Category Manager, Non-Food Procurement

Supply Chain
Dallas, TX
October 24, 2024

Category Manager, Non-Food Procurement

Job Summary

The Category Manager on our Non-food procurement team will be responsible for supporting Brinker team members in strategic sourcing activities for non-food spend categories (smallwares). They will focus on quality, continuity of supply, and cost while ensuring compliance with company standards. In addition, they will develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and internal business partners to ensure alignment between business strategy and sourcing execution. 

Your Key Job Functions

• Create, issue, and manage RFX (Requests for Information, Requests for Proposals) using appropriate department processes & technology.
• Analyze complex data, negotiate prices and terms, and develop contracting recommendations based on sound judgment, problem solving, and financial analysis.
• Ensure that appropriate business terms are incorporated into all resulting agreements.
• Ensure all suppliers have sufficient production and quality capabilities to meet Brinker's needs. 
• Manage production and inventory levels at supplier facilities to ensure reliability and lowest total cost while avoiding costs for obsolete inventory. 
• Develop and maintain long-term relationships with suppliers and internal business partners to leverage the company's knowledge and purchasing power and secure the best products, service, quality, delivery, and price in the industry.
• Continually seek out and develop new suppliers to ensure a competitive edge in the industry and the lowest possible cost to all Brinker restaurants.
• Provide regular reports to Supply Chain senior leadership on the status of key supplier initiatives, innovation, performance and stock levels for the assigned non-food categories.
• Manage day-to-day operational issues such as project management, product testing and rollouts, sourcing new products, and solving problems with assigned products 
• Support Culinary, Operations, Facilities, and Construction teams with product sourcing and development, supplier negotiations, and effective inventory management for new product implementation as well as replacement product.  
• Proactively stay informed on industry and market information, category specific trends, best-in-class suppliers, and competitor activity
• Address difficult product and stakeholder support issues to timely resolution in a positive and productive manner. 
• Ensure compliance with Brinker's Code of Business Conduct in dealings with all suppliers and distributors

What You Bring to the Team

• Required bachelor's degree or equivalent in experience, skills and training. 
• 5 - 15+ years of supply chain experience in the restaurant or hospitality industry required. 
• Previous experience with restaurant equipment, furniture, and fixtures strongly preferred.
• Proven technical non-food procurement knowledge, with a strong preference for product, raw materials markets (stainless steel, copper, components, etc. along with supplier capabilities.
• Proven experience with transportation and equipment installation
• Proven experience with planning and conducting complex negotiations and analysis of supplier pricing and capabilities. 
• Strong computer skills in Excel, Word and PowerPoint, and familiarity with sourcing software.
•  Working knowledge of Oracle or similar ERP system strongly preferred. 
• Proven ability to analyze complex data and make appropriate business judgments 
• Strong communication style, both verbal and written, with experience presenting complex ideas to varying levels of familiarity, adjusting style to their experience and needs
• High organization, attention to detail, and project management skills 
• A "self-starter" attitude that thrives in a fast paced and dynamic environment
• Experience with informing broad business strategies into action items and objectives