F&B Cost Controller: Shape a Global Hospitality Brand

Delano; Greater London; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Delano in London is seeking a proactive F&B Cost Controller to oversee procurement finance, supplier management, inventory integrity, and margin optimization for a luxury hospitality brand. The role focuses on cost control, accurate costing, and close collaboration with operations to safeguard profitability.

You will manage POs, supplier records, and monthly P&L insights, while leading stock counts and ensuring robust internal controls.

Qualifications

• Experience in hotel or luxury hospitality F&B cost control/procurement with clear ownership of COGS, inventory, and supplier financials.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail with a controls mindset and accountability for financial outcomes.
• Solid understanding of F&B operations, product standards, seasonality, yield/portion control, and their P&L implications.
• Proficiency with purchasing and inventory systems (Astore, Adaco/Infor, or similar) and confident Excel/Sheets skills (lookups, pivots, variance and sensitivity analysis).
• Clear, professional communicator with the credibility to influence operational teams and challenge constructively.
• Analytical, deadline-driven, and comfortable managing multiple priorities across close, stock counts, and reporting cycles.
• Flexible around month-end, stock counts, and audits; collaborative and service-oriented.

Responsibilities

• Assist sourcing best‑value, brand‑standard F&B products within budget, cash flow, and lead‑time targets, balancing cost, quality, and risk.
• Ensure accurate POs are raised by F&B and maintain commitment tracking to provide clear visibility of open liabilities and cash requirements.
• Monitor price movements and negotiate cost improvements, rebates, and terms; quantify savings and record benefits realisation.
• Maintain complete vendor records (contracts, specs, pricing, certifications, SLAs) with version control and expiry alerts.
• Manage rebate/retro agreements, post monthly accruals, and ensure timely, accurate invoicing.
• Perform daily control over voids, discounts, transfers, promotions, and staff meals; investigate anomalies, quantify P&L impact, and drive corrective actions.
• Ensure accurate recipe costing, standard yields, and item–recipe links in inventory systems; partner on menu engineering to improve gross margin and contribution per cover.
• Produce weekly flash P&L for F&B: COGS %, purchase commitments, variance vs budget/forecast, and key drivers; present commentary and actions.
• Deliver month‑end close inputs: stock adjustments, accruals, prepayments, rebates, and cost reclassifications; reconcile F&B COGS to movements
• Maintain strong internal controls: procurement policy compliance, segregation of duties and audit evidence packs.
• Verify goods received vs POs (price/quantity/quality); ensure accuracy and aid storage to protect asset value and reduce write‑offs.
• Lead/assist monthly stock counts; reconcile variances, identify root causes, and implement process fixes; report shrinkage rates and trend analysis.
• Monitor slow‑moving and short‑dated items; recommend mitigation (menu specials, transfers, supplier returns) and quantify waste avoidance.
• Track inventory KPIs: days on hand, stock turn, write‑off %, and GRNI ageing; propose actions to optimise working capital.
• Three‑way match POs, Delivery Notes, and invoices; resolve discrepancies with AP; maintain clean AP and clear aged items promptly.
• Provide actionable insights to Operations: portion/yield control, ideal vs actual cost variances, and profitability by outlet, daypart, and event.
• Collaborate on pricing decisions and menu changes to achieve target margin while maintaining brand standards.

Skills

COGS ownership

Inventory management

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Excel/Sheets proficiency

Communication skills

Deadline-driven

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

Astore

Adaco/Infor

Excel

Job description

Delano in London is seeking a proactive F&B Cost Controller to oversee procurement finance, supplier management, inventory integrity, and margin optimization for a luxury hospitality brand. The role focuses on cost control, accurate costing, and close collaboration with operations to safeguard profitability.

You will manage POs, supplier records, and monthly P&L insights, while leading stock counts and ensuring robust internal controls.