Purchasing & Data Analyst

POSITION SUMMARY

The Purchasing & Data Analyst plays a key role in optimizing purchasing controlling costs and improving operational performance across all Hangout Hospitality Group locations. This position combines purchasing analytics data intelligence and modern AI-supported tools to deliver accurate insights that guide decision-making across Operations Finance Culinary and Purchasing.

Candidates must have hands-on experience with Restaurant365 (R365) Aloha NCR POS advanced Excel skills and the ability to leverage AI tools to support forecasting reporting automation and process improvement.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Procurement Analysis & Strategy

Analyze purchasing usage and cost trends to identify inefficiencies and cost-saving opportunities.

Use historical purchasing data and AI-assisted forecasting to recommend procurement improvements.

Monitor product movement and proactively suggest alternatives when pricing quality or availability changes.

2. Vendor Performance Relationship Management & Sales Associate Engagement

Maintain strong working relationships with vendors and sales associates to ensure service communication and support remain consistent.

Evaluate supplier performance based on pricing accuracy delivery reliability product quality and overall value.

Support negotiations using data-backed insights.

Collaborate with sales representatives on product updates promotions availability issues and market trends.

Serve as a point of contact between HHG locations suppliers and sales teams.

3. Inventory & Cost Management

Use POS data and predictive analytics to forecast demand and optimize inventory levels.

Track food beverage and retail cost trends across all units.

Utilize AI-powered variance alerts to detect waste shrinkage receiving issues or ordering patterns that require correction.

Collaborate with Culinary and Operations teams to improve portioning receiving accuracy and waste reduction.

4. Data Reporting Insights & AI Integration

Build dashboards and automated reporting tools with AI-driven insights and forecasting.

Utilize AI tools for predicting sales and usage improving par levels detecting cost anomalies and automating routine data tasks.

Present operational and financial insights to leadership in a clear and visually organized format.

5. Software Utilization & System Optimization

Restaurant365 (R365) Required

Manage purchasing inventory AP automation and COGS reporting modules.

Ensure accuracy of PO workflows receiving transfers and invoicing.

Use R365 Intelligence features for forecasting and variance identification.

Aloha NCR POS Required

Integrate POS sales and product mix data into purchasing and forecasting.

Use POS trends to support menu engineering and ordering strategy.

AI & Automation Tools Required

Apply AI tools (Excel AI features Power BI forecasting ChatGPT-style analysis R365 Intelligence) to enhance accuracy forecasting and efficiency.

Identify new opportunities for AI integration across purchasing inventory reporting and operations.

Excel / Power BI / Data Visualization

Build advanced financial and operational models.

Create dashboards using pivot tables PowerQuery and BI tools.

6. Issue Resolution & Cross-Functional Operations

Investigate pricing discrepancies delivery issues invoice errors or inventory variances using AI-assisted diagnostics.

Work closely with GMs Chefs Operations Finance and Accounting to ensure data accuracy and operational consistency.

Train managers and team members on using dashboards AI-assisted forecasting and purchasing best practices.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Strong analytical skills and familiarity with predictive modeling.

Hands-on experience with AI-supported tools for forecasting anomaly detection and automation.

Advanced proficiency in R365 Aloha NCR Excel and BI platforms.

Excellent communication vendor relationship-building and negotiation skills.

High attention to detail and accuracy.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelors degree in Data Analytics Finance Business Supply Chain Hospitality Management or a related field.

25 years of data or purchasing experience (multi-unit restaurant experience strongly preferred).

Required: Experience with R365 and Aloha NCR.

Preferred: Experience with Power BI Tableau SQL or Python; familiarity with AI tools.

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