Align Your Planning and Procurement Strategies

As the new year approaches, planning and procurement are hot topics for operators across channels. No matter what type of business you run, you want to start 2025 on the right foot. Foodbuy is here to help with valuable advice for managing procurement in the new year.

Read on to learn more.

Take Stock of Your Year

An essential part of your planning and procurement strategies should be reviewing the data on 2024. When it comes to purchasing, you’ll want to focus on a few areas:

• What did we purchase the most of in 2024?
• Which of our locations are spending the most on products and services?
• Which of our locations are spending the least?
• Which categories take up the most spend?
• Which products and services provide us with the most value?

These questions can help you better understand where your money is going and how you should prioritize across categories. They can also help you determine which of your locations need some extra support when it comes to buying.

Identify Your Primary Goals

Before you launch into a new year, you’ll want to identify your main goals and plan accordingly. This prioritizing is a key element in planning and procurement strategies.

If your goal is to build brand consistency across locations, you may want to consolidate your facility maintenance services. Likewise, if your goal is to save money on purchasing, you may want to consolidate SKUs or move to more group purchasing programs.

Pay Attention to Industry Trends

While consistency has its place, industry trends can make a big impact on your business when correctly leveraged. This can look different depending on what type of business you operate, and which trends make the most sense for you.

For example, if your business is focused on menu development, you can leverage trends by offering limited time offers. Focus on one trendy ingredient or concept and use your LTO to test customer reception.

The key is to leverage trends in a subtle way so that they don’t feel like pandering. Additionally, you’ll want to use trends to compliment your company’s strengths rather than change your business model. This strategy is low risk and keeps the focus on letting your brand shine.

Put Your Best Foot Forward

When developing planning and procurement strategies, it can help to have a reliable buying partner like Foodbuy. Backed by the spend of Compass Group North America, Foodbuy provides competitive supplier programs as well as consultative solutions.

Become a Member today.