CUTTING THROUGH CORPORATE RED TAPE

Does any one have any suggestions on getting around corporate purchasing specs? I keep running into brick walls,if the item I need is out of stock,or not in my purchasing guide it is rejected,no matter how bad it's needed.

By Panini (Panini) on Thursday, July 20, 2000 - 11:20 am: Edit

% of exotic purchase monies,Asian etc. ya know your own petty cash.

By Raine on Thursday, July 20, 2000 - 04:42 pm: Edit

Rejected by who? The distributer or the purchaser.

Most distributers won't ship anything that is not on a pre-approved list. If this is the case, than you need to talk to the person that is in charge of this list, usually the general manager. If he rejects it, than your just screwed.

As for out of stock item, you can back order them and have them rushed as soon as possible. Or, as panini says, use petty cash, and buy them from someone else that might carry it. If your really desparate go to the competition. They get a real kick out of that.

By RDB on Friday, July 28, 2000 - 10:45 pm: Edit

sorry it's taken so long to say THANKS GUYS, and it's both. the GM is just as flustered as I am. I have never delt within a world wide organization ( ARAMARK ) before I took the job,( I have been there two years) the too many divisions within divisions. petty cash streched as far as it can,good news though we just found out a new on line purchasing guide is do out within the next few weeks.
RDB

By Panini (Panini) on Saturday, July 29, 2000 - 02:42 pm: Edit

Boy you were not kidding RED TAPE. I used to work for ARA and now sell to them.Jumping through hoops to become an approved vendor. After all that I blew up the deal for they were at least 30-60 days out.Good luck! If your using Sysco remember they have an obligation in the contract to get whatever you want.give them plenty of lead time.
Don't fight it though, the kick back from Sysco to ARA pays for all your bonuses.

By RDB on Sunday, July 30, 2000 - 12:47 am: Edit

Panini,
what division did you work for at ara? I'm in campus dinning.we use sysco,vsa,& a couple of small time outfits for our blimpie franchise.depending on what concepts are used in the dinning facility , purchasing specs change vastly. catering is a different story since it's a college we are limited on what we can charge, but they still want upscale food & service. I have one guy that wants a sit down dinner with all the china/cyrstal service for 1500 people for less than 5.00 per person,and the GM TOOK THE BOOKING!!! That sucks rocks big time. most of the time the job is good but when the GM does this kind of stuff it drives me nuts.anybody need a dish washer I,ll sell him to ya cheap!!!

By Panini (Panini) on Sunday, July 30, 2000 - 04:57 pm: Edit

RDB,
Campus dinning.SMU. I was there before ARA took over. Never made it through the transition. I was basically in semi retirement. Wonderful job, plenty of labor, good products, good budget, good compensation, great benefits , family atmosphere. Then ARA. enough said. Where are you?
panini

By RDB on Sunday, July 30, 2000 - 08:57 pm: Edit

Panini,
I am the chef for Del Mar college down here in corpus christi. I hear ya,but I guess I'm a glutton for punishment.

By Panini (Panini) on Sunday, August 06, 2000 - 06:51 am: Edit

RDB,
Don't get me wrong, I didn't want to come off so negetive. This is a good outfit with a lot of room to grow and move. If I was a few years younger I would have jumped at the chance. Good luck to you and if your ever in Dallas look me up.
panini

By RDB on Sunday, August 06, 2000 - 02:35 pm: Edit

Panini,
thanks for the invite. I understand what you were saying,I love my job!until I took this position two years ago the closest I had been to a company of this size was a hilton property run by sunbelt inc.,and water sreet inc. I don't get the big bucks,campus dinning does not pay well. that is somthing I am working on,but insurance,payed holiday's and three day weekends/not working nights, and only having to work 10hr days gives me the chance to have the kind of job that most chefs only dream of.