Robert Freeman
FORT WORTH
Summary
Veteran Purchasing Manager bringing 26 years of experience focused on actualizing high-quality, cost-effective food and beverage procurement solutions in the theme park industry. Talented in leading projects, directing logistics and managing inventory needs. Dedicated to maintaining schedules and budgets while enhancing operational performance.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Corporate Manager Food and Beverage
Six Flags Entertainment Company
07.2024 - 12.2025
- Oversaw the transfer of Six Flags procurement to new Six Flags Company.
- Assisted with integration of inventory accounting software into Cedar Fair parks.
- Corporate point person for all company food service equipment purchases and installation on 40 kitchen CAPEX projects.
- Worked closely with the company corporate chef and corporate design team on kitchen remodels and ground up builds.
- National corporate contact for all franchises. Includes Cinnabon, Auntie Anne's, Starbucks, Panda Express, and Fat Brands.
Corporate Purchasing Manager Food & Beverage
Six Flags Entertainment
12.2006 - 07.2024
- Oversee 125 million in F&B purchases for all 25 Six Flags Domestic Parks
- Work directly with over 200 National Account Executives representing manufactures and distributors of food, beverage and paper goods.
- Handle RFPs with approved suppliers and negotiate program deals and terms to ensure best pricing and service
- Manage relationships between parks and National vendors
- Direct contact with graphic designers on menu creative and production of all park digital and physical menus and “at location” point of sales materials for National food programs.
- Involved in implementation of several franchise concepts. Brands include Fat Burger, Johnny Rockets, Coldstone Creamery, Auntie Ann's, Slurpee, Starbuck's, Panda Express, Cinnabon, Subway, and Papa John's.
- Work closely with VP of Corporate Sponsorships on food programs that provide cost saving products along with paid marketing programs.
- Develop annual calendars of National LTO programs to drive food awareness and generate new "News" to our season pass holders.
- Oversee the Corporate F&B team responsible for maintaining all F&B inventory, recipes, costing, calorie and nutritionals for all National SF Parks.
- Create internal National restaurant concepts that provide consistency and product savings. Ex: JB's BBQ, Primo's Pizzeria, Macho Nacho, Six Below, World Greatest Funnel Cake, Chop Six.
- Create mitigations strategies to offset price increase. Ex: packaging, portioning, product spec changes, equipment, robotics
- Point person on product recalls and vendor plant audits
- Work with parks and food suppliers on equipment to support sale of suppliers products. Ex: Pretzel warming cabinets, Icee equipment, cheese dispensers, beverage kiosk
- Solved diverse supply chain problems involving numerous sources, logistics and scheduling factors.
- Implemented policies to reduce cost and eliminate waste.
- Developed and initiated incentive and recognition programs for park management teams.
- Generated product movement reports, documents and analysis in Eatec for senior management review and approval.
Education
High School Diploma -
Lee Davis High School
Mechanicsville, VA06-1989
Skills
- Profit and Loss Understanding
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Bid Process Management
- Procurement Expertise
- Reporting Knowledge
- Purchasing Management
- Cost Savings
- Product Availability
- Waste Reduction
- Kitchen Design and Equipment Procurement
- Inventory Control Processes
- Purchasing Strategies Development
- Contract Performance Monitoring
- Direct negotiations with suppliers and distributors
Timeline
Corporate Manager Food and Beverage
Six Flags Entertainment Company
07.2024 - 12.2025
Corporate Purchasing Manager Food & Beverage
Six Flags Entertainment
12.2006 - 07.2024
High School Diploma -
Lee Davis High School