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Purchasing Specialist - Food and Beverage

Uline · IL · Full time

Posted Sep 29, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you negotiated a better price or terms with a supplier. How did you prepare?

What they are checking: Whether they negotiate with data and preparation while keeping the supplier relationship strong.

Tell me about a time you set up or managed a point-of-sale system. What problems did you run into?

What they are checking: Whether they can own POS setup and reporting accurately, which the posting lists as a duty.

Tell me about a time you found an error in purchasing or inventory data. How did you find it, and what did you fix?

What they are checking: Whether they are careful with data accuracy, since decisions depend on the numbers being right.

What would you do

A key supplier delivers produce that does not meet quality standards right before lunch service. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can protect service in the moment and then hold the supplier accountable.

Coffee prices jump sharply. How would you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they think through options like contracts, alternatives and communication before simply passing on the cost.

How would you work with café staff to understand what they need from purchasing?

What they are checking: Whether they partner with the people who use the products instead of buying from behind a desk.

About the work

You would be buying close to a million pounds of food a year. How would you decide what to order and how much?

What they are checking: Whether they use sales and POS data to balance freshness, waste and running out.

How would you use point-of-sale data to find ways to improve the café?

What they are checking: Whether they can turn sales data into concrete decisions about menu, pricing or purchasing.

How would you analyze food spending to find savings without lowering quality?

What they are checking: Whether they understand value as quality for the cost, not just the lowest price.

When you review a supplier contract, what terms do you pay the most attention to?

What they are checking: Whether they know which contract details, like price changes and delivery terms, create risk later.

How do you consider food safety when choosing or changing a supplier?

What they are checking: Whether they treat food safety as a must-have when sourcing, not an afterthought.

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The full job description

As published by Uline.

Purchasing Specialist - Food and Beverage Corporate Headquarters 12575 Uline Drive, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158 Help fuel our team! Join Uline as a Purchasing Specialist and help shape the café experience at our growing Corporate Headquarters. Manage purchasing for nearly 1 million pounds of food and more than 6,000 gallons of coffee each year while using your analytical expertise to guide decisions, build strong supplier partnerships and uncover opportunities to improve quality, value and efficiency. Careers Packed with Potential. Backed by 45+ years of success, Uline offers opportunities to grow your career with stability you can count on. Position Responsibilities • Manage purchasing for food, beverage and equipment inventory that support Uline's corporate café operations. • Analyze spending, purchasing trends, café performance and point-of-sale data to identify opportunities and recommend improvements. • Build and maintain supplier relationships and support pricing discussions, contract reviews and vendor negotiations. • Support strategic sourcing initiatives to enhance product quality, efficiency and overall value. • Oversee point-of-sale systems, from setup and reporting to ensuring accurate data and insights that support business decisions. Minimum Requirements • High school diploma or equivalent. Bachelor's degree preferred. • 2+ years of experience in foodservice, hospitality, procurement, purchasing, or supply chain operations. • Experience managing vendor relations and purchasing processes. • Proficient in Microsoft Excel and data analysis. • Effective communication, analytical and organizational skills. Benefits • Complete health insurance coverage and 401(k) with 6% employer match that starts day one ! • Multiple bonus programs. • Paid holidays and generous paid time off. • Tuition Assistance Program that covers professional continuing education. Employee Perks • On-site café and first-class fitness center with complimentary personal trainers. • Over four miles of beautifully maintained walking trails. About Uline Uline, a family-owned company, is North America’s leading distributor of shipping, industrial, and packaging materials with over 10,000 employees across 15 locations. Uline is a drug-free workplace . All new hires must complete a pre-employment hair follicle drug screening . All positions are on-site. EEO/AA Employer/Vet/Disabled #LI-TE2 #CORP (#IN-PPFACL3) #ZR-HQFAC Our employees make the difference and we are committed to offering exceptional benefits and perks! Explore Uline.jobs to learn more!

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