Foodbuy Hospitality’s Drew Holtz Shares Strategies for Simplifying Procurement

Foodbuy Hospitality’s Drew Holtz, Associate Director of Member Success, recently joined hospitality and leisure industry leaders for a LODGING Magazine virtual roundtable focused on simplifying procurement and building more effective supply chain strategies.

Drawing on nearly 20 years of hospitality experience, including almost a decade with Foodbuy, Holtz shared his perspective on managing procurement changes across complex organizations, using data to measure success and tailoring procurement strategies to individual business needs.

Managing Change Across Multiple Locations

For organizations operating across numerous properties or locations, simplifying procurement often requires more than identifying the right product or supplier. Successfully implementing change requires clear expectations, communication, and a rollout strategy designed around the organization.

Holtz emphasized that procurement transformation is a journey rather than an overnight change. Instead of implementing a new purchasing strategy everywhere at once, organizations can introduce changes in stages, address availability or distribution issues as they emerge and apply those learnings to subsequent locations.

Building support at the property level can also help. Holtz recommended identifying employees who have successfully implemented a change and using their experiences to demonstrate its value to other locations. Feedback from the people making purchases every day can help organizations both identify problems and build momentum around successful initiatives.

Turning Procurement Data Into Action

Data can help operators determine whether a procurement change is actually delivering the intended result. Holtz recommends monitoring whether purchasing shifts from the previous product to the new one, while also keeping a close eye on product availability and fill rates.

Even the strongest procurement plan can fall short if locations cannot consistently receive the products they need. Holtz highlighted the importance of bringing Members, distributors, and manufacturers together to understand expected usage, evaluate supply capabilities, and determine the appropriate pace for implementation.

Technology is creating additional opportunities to make that data more useful. Holtz noted that Foodbuy teams are exploring applications of artificial intelligence ranging from data cleanup and reporting to forecasting and product recommendations. For his team specifically, AI can help standardize large datasets and create a stronger foundation for accurate procurement recommendations.

Building a Strategy Around the Business

Above all, Holtz emphasized that there is no single approach to procurement that works for every organization.

Foodbuy Hospitality begins by understanding a Member’s priorities, pain points, and existing processes. From there, support can be adapted based on what the organization actually needs, whether that means assistance with change management, distribution, reporting or other areas of procurement.

“Transparency and flexibility” are central to that approach, Holtz explained. Rather than forcing every organization into the same model, successful procurement partnerships require listening, adapting, and building a strategy around the needs of the individual business.

Watch the full LODGING Magazine virtual roundtable to hear more from Holtz and hospitality and leisure industry leaders on simplifying procurement and strengthening supply chain management.