplier serving independent restaurants, caterers, delis, convenience stores, and other food service businesses across 165+ locations in 35 states. Our stores offer bulk quantities of fresh food products, beverages, and a wide assortment of kitchen equipment, smallwares, and operational supplies. Open seven days a week, we are committed to delivering consistent quality and competitive pricing to support small business success. As we continue to grow, we are seeking analytically driven professionals with a strong commercial mindset and expertise in supplier negotiations and cost management.
Position Summary
As a Kitchen Equipment Buyer, you will be responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and managing a diverse portfolio of commercial kitchen equipment and smallwares. This role requires a strong focus on vendor negotiations, pricing strategy, and cost analysis to ensure competitive pricing and optimal margin performance. You will leverage data, market insights, and supplier relationships to make informed purchasing decisions while ensuring product quality, availability, and compliance with industry standards.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Hospitality, or related field preferred
- 2–4 years of experience in procurement, purchasing, or category management (equipment or durable goods preferred)
- Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, lookups, financial analysis)
- Experience negotiating pricing, contracts, and supplier terms
- Understanding of commercial kitchen equipment (e.g., refrigeration, cooking equipment, smallwares) is a plus
- Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, high-volume environment
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Sourcing & Procurement
- Source commercial kitchen equipment, including refrigeration units, cooking equipment, prep tools, and smallwares
- Develop and execute sourcing strategies aligned with cost targets, margin goals, and product assortment needs
- Manage purchase orders, lead times, and supplier schedules to ensure timely product availability
Vendor Negotiation & Relationship Management
- Lead negotiations with domestic and international suppliers on pricing, volume discounts, freight terms, warranties, and payment terms
- Evaluate total cost of ownership (including freight, installation considerations, and lifecycle costs) to inform negotiations
- Build and maintain strategic supplier partnerships to improve cost efficiency, product quality, and supply reliability
- Monitor vendor performance using KPIs such as lead times, fill rates, defect rates, and cost competitiveness
Pricing & Cost Analysis
- Conduct detailed cost and margin analysis, including landed cost and price variance tracking
- Benchmark pricing against competitors and market trends to maintain competitive positioning
- Identify cost-saving opportunities through supplier consolidation, contract renegotiation, and alternative sourcing
- Develop pricing strategies to maximize profitability across equipment categories
Inventory Planning & Demand Forecasting
- Analyze sales trends, project demand for equipment categories, and manage inventory levels accordingly
- Balance inventory investment with turnover rates, especially for high-cost capital equipment
- Collaborate with operations and merchandising teams to align purchasing with store demand and promotions
Quality, Compliance & Risk Management
- Ensure all equipment meets safety standards, certifications (e.g., NSF, UL), and company quality requirements
- Resolve product defects, warranty issues, and supplier discrepancies
- Mitigate supply chain risks by identifying alternate suppliers and managing product lifecycle transitions
Reporting & Data Management
- Prepare and maintain reports on pricing trends, vendor performance, and category profitability
- Maintain accurate product specifications, cost data, and supplier records in purchasing systems
- Utilize data analytics to improve sourcing efficiency and decision-making
Skills & Competencies
- Strong negotiation and contract management skills
- Advanced analytical and financial evaluation capabilities
- Understanding of cost structures, margins, and total cost of ownership
- High proficiency in Excel and procurement systems
- Detail-oriented with strong organizational and project management skills
- Effective communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities
- Ability to manage multiple SKUs and supplier relationships simultaneously
For more information or to be considered, please contact Samantha England: