Culinary Buyer Contractor

Culinary Operations & Inventory Coordinator

Location: Austin, TX 78703

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM-3:00 PM (Full-Time, Onsite)

Pay Rate: $25.00 per hour

Duration: 6+ month contract with potential for extension based on business needs and performance

Additional Requirements

• This position requires local travel using your personal vehicle to pick up and deliver ingredients, products, and event materials. Mileage reimbursement is provided.
• Must successfully pass a background check and maintain a clean motor vehicle record.

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Culinary Operations & Inventory Coordinator to support the daily operations of a Culinary Excellence Center. This role is responsible for product purchasing, inventory management, receiving, ordering, facility coordination, and support of culinary development activities.

The ideal candidate is proactive, intellectually curious, and thrives in a fast-paced environment. Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills are essential, as this role collaborates with cross-functional teams to ensure products, ingredients, and operational resources are available for culinary testing, development, and special events.

Key Responsibilities

Purchasing, Receiving & Inventory

• Replenish products and ingredients through established purchasing procedures.
• Coordinate with internal purchasing teams to secure product samples and newly developed items.
• Ensure orders are accurate, timely, and aligned with operational needs.
• Receive, process, and organize all incoming deliveries.
• Review production schedules and adjust purchasing plans accordingly.
• Monitor product quality, freshness, and inventory rotation.
• Utilize multiple systems to source, order, and schedule deliveries of ingredients and supplies.
• Procure items locally when products are unavailable through approved vendors.
• Maintain receiving logs, inventory records, and product tracking systems.
• Assist with routine inventory audits and cycle counts.
• Support outgoing shipments and maintain professional relationships with delivery personnel and service providers.

Culinary Center Operations

• Manage day-to-day operational needs of the Culinary Excellence Center.
• Coordinate facility maintenance and operational upkeep.
• Purchase, organize, and transport ingredients, supplies, and materials required for culinary development, testing, and special events.
• Support culinary teams by ensuring products and resources are available for research, development, and testing initiatives.
• Assist with data entry, record keeping, reporting, and organizational projects.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment.

Team & Safety Support

• Attend all scheduled shifts, meetings, and required training sessions.
• Follow established food safety, sanitation, health, and workplace safety procedures.
• Report safety concerns, facility issues, and potential hazards promptly.
• Maintain compliance with company policies, procedures, and quality standards.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Skills & Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in purchasing, inventory control, receiving, procurement, or related operational support.
• Basic food industry knowledge and genuine interest in culinary products and ingredients.
• Experience using online ordering and inventory management systems.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team while also operating independently.
• Excellent organizational, prioritization, and time management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive, solution-oriented mindset.
• Basic math skills, including measurements and culinary conversions.
• Comfortable working with computers and standard business software applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with high-volume purchasing, receiving, or food production environments.
• Knowledge of ingredients, product specifications, and basic nutritional information.
• Interest in culinary innovation, food trends, and product development.
• Experience supporting inventory tracking, logistics, or supply chain activities.
• Basic photography or product documentation experience is a plus.

Working Conditions

• Must adhere to company dress code, kitchen safety standards, and required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Frequent standing and walking for extended periods.
• Regular bending, twisting, squatting, climbing, reaching, lifting, and carrying.
• Repetitive use of hands and arms.
• Exposure to food production environments, including coolers, freezers, ovens, and cooking equipment.
• Exposure to cleaning chemicals approved for food-safe environments.
• Ability to safely operate equipment such as pallet jacks, box cutters, and other operational tools.
• Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds without assistance.
• Occasional schedule flexibility may be required to support special events or business needs.

Background check, valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and clean driving record are required.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, or military or veteran status. We consider all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.