Buyer

gategroup; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

401k with company match

Company sponsored life insurance

Medical, dental, vision plans

Disability insurance

Life, accident, and hospital plans

Employee Assistance Program

Commuter benefits

Employee Discounts

Weekly pay for union employees

Free hot healthy meals for unit roles

Job summary

gategroup in Chantilly, VA, USA is seeking a Manager, Central Purchasing / Buyer to lead procurement of food products and supplies per airline specs from approved suppliers. You’ll monitor days on hand and inventories, coordinate deliveries for daily production, and adjust purchasing for menu changes.

Responsibilities include forecasting, BOM analysis, and ensuring accurate purchase orders while maintaining cost controls and supplier performance.

Qualifications

• Education: high school diploma or equivalent; college degree preferred.
• 1–2 years wholesale or multi-unit food purchasing experience required.
• 1 year in food safety control practices (GMP, SOP, HACCP) preferred.
• General food knowledge and strong Microsoft Office skills (Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Excellent written and verbal communication; detail oriented; able to work with little supervision.
• FDA/USDA regulations knowledge a plus; multilingual a plus.

Responsibilities

• Use SAP or ERP systems with BOMs and flight schedules to determine quantities of food, beverage and materials.
• Forecast load factors to determine purchases and minimize stock variances.
• Monitor inventory, usage, waste, and stock differences; ensure wholesomeness.
• Assist with daily requisition system and monthly cycle changes for BOM/Forecast errors.
• Audit purchase requisitions and purchase orders for accuracy.
• Maintain accurate product substitution logs and follow up on cost impacts.
• Ensure compliance with Purchasing Policies and vendor forecasts.
• Contribute to SPIRIT program and vendor management systems.
• Support EOM inventory processes and local material cost management.

Skills

Forecasting

ERP systems

Excel

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

College degree preferred

Tools

SAP

ERP

Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook)

Job description

We’re looking for motivated, engaged people to help make everyone’s journeys better. Reporting the Manager, Central Purchasing, the Buyer assists with purchasing all food products and supplies according to airline specifications and approved suppliers. Monitors days on hand to meet financial requirements, and well as inventory levels in the unit. Coordinates all deliveries to ensure on time delivery for daily production requirements. Monitors menus and meal cycle changes for purchasing requirements. Checks the accuracy of information received from the responsible unit(s).

Annual Hiring Range/Hourly Rate

$ 75K - $ 80K Per Year

Benefits

• Paid time off
• 401k, with company match
• Company sponsored life insurance
• Medical, dental, vision plans
• Voluntary short-term/long-term disability insurance
• Voluntary life, accident, and hospital plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Commuter benefits
• Employee Discounts
• Weekly pay for union employees
• Free hot healthy meals for unit operations roles

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Using SAP or current ERP system including Materials and Production BOMs along with customer flight schedules to determine quantities of all customer-required food, beverage, and related menu components along with Kitchen Operational Materials.
• Follows appropriate forecasting and analyzing procedures of load factor trends to determine appropriate quantities of required product purchases, and to eliminate stock overages and shortages
• Monitors inventory, usages, waste, and stock differences of materials and assures all products are wholesome for customer use
• Assists units in generating and establishing an accurate daily requisition system which is monitored, and maintained monthly through cycle changes for any BOM and Forecasting errors
• Audits and ensures accuracy of purchase requisitions and purchase orders
• Monitors responsible units to assure that an accurate food, beverage and controllable materials inventory is kept
• Follows Purchasing and Control Policies and Procedures and assures follow up on vendor forecasts, movements, and shortages
• Participates in the corporate SPIRIT program along with any MIB or vendor managements system
• Understands and ensures compliance with TCM regional and corporate programs, policies and product specifications
• Ensures unit maintains and reports accurate product substitution log and ensures appropriate follow up actions due to impact on materials cost
• Ensures all Monthly KPI’s are met up to an including, DOH, Food Cost, Material Controls (AVT) are met
• Consistently maintains a professional image in all relationships and interactions with suppliers, customers and other employees
• Audits requirement report to assure forecasting through the system as required.
• Assures involvement in EOM inventory Process to assure all materials are properly inventoried
• Assures cost of local materials are managed in system as access is provided.
• Performs special projects and other duties as required

Qualifications

• Education: A high school diploma or equivalent required
• College degree in related discipline or with experience in related discipline preferred
• Work Experience: 1 to 2 years wholesale or multi-unit food purchasing experience required
• Minimum 1 year of experience in food safety control practices (GMP's, SOP's, and HACCP) and quality program control preferred
• Technical Skills: General food knowledge, Intermediate level Microsoft office tool skills (Excel, Word, Outlook), Strong interpersonal skills, interact well with multiple departments as required, Excellent reading, writing, and oral communication skills, Able to work with little supervision, Detail oriented, Knowledge of FDA and USDA regulations a plus
• Language / Communication Skills: Effective oral and written communication skills, Effective listening skills, Multi-lingual a plus

Job Dimensions

Geographic Responsibility: na Type of Employment: Full-time Travel %: up to 10% Exemption Classification: Exempt Internal Relationships: all internal departments External Relationships: Suppliers and external customers Work Environment / Requirements of the Job: Regular Office Environment, may spend some time working in food storerooms Budget / Revenue Responsibility: na Organization Structure Direct Line Manager (Title): Mgr, Central Purchasing or General Manager Dotted Line Manager (Title, if applicable): na Number of Direct Reports: 0 Number of Dotted Line Reports: 0 Estimated Total Size of Team: 1 gategroup Competencies Required to be Successful in the Job: Thinking – Information Search and analysis & problem resolution skills Engaging – Understanding others, Team Leadership and Developing People Inspiring – Influencing and building relationships, Motivating and Inspiring, Communicating effectively Achieving – Delivering business results under pressure, Championing Performance Improvement and Customer Focus

Values

Employees at gategroup are expected to live our Values of Excellence, Integrity, Passion and Accountability. To demonstrate these Values, we expect to observe the following from everyone: We treat each other with respect and we act with integrity We communicate and keep each other informed We put our heads together to problem solve and deliver excellence as a team We have passion for our work and we pay attention to the little details We foster an environment of accountability, take responsibility for our actions and learn from our mistakes We do what we say we will do, when we say we are going to do it We care about our coworkers, always taking an opportunity to make someone’s day better

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary. In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

gategroup is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status or other category under applicable law. For further information regarding Equal Employment Opportunity, copy and paste the following URL into your web browser: http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf

We anticipate that this job will close on: 09/17/2026

gategroup is the global leader in airline catering, retail-on-board and hospitality products and services. gategroup provides passengers with superior culinary and retail experiences, leveraging innovation and advanced technology solutions. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, gategroup delivers operational excellence through the most extensive catering network in the aviation industry, serving passengers from over 200 operating units in over 60 countries/territories across all continents. We work in an exciting industry – fast-paced and ever-changing. Industry trends and customer expectations are constantly evolving and it is critical that we are agile, innovative and ready for change - and our people are our driving force. We offer attractive opportunities to be part of this fast-paced and truly international working environment. For further information, please visit www.gategroup.com.