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 Restaurant
365 (R365), Aloha NCR POS, advanced Excel skills, and the ability to leverage AI tools to support forecasting, reporting, automation, and process improvement.

This is not a remote position, it is on-site.

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

Restaurant
365 (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, Power Query, 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

• Bachelor's degree in Data Analytics, Finance, Business, Supply Chain, Hospitality Management, or a related field.

• 2-5+ 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.