Catering Industry Procurement Manual

Author: Duan Chao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: Section 3: Selection and Management of Purchasing Personnel
Having competent purchasing personnel is the beginning of running a successful catering business, while incompetent ones may cause financial losses. Therefore, in the selection and appointment of purchasing staff, operators must not be even a bit careless. So, as managers of the purchasing department, facing numerous candidates, how should they make their choices?
I. Selection of Catering Purchasing Personnel
The position of purchasing personnel in a catering business is very special. Due to the unique nature of their work, purchasing staff have long been regarded as those in "lucrative positions," and the practice of accepting kickbacks has always been a headache for operators. According to a news survey, a regular purchasing staff member in a four-star catering business could earn as high as 1 million yuan in kickbacks annually! Whether this data is true or not, it reflects the severity and prevalence of kickbacks among purchasing staff today. Therefore, selecting the right purchasing personnel and managing them appropriately have become necessary prerequisites for effective purchasing work.
The selection of purchasing personnel should not rely solely on the will of superiors; opinions from various sides should be sought. The following candidates can be considered as promising prospects for purchasing staff:
(1) Middle-aged employees who have worked in the company for many years and have consistently performed well, with relatives working in this catering business. These individuals are cautious, think thoroughly before acting, and can be relied upon.
(2) Employees who adhere to principles in their daily work, have a strong sense of responsibility, dare to express opposing opinions, are concerned about the business operations of the catering company, and have straightforward, honest personalities that are not swayed by trends or money.
(3) Veterans who have returned from military service. Most veterans have high political awareness, clear life and value perspectives, and a sense of honor and shame, all of which are qualities needed for an excellent purchasing staff member.
The following types of individuals are unsuitable for serving as catering purchasing staff:
(1) Children and relatives of leaders. Purchasing is considered a "lucrative position" by some, and many people aspire to it. To avoid conflicts of interest, the children and relatives of leaders should not be appointed as purchasing staff.
(2) Individuals assigned from higher authorities or through various connections—these people often have backstage support and act boldly. If problems arise in their purchasing work, the catering company manager may find themselves in a difficult situation, struggling to handle the issue.
(3) Those who have previously worked as purchasing staff in other catering businesses and now seek the same role in this company. Although they may have extensive purchasing knowledge and experience, they are likely drawn to the "lucrative position" of purchasing and are not suitable for appointment.
(4) Individuals with a history of misconduct, who are vain, overly concerned with appearances, fond of extravagance, prioritize loyalty over ethics, and are easily swayed by money.
(5) Purchasing staff who were previously classmates, colleagues, or relatives should not be assigned to the same roles in the purchasing department. Special attention should be paid to preventing internal purchasing staff or purchasing staff from colluding with the purchasing manager.
II. Management of Purchasing Personnel
Selecting highly qualified and skilled purchasing personnel is not enough, as everyone knows that purchasing is a "lucrative position." As the saying goes, "If you walk by the river often, how can you avoid getting your shoes wet?" In an environment where accepting kickbacks has become the norm, even the most conscientious and well-qualified purchasing staff, when immersed in the circle for a long time, may become corrupted. We cannot expect every purchasing staff member to remain free of distractions in their work, but we can take management measures to closely monitor the purchasing process, ensuring that even if they have thoughts of accepting kickbacks, they dare not act on them.
Do not underestimate the importance of managing purchasing staff. If kickbacks by purchasing staff can truly be eradicated, it would be a great success for the catering business.
1. Establish Effective Supervision and Control Measures
Supervising and controlling the purchasing department and staff is different from giving them free rein to work. Supervision and control are meant to prevent loopholes, while entrusting them with tasks is to grant them the authority to work. This authority, like all other powers, must be subject to necessary supervision and control. The purchasing department and staff should also consciously accept supervision. P40-41