Harlech promotes Josie Swift to head of purchasing

Harlech Foodservice has promoted Josie Swift to head of purchasing.

Swift (pictured) joined the wholesaler two years ago as a purchasing assistant. Within six months she was supply chain manager, heading up a team dealing with all the company’s purchasing.

Before moving into the wholesale industry, Swift ran pubs for Greene King.

Harlech managing director David Cattrall commented: “The top levels of the catering industry are generally dominated by men, even though women make most food purchasing decisions, and it is great to see a woman promoted on merit to bring some balance to our previously all-male leadership team.”

Swift played a major role in organising the annual Harlech Food Expo at Llandudno which generated a record £600,000 in orders and attracted over 2,500 trade customers.

Her promotion means she now heads up the team responsible for buying 5,000 product lines for the Criccieth-based wholesaler, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year and is on course to double its turnover to more than £50 million after announcing a major contract with NHS Wales.

Harlech Foodservice has bases in Criccieth and Chester. Between the two locations, the company employs around 200 staff and runs a fleet of 50 vehicles to deliver to cafés, restaurants, pubs and public sector customers across North and Mid-Wales, Shropshire, the Midlands and the North West.