Category Manager, Packaging & Disposables

Essential Functions

• Strategic Sourcing
  • Lead all strategic planning activities related to sourcing of packaging and disposables including development of business plans, pricing strategies for core and LTO products, identifying opportunities related to supply chain and mitigating supply risks based on forecasted demand with contingency plans
  • Discover and create partnerships; develop Best-In-Class supplier relationships
  • Serve as the procurement and contract expert for packaging and disposables
  • Spearhead negotiations with suppliers that deliver best total value including quality, cost, service, and access to innovation
  • Work collaboratively with Supply Chain and legal to execute agreements with the best possible terms that align with Focus Brand strategies and standards
  • Propose ideal contracting methods, language, and strategies
  • Research and anticipate shifts in the negotiating power of suppliers
  • Design and lead RFI/RFPs, awarding business deals through disciplined procurement process
  • Perform cost and scenario analysis to ensure that Focus Brands has an excellent understanding of the supply market
  • Manage all aspects of the supplier relationship including business reviews and supplier scorecards; Ensure supplier performance achieves financial objectives and delivers required level of service
  • Assess and develop supplier capabilities to create opportunities that align with R&D and brand strategies
  • Support the implementation of strategic processes and technologies to drive efficiencies across the team. This should include sourcing, order placement/fulfillment process, as well as vendor compliance
  • Seek continuous cost savings improvement opportunities to improve company COGS
  • Collaborate with the logistics and distribution functions to ensure products are sourced and available to support all franchisee orders while minimizing out-of-stocks
  • Coach and mentor a Sourcing Analyst
• Cross-functional Communication & Collaboration
  • Proactively identify improvement opportunities and create innovative win-win customer and supplier strategies that are regularly shared with Procurement leadership, R&D and the seven Focus Brands
  • Serve as subject matter expert and dedicated team resource on sourcing best practices, negotiations, contracts, processes, and systems
• Reporting & Analysis
  • Maintains database for all FSC managed fields to ensure data integrity and architecture
  • Ensure all agreements are fully executed and loaded into Focus Brands contract management systems
  • Prepares and tracks supplier performance scorecards and reports as they relate to contract compliance
  • Performs regular reviews of supplier performance (service quality, financial results, supplier scorecard)
  • Supports quarterly business reviews with reporting and analysis
  • Reports monthly on supplier improvement and innovation opportunities

Job Summary
Focus Brands has an exciting opportunity for a Category Manager specializing in Packaging & Disposables.
This position is responsible for the Company's packaging and disposables categories. This position is primarily responsible for securing the overall best value and best cost programs for our restaurants via identifying, qualifying, and orchestrating deals with new and existing sources of supply. In addition, the Category Manager will work collaboratively with management and internal stakeholders to facilitate product innovation and specification recommendations, negotiate pricing and contracts, stay current on category trends/legislation/advancements, analyze commodities markets, mitigate risk and manage contingency plans, track supplier quality and savings, and maintain sufficient levels of inventories and production to support forecasts.
The Category Manager position will sit in the Focus Brand Headquarters in Atlanta, GA and report directly to the Director of Procurement.
Education

• Bachelor's Degree, Supply Chain Management, Packaging Engineering, Packaging Science, Accounting or related field, Req

Work Experience

• 5+ years, related experience preferably in multiple aspects of Supply Chain/Procurement or Category Management
• 4-5+ years, experience with packaging and disposables industries - able to demonstrate proficient knowledge in the packaging category including cost drivers, trends, new product development/innovation opportunities, products and suppliers, pricing strategies, sustainability, and raw material/commodity knowledge
• 3-4+ years, related experience with strategic sourcing including negotiation, contract execution, business planning, supply chain strategies, complex pricing and costs structures associated with supply chains
• 3+ years, related experience developing and executing multiple projects simultaneously and within budget/schedule, ability to manage multiple priorities
• History of strong negotiation skills and the ability to lead effectively and resolve conflict
• Demonstrated ability to influence decision-makers and effectively interact with stakeholders
• Experience in the foodservice and/or restaurant industries

Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of Supply Chain/Category Management/Foodservice Pricing
• Demonstrated ability to influence key decision-makers and to effectively interact with partners and customers
• History of strong negotiation skills and the ability to lead effectively and resolve conflict
• Strong critical thinking skills, ability to exercise independent judgment and manage complexity and ambiguity
• Demonstrated ability to work under constant pressure in an undefined, ever-changing environment
• General knowledge of accounting, financial information, budgets, and program performance
• Excel skills (modeling, goal seek, vlookup, index (match), pivot tables, nested IF statements
• PowerPoint, Outlook, Word, ArrowStream, PowerBI, iCertis, Atlassian (Jira/Confluence), Decision Logic, Palantir, or other foodservice contract management technology
• Ability to work cross-functionally in a collaborative manner
• Strong written and verbal communication skills Process-oriented
• Proficiency in Project Management
• Excellent risk management methodologies and problem resolution techniques