How Woolworths at Work helped G8 Education streamline food procurement and preparation

I love being organised and the Woolworths at Work deliveries always help me with that because they're always here on time, ready for me to start my day.

From manual to managed – the change that worked for G8

Supporting over 32,000 families and employing 10,000 staff, G8 needed a partner that could streamline efficiency, deliver greater value with a cost-effective basket of groceries, and align to high nutritional standards. Before partnering with Enterprise+ by Woolworths at Work, manual processes and disconnected systems made ordering slow and inconsistent.

Woolworths at Work delivered a tailored B2B solution to streamline ordering, improve visibility, and support centre staff through every step.

Watch the G8 Education video case study

Challenges before switching to Woolworths at Work

Prior to partnering with Enterprise+ by Woolworths at Work, G8 Education were using Coles for Business and faced challenges with complex back-end processes, manual ordering systems, and a need for a strategic partner who understood the nuances of their business structure. These manual processes were time-consuming and made it difficult to maintain consistency across the network of centres. Finding a partner who could integrate with their existing systems and support their key strategic priorities, including child food safety and adhering to nutritional guidelines, was crucial.

The benefits of an expert procurement partnership

Woolworths at Work provided a multifaceted solution addressing G8 Education’s challenges. Here’s why:

Meal preparation with Menu Plan & Order

Menu Plan & Order is an online feature that offers pre-filled and customisable menu plans for Enterprise+ by Woolworths at Work Learn & Care customers. It allows centres to select recipes, input daily child attendance numbers, and order precise ingredient quantities:

1. Minimising over-ordering and budget overruns.
2. Ensuring consistency and quality across their vast network, the recipes are developed by accredited nutritionists and adhere to Australian Dietary Guidelines, ACECQA standards, along with state-based programs including Munch & Move, Caring for Children Manual and Long Day Care.
3. This approach saves significant time, allowing chefs and cooks to focus on preparing delicious meals.
4. The recipes are also particularly helpful for staff with varying levels of experience.

Menu Plan & Order is great. It’s very convenient for our centre… I don’t have to think about what to cook for the children – I just follow their Menu Plan for a full week. It saves a lot of time.

Streamlined ordering and deliveries

Reliable weekly deliveries, with flexible delivery windows, ensure centres are consistently stocked. The convenience of having all supplies delivered from a single source eliminates the need to shop around with multiple suppliers, saving time and reducing costs. As Rachael mentions, she appreciates the organised system, stating “Ordering is so easy. Everything is already online. All I have to do is select my menu and recipes for the week, and it’s all there. I just press a button and it’s done.”

Woolworths at Work In-store Card

The in-store card provides flexibility for last-minute purchases and special events, with all transactions automatically tracked and invoiced. As everything can be bought on account, it eliminates the need for manual receipts, staff using personal funds, and simplifies budget management. 

The Woolworths at Work In-store Card is really convenient. It allows us to pop down to the store and grab anything we need. We often use it for events.

Integrated invoicing

The seamless integration of invoicing with G8 Education’s existing systems provides greater visibility and control over expenses. Invoices are automatically generated and readily accessible, simplifying budget tracking and reporting for centre managers. This eliminates the need to manually manage receipts and ensures accurate financial records.

G8 Preferred Lists

Curated lists of cost-effective staple products, aligned with nutritional guidelines, ensure centres have access to quality ingredients and the value they need. This simplifies the ordering process and helps maintain consistency across the network.

Dedicated support

Enterprise+ by Woolworths at Work‘s dedicated support team provides assistance with any queries or issues, further streamlining the process and ensuring a smooth experience for G8 Education staff. 

We really value the relationship with Woolworths at Work – we see it as a strategic partnership…the support has been above and beyond.

Results and benefits

The partnership with Woolworths at Work has delivered significant benefits for G8 Education, including:

• Increased efficiency: Streamlined processes save time for centre staff, allowing them to focus on providing quality care for children
• Cost savings: Reduced over-ordering, access to cost-effective products, and streamlined procurement processes contribute to significant cost savings.
• Improved consistency: Standardised recipes and preferred product lists ensure consistency in meal quality and nutritional value across all centres.
• Enhanced food safety: Allergen information readily available in Menu Plan & Order and on product labels to look after children with dietary restrictions.
• Simplified budget management: Integrated invoicing and automated tracking of expenses simplifies budget management for centre managers.
• Stronger partnership: G8 Education views the relationship with Woolworths at Work as a strategic partnership, built on trust and mutual support.