Supply Chain Agent

About the role

The Purchasing Agent is responsible for sourcing, negotiation, contracting, cost control, inventory management, and other procurement functions for designated product categories. This includes executing and enforcing purchase agreements, monitoring supplier floor stock, updating pricing changes, and sourcing supplies for marketing activities. The role involves maintaining regular communication with suppliers and/or distributors to ensure compliance with purchase agreements in terms of cost, quality, product specification, and inventory. Additional responsibilities include ad hoc analysis, reporting, and communication via presentations to management.

Responsibilities

• Completes documented RFP solicitation process, obtains and analyzes competitive bids from suppliers, conducts negotiations on pricing, manufacturing capacity, quality compliance, inventory levels, and product lead times for assigned categories. Makes recommendations based on the supplier best meeting all attributes, often using formula cost models.
• Develops agreements that include key categories, documenting negotiated terms from the solicitation process. Manages the process of fully executing agreements in a timely fashion.
• Manages supplier relationships to support corporate goals and resolve product or supplier issues to ensure satisfaction and positive resolutions. Ensures suppliers submit accurate and timely price changes in accordance with agreements and that pricing is communicated accurately to distribution partners.
• Ensures suppliers' production meets the needs of the company.
• Develops collaborative relationships with suppliers to address delivery dates, technical problems, material deviations, damage claims, etc. Works closely with Quality Control, Culinary Innovation, and Inventory Management to overcome obstacles.
• Supports Marketing initiatives, including limited-time offers (LTOs) and new menu items, by identifying suppliers, forecasting needs, and managing supplier inventory.
• Participates in developing procurement strategies, including requirements planning, alternative sourcing, purchasing timing, and inventory level adjustments.
• Makes recommendations for responsible commodities, communicates approved positions, and provides routine position variance reporting.
• Participates in the establishment of a company-wide food cost budget. Evaluates and analyzes previous contracts, performs market research to establish pricing trends, and investigates market conditions.
• Participates in company meetings, webinars, and conference calls.
• Serves as a daily resource for corporate personnel, company operators, and franchise operators for product specification, sourcing, review, pricing, lead time, warranty, service, and problem resolution.
• Performs other duties and/or special projects as assigned in response to changing business conditions and/or requirements.

Requirements

• Approximately three (3) years of experience and/or education demonstrating a commanding knowledge of food purchasing responsibility, preferably in foodservice.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business or a related field preferred.
• Working knowledge of product specifications and distribution.
• Strong background in both quantitative and qualitative analysis.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with all levels of management both internally and externally.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to identify and implement process improvement strategies.
• Strong work ethic and commitment to completing duties to a high standard of quality.
• Consistently exercises independent judgment and discretion in matters of significance.

Work Environment

• Fast-paced, high-volume, and deadline-driven environment at the Restaurant Support Center.
• Constant interaction with internal and external partners by phone and/or electronic communications.
• Sitting for extended periods, using a telephone, typing, and/or operating a computer and/or mouse.
• Travel as needed, approximately ten percent (10%).