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Food Purchasing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Manage daily purchasing and ordering for food, supplies, and equipment Monitor inventory levels and help control waste, shortages, and over-ordering Work with vendors on deliveries, pricing, credits ...

Promote and support health care organizations in making commitments to use their food purchasing and food service operations to advance climate action through food initiatives. * Contribute to the ...

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Planned menus, managed food purchasing, and maintained inventory to support efficient operations and control costs. * Supervised food preparation and service while ensuring compliance with food ...

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Food Purchasing information

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$13

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How much do food purchasing jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for food purchasing in the United States is $21.48, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.27 and $23.56 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is food purchasing?

Food purchasing refers to the process of sourcing, ordering, and acquiring food products and ingredients for restaurants, cafeterias, grocery stores, or other food service operations. Food purchasers are responsible for selecting suppliers, negotiating prices, ensuring product quality, and maintaining inventory levels. Their role helps ensure that food establishments have the necessary ingredients to meet menu demands while managing costs and minimizing waste.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in food purchasing, and how can they be managed?

One of the main challenges in Food Purchasing is balancing cost control with quality and supplier reliability, especially in a fast-changing market. Professionals often need to manage supply chain disruptions, seasonal availability, and fluctuating prices while ensuring compliance with food safety standards. Effective communication with suppliers, strong negotiation skills, and adaptability are essential for overcoming these hurdles. Building solid relationships with vendors and staying updated on market trends can help maintain a steady and cost-effective supply of quality products.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in food purchasing, and why are they important?

To thrive in Food Purchasing, you need strong analytical skills, knowledge of supply chain management, and experience with procurement processes, often supported by a degree in business, supply chain, or a related field. Familiarity with inventory management software, ERP systems, and certifications like Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) are common requirements. Strong negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills set top performers apart in this field. These competencies are crucial for ensuring cost-effective, timely, and high-quality food supply for organizations.

What is the difference between Food Purchasing vs Food Inventory Coordinator?

AspectFood PurchasingFood Inventory Coordinator
Primary RoleProcures food products from suppliers based on menu needs and budgetsManages and tracks food inventory levels within a facility
Required SkillsNegotiation, supplier relations, knowledge of food productsInventory management, record keeping, organizational skills
Work EnvironmentOffice, warehouse, or food service settingsKitchen, storage areas, or inventory rooms
CertificationsFood safety certifications often preferredInventory or supply chain certifications beneficial

Food Purchasing focuses on acquiring food supplies from vendors, ensuring quality and cost-effectiveness. Food Inventory Coordinator manages stock levels, tracks inventory, and ensures proper storage. While both roles support food service operations, Purchasing emphasizes procurement, whereas Inventory Coordination emphasizes stock management.

More about Food Purchasing jobs

What cities are hiring for Food Purchasing jobs?

Cities with the most Food Purchasing job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Food Purchasing jobs?

The most popular types of Food Purchasing jobs are:

What states have the most Food Purchasing jobs?

States with the most job openings for Food Purchasing jobs include:

Infographic showing various Food Purchasing job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 69% Full Time, 30% Part Time, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,688 per year, or $21.5 per hour.

FOOD PURCHASING SPECIALIST

Compass Group

Charleston, SC • On-site

$60K - $70K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago


Compass Group rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 1,093 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

347th of 496 rated business services


Job description

Morrison Healthcare, a Compass Healthcare company, is a leader in healthcare food and nutrition services company, serving more than 1,000 hospitals and healthcare systems across the country. With more than 31,000 associates nationwide, Morrison uses the Power of Food to create personalized dining experiences for patients and in their cafes to advance the healing and healthful missions of its clients. Morrison has been serving some of the nation's largest health systems for more than 70 years, and it leverages culinary, nutritional, and operational expertise to provide consistency and transform the healthcare experience. Since 2012, Morrison has been recognized as one of Modern Healthcare's Best Places to Work and Training Magazine has named it a Top 125/APEX Award Training Organization. Morrison has more than 1,600 registered dietitians and 1,200 executive chefs, and serves more than 600M meals annually.

This position is eligible for an Employee Referral Bonus! If you know someone that is qualified for this role, please use the 'job search' in PeopleHub to refer your referral and email them a link to apply. Your referral will be able to apply by clicking the link in the email. You can check the status through your profile, accessible via Careers in PeopleHub, by clicking on 'referral tracking.' For Employee Referral guidelines, FAQs and the Compass Employee Referral Policy, email MyReferral@compass-usa.com. 

Job Summary

Purchasing Specialist - Morrison Healthcare
Charleston, SC | $60,000-$70,000

Morrison Healthcare is hiring a Purchasing Specialist to support our food and nutrition operations in Charleston, SC. This is a great opportunity for someone who is organized, dependable, and comfortable working in a fast-paced foodservice environment.

In this role, you'll help manage purchasing, inventory, vendor communication, receiving, product availability, and cost controls. You'll partner closely with culinary and operations leadership to make sure the team has the products, supplies, and support needed to run a strong operation every day.  approximately 280K month.

Key Responsibilities:

Manage daily purchasing and ordering for food, supplies, and equipment
Monitor inventory levels and help control waste, shortages, and over-ordering
Work with vendors on deliveries, pricing, credits, quality issues, and substitutions
Track invoices, pricing changes, purchasing reports, and inventory records
Partner with chefs and operations leaders on menu needs and product availability
Support budget goals through smart purchasing and strong cost control
Ensure proper receiving, storage, rotation, and food safety standards
Follow company purchasing policies and healthcare foodservice standards

What We're Looking For:

Foodservice, hospitality, healthcare, purchasing, or inventory experience preferred
Strong organization and follow-up skills
Comfortable working with vendors, invoices, inventory, and ordering systems
Good communication skills with chefs, managers, vendors, and frontline teams
Strong attention to detail and ability to solve problems quickly
Experience with food cost, procurement, or inventory control is a plus
Contract foodservice or healthcare experience is a plus, but not required

Why Morrison Healthcare:

Salary range: $60,000-$70,000
Full benefits package
Matching 401(k)
Career growth with Morrison Healthcare and Compass Group
Supportive leadership team
Opportunity to make an impact in a healthcare setting

This is a great role for someone who likes being the person behind the scenes who keeps the operation running smoothly. If you are organized, reliable, and understand foodservice purchasing, we'd love to connect.

Apply to Morrison Healthcare today!

Morrison Healthcare is a member of Compass Group USA

Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story

Associates at Morrison Healthcare are offered many fantastic benefits. 

  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Life Insurance/ AD
  • Disability Insurance
  • Retirement Plan
  • Flexible Time Off
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
  • Personal Leave
  • Associate Shopping Program
  • Health and Wellness Programs
  • Discount Marketplace
  • Identity Theft Protection
  • Pet Insurance
  • Commuter Benefits
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_MorrisonHealthcare.pdf

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act. We encourage applicants with a criminal history (and driving history) to apply.

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Morrison Healthcare maintains a drug-free workplace.

Req ID:  1550033

Morrison Healthcare 

Teresa E Whiteside 

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