Job Title

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. 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 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 • 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.