Director, Purchasing (Restaurants)
Tab Commerce
Austin, TX, USA · Remote
The Role
We’re hiring a Director of Purchasing to lead supplier strategy, contract negotiation, and purchasing optimization across our growing network of restaurant partners.
This is a highly strategic role focused on driving cost efficiencies, building strong supplier relationships, and developing scalable systems that improve how restaurants source goods and services. You’ll work cross-functionally to design and implement a modern, technology-enabled approach to purchasing.
⸻
What You’ll Do
Lead Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Partnerships
- Build and manage relationships with national and regional suppliers across key categories (food, beverage, disposables, services)
- Identify opportunities to improve pricing, terms, and overall supplier performance
- Develop sourcing strategies aligned with operator needs
Negotiate High-Impact Agreements
- Lead contract negotiations with manufacturers, distributors, and service providers
- Structure pricing, rebates, and incentive programs that drive measurable savings
- Leverage aggregated demand across partners where applicable
Build Scalable Purchasing Systems
- Design processes and frameworks that standardize purchasing across a diverse set of operators
- Create playbooks for supplier onboarding, category expansion, and contract management
- Develop reporting and performance tracking across vendors and categories
Develop AI-Enabled Workflows
- Implement AI agents and automation tools to:
- Analyze pricing and benchmark suppliers
- Streamline sourcing and RFP workflows
- Monitor contract compliance and identify savings opportunities
- Partner with product and engineering teams to embed intelligence into purchasing operations
- Continuously improve efficiency and reduce manual overhead
Drive Operator Value
- Deliver measurable cost savings and improved unit economics for restaurant partners
- Provide transparency into pricing, performance, and savings
- Collaborate with customer teams to align purchasing strategy with real-world operator needs
⸻
What We’re Looking For
Relevant Industry Experience
- 7–15+ years in procurement, strategic sourcing, or purchasing leadership
- Experience negotiating supplier agreements at:
- Large restaurant groups (multi-unit / national scale), or
- Foodservice GPOs or purchasing organizations
- Strong understanding of foodservice supply chain dynamics
Proven Negotiator
- Track record of securing favorable pricing, rebates, and contract terms
- Deep familiarity with distributor and manufacturer economics
Systems-Oriented Builder
- Experience creating or scaling purchasing processes across multiple locations or brands
- Ability to design structured, repeatable systems in a fast-moving environment
AI / Automation Mindset
- Interest in leveraging AI and automation to scale operations efficiently
- Ability to identify opportunities for intelligent workflows and reduced manual effort
Analytical & Strategic
- Strong financial intuition and data-driven decision-making
- Comfortable working across both strategic planning and hands-on execution
⸻
Nice to Have
- Experience working with or alongside purchasing cooperatives or networks
- Exposure to restaurant technology systems (POS, inventory, AP/AR)
- Background in high-growth or tech-enabled environments