Senior Manager, Food Procurement (214107-886)

Restaurant Supply Chain Solutions, LLC, a Yum! Brands Co-op, is seeking a Senior Manager to join the Food Procurement team. This role drives category leadership to achieve breakthrough results in innovation, quality, service, risk reduction, and cost across food products for Yum! Brands (Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut, Habit Burger) and A&W.

Responsibilities

• Category Management & Leadership
  • Lead and support key category strategies for core food items, including agriculturally based products and side categories.
  • Develop effective sourcing strategies and execute the sourcing process to deliver breakthrough results.
  • Align sourcing plans with suppliers that meet or exceed quality, supply, innovation, and cost requirements.
  • Protect the business through timely, well-structured agreements.
  • Conduct capacity analysis and proactively manage supply for short- and long-term business continuity.
  • Develop, execute, and report cost savings projects to support targets and improve member margins.
  • Create item-level cost forecasts, deliver cost commitments, and provide reporting.
  • Serve as a subject matter expert for the category, including manufacturing processes, commodity markets, adjacent industry segments, and sustainability.
• Collaboration
  • Develop deep knowledge of each brand and how the category fits their business; build strategic relationships with key brand contacts.
  • Influence brand strategies to improve cost/efficiency, supply assurance, innovation, and consumer satisfaction.
  • Collaborate with the Commodity Risk Management team to develop and implement strategies to reduce commodity price volatility.
  • Work with suppliers and brands to drive breakthrough innovation, optimize food and packaging supply, and advance sustainability.
  • Partner with Operations and distribution teams to address supply concerns promptly by expediting product, modifying supplier allocations, or introducing solutions.
  • Develop, negotiate, and implement procurement strategies and contingency plans with cross-functional teams, including Brand Food Innovation, Quality Assurance, Operations, Marketing, Finance, RSCS Operations, Commodity Risk Management, Supplier Diversity, International Program Management, Suppliers, Distributors, and Franchisees.
• Initiative Execution
  • Drive successful innovation and supply chain initiatives to support the Brand Marketing Calendar and other key business objectives.
  • Work across Procurement and broader RSCS resources to drive continuous improvement in processes and tools.
• Supplier Relationship Management
  • Develop appropriate supplier relationships based on category and business needs; transform supplier support models to drive meaningful improvement.
  • Build alignment to supplier strategies and deliverables across stakeholders to maximize impact and results.
  • Influence suppliers' decision-making and investments to support RSCS/YUM! Brand business needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Supply Chain, or a related field required; Master’s or MBA preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of procurement experience and at least 7 years of broader supply chain experience.
• Experience in food/packaging manufacturing or the restaurant/QSR industry preferred.

Skills

• Strong analytical, planning, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Superior organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Solutions-oriented, proactive, and results-driven.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with the ability to shift gears quickly.
• Ability to collaborate, influence, and build strong cross-functional stakeholder relationships.
• Ability to anticipate potential issues and proactively build mitigation strategies.
• Experience establishing, building, and maintaining relationships at all organizational levels.
• Effective facilitator, influencer, and team builder.
• Ability to present work effectively across various organizational levels.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Advanced Excel skills required.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Programs (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Retirement plan.
• Paid vacation, holidays, and floating holidays.
• Free lunch on Wednesdays.
• Additional benefits available.

Schedule

Hybrid: 3 days in the office, 2 days remote.