The agreement covers procurement management of wholesale, dairy, fresh produce, butchery, sandwiches, beverages and alcohol, and non-food supplies. It runs for an initial three-year term, with the option to extend for one further year.
Contract term: Three years, with the option to extend for one further year
Categories covered: Wholesale, dairy, fresh produce, butchery, sandwiches, beverages and alcohol, and non-food supplies
Technology: Avendra International’s Pi P2P system
Key capabilities: Online ordering, purchase coding, menu and recipe management, allergen management, stock management, waste recording and reporting
Procurement support: Local supply options, compliance support and consolidated supplier payments
Core outcomes: Cost savings, purchasing efficiency, greater control and reduced administration
Improving catering procurement and purchasing efficiency
Matt Weston, Associate Director of Food & Beverage at Birkbeck, University of London, said:
“We wanted a procurement partner who could help us achieve cost savings while making purchasing simpler for our teams. Finding a system that could meet our operational needs was an important part of that decision.”
“Avendra International brings together procurement expertise, access to local suppliers and practical technology through its Pi system. This will help us manage ordering, menus and stock more efficiently, giving our teams the tools and support they need to continue to develop a high-quality, customer-focused food and beverage service.”
The partnership will combine specialist procurement support with a local supply chain, compliance support and consolidated supplier payments. Together, these services will help Birkbeck University identify savings opportunities, strengthen purchasing controls and reduce administration.
Avendra International’s Pi P2P system will help Birkbeck University’s team to streamline everyday tasks, from online ordering and purchase coding to managing menus, recipes and allergen information. It will also give teams greater visibility of stock and waste, helping them control costs and use resources more efficiently.
Michelle Parnham, Sales Director - UK, Avendra International, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Birkbeck University of London to Avendra International. The team had clear priorities: achieving savings, improving efficiency and finding a procurement system that works for their organisation.
“Our role is to bring those elements together. By combining procurement expertise and local supply options with consolidated payments and our Pi system, we can help make day-to-day purchasing easier and support the team in managing costs and resources effectively.”
FAQs
How can universities reduce catering procurement costs and improve purchasing efficiency?
Avendra International works with universities and higher education organisations to identify opportunities for better value across food, beverage and non-food procurement. By combining procurement expertise, supplier management, spend visibility and technology, we can help catering teams strengthen purchasing controls, simplify processes and manage costs more effectively.
What food and non-food categories can universities procure through Avendra International?
Avendra International can support universities across a broad range of food, beverage and non-food categories. Depending on an organisation’s requirements, this can include wholesale, dairy, fresh produce, meat and butchery, sandwiches, beverages and non-food supplies.
How can Avendra International’s eProcurement technology support university catering teams?
Avendra International’s Pi system helps university catering teams streamline day-to-day purchasing while providing greater visibility and control across their operations. Pi supports online product ordering, purchase coding, invoice management, menu and recipe management, allergen information, stock management, waste recording and reporting, helping teams reduce administration and make more informed purchasing decisions.
What procurement options does Avendra International offer universities and higher education organisations?
Avendra International offers both ready-made and bespoke procurement solutions, allowing universities and higher education organisations to choose an approach that reflects their operational and purchasing requirements. Ready-made solutions provide access to established procurement arrangements, while bespoke solutions can be developed around an organisation’s specific requirements and objectives.
Can Avendra International help universities work with local suppliers?
Yes. Avendra International can support access to local and specialist suppliers as part of a university’s procurement approach, helping higher education catering teams develop a supply chain that reflects their operational requirements while benefiting from procurement support, supplier management and purchasing controls.
About Avendra International
Avendra International is a global procurement and supply chain partner serving hospitality, healthcare, care, education and leisure organisations.
Combining purchasing expertise, supplier relationships, data-driven insights and innovative technology, Avendra International helps organisations save money, improve spend visibility, strengthen procurement governance, optimise supplier performance, support sustainability goals and drive operational efficiencies.
Through solutions including the Avendra Pi procure-to-pay platform, organisations gain greater control over purchasing activity while improving collaboration across procurement, finance and operational teams.
Looking to improve catering procurement across your university?
From cost optimisation and supplier management to local supply options, eProcurement technology and greater spend visibility, Avendra International helps universities and higher education organisations strengthen purchasing control and improve efficiency across food, beverage and non-food procurement.
Get in touch to discover how our higher education procurement expertise, ready-made and bespoke solutions, and Pi technology can support your organisation.
