Harlech Foodservice recruits a new head of purchasing & marketing

Harlech Foodservice has appointed Matt Flynn as head of purchasing & marketing.

He takes charge of the wholesaler’s growth into the North West and Midlands from its new base in Chester.

Flynn (pictured) previously worked for global mining company Anglo American before switching to the food sector as a buyer at Princes. For the last four years he has been purchasing director at Green Gourmet, which develops and manufactures bespoke products for global airlines, UK foodservice and retail.

Commenting on his new role, Flynn said: “Harlech is a very different kind of business – I was managing 200 products [at Green Gourment], but this is more like 4,000, so this is a bigger enterprise and a bigger challenge.

“The most attractive thing was the idea of growing the business geographically, developing a new team and launching the Chester branch.”

With the new Chester/Welsh team, Flynn is embarking on a number of projects as part of the company’s own ‘build back better’ initiative.

“Our geography in North Wales means we are perfectly placed to service the tourism trade, who can use our website to order food right up until 10pm for next-day delivery,” he said. “But to expand into the North West and Midlands, which forms part of our future strategy, we need a depot here in the Chester area, close to the M6 corridor.

“I’m well on the way to building a world-class team, allowing our new office to be a business hub where sales people can meet with customers and purchasing with key supply partners.

“My vision is about being long-term and strategic, rather than just short-term and operational, and that’s one of the things that attracted me to the job.”

Harlech Foodservice (01766) 810810

Published Date: December 3, 2021
Category: Wholesale Industry News