Strategic Buyer

At Panda, we all share a common mission: "Deliver exceptional Asian dining experiences by building an organization where people are inspired to better their lives." We invest in our people because great people run great operations that will exceed our guests' expectations. Talk to any of our associates and you will experience a culture dedicated to its mission and our five fundamental values- Proactive, Respect/Win-Win, Growth, Great Operations, and Giving.

Panda Restaurant Group includes the original Panda Inn fine dining restaurants, Panda Express, our Gourmet Chinese food concept served in a fast casual environment, and Hibachi San, our Japanese grill concept. The family owned and operated company is still run by founders Andrew and Peggy Cherng.

Panda offers competitive benefits and rewarding opportunities, from entry-level positions to management. We have restaurant positions available nationwide and support center positions in Rosemead, CA. Come join the nation's largest and fastest growing Asian restaurant company.

Summary of Job Scope and Expectations:

The Strategic Buyer is responsible for achieving optimal arrangements related to purchasing furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) and building materials for construction of new stores and remodeling of existing stores.  The Strategic Buyer is responsible for up to five vendors or suppliers involving three FF&E categories.  This position executes the selection, evaluation, and negotiation for assigned FF&E items, ensuring that the vendors selected fit Panda’s culture and philosophy, have the necessary capacity, and provide the items at the best price, highest quality and on time delivery.  This position may investigate and develop new vendor sources and interprets PRG purchasing procedures to vendors, serving as a specialist in the assigned FF&E/building material.

Essential Functions:

The essential functions in this job description are not all-inclusive of this job’s duties and responsibilities.  Reliable and dependable attendance is required.

Descriptions:

• Identifies and works with up to five vendors for assigned materials (FF&E) and arranges optimal contracts in terms of pricing, quality, timing, and supply availability over the term of the contract.   Ensures costs are within budget. Conducts annual RFP process for existing and new equipment and small wares vendors and oversees national account pricing, warranty, and contracts. 

• Assists SSG Director in identifying new vendors to support future growth.  May attend industry shows to identify potential vendors.  Evaluates potential vendors in coordination with Project Managers based on detailed equipment installation specifications prepared with Project Managers and SSG Director. 

• Maintains a strong relationship between existing vendors and the company.  Communicates with vendors concerning PRG philosophy and growth plans and aligns vendors with Panda to support growth.  Evaluates the effectiveness of vendors to identify where to expand the relationship.

• Develops and refines technical bids and specifications and establishes guidelines with vendors to negotiate pricing, with approval from SSG Director.

• Arranges utility set-up covering phone, power, water, and gas for new stores.

• Oversees the close-out process to get projects closed on time and within budget.  Collects all necessary documents to close out the project.

• Provides support to Project Managers:  assembles and distributes bidding documents, oversees qualifying contractors process, tracks bidding process, maintains construction contract agreements, and related administrative responsibilities.  Trains Project Managers on Panda equipment.

• Responsible for timely processing of equipment invoices and charge backs and monitors the purchase history records; prepares analysis and recommendations.