Associate Manager – Procurement (Food Categories)

Quality Supply Chain Co-op, Inc.•Dublin, OH

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

QSCC is seeking an Associate Manager – Procurement to join their dynamic team. This role will play a critical part in supporting the growth, profitability, and continued success of The Wendy's Company and QSCC Members. The Associate Manager will lead key food categories, shaping sourcing strategies to ensure a reliable supply of high-quality products while identifying opportunities to optimize cost, improve service, enhance quality, and mitigate risk. This role involves partnering closely with suppliers, distributors, and cross-functional stakeholders to influence business decisions that support menu innovation. The ideal candidate will leverage market insights, industry trends, and strong negotiation skills to secure competitive pricing and create value across the supply chain. Responsibilities include developing strategic supplier relationships, leading sourcing initiatives, managing category performance, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and brand standards. This is an ideal opportunity for a procurement professional who enjoys balancing strategy and execution, excels at relationship building, and is energized by making a measurable impact on a growing business.

Requirements

Minimum of three (3) years of experience in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, or related field strongly preferred; experience in food and packaging a plus.
Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Supply Chain Management or Logistics (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
Understanding of and experience in the food service industry
Understanding of the foodservice supplier community preferred. Experience working with external/supplier partners required.
Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Strong customer service orientation with the ability to influence, collaborate, and drive results in a matrixed environment.
Ability to analyze complex data to identify trends to support strategic business decisions.
Experience developing meaningful reports, dashboards, and/or presentations that translate data into actionable insights for cross-functional stakeholders.
Strong proficiency in Excel and data analysis tools, with the ability to manage multiple data sources, measure key performance indicators (KPIs), and communicate findings clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Willingness to embrace challenges, learn from successes and setbacks, and leverage those experiences to identify opportunities for continuous improvement, innovation, and operational excellence.
Ability to build collaborative working relationships.
Builds a network while being honest, transparent, and responsible in their business dealings to contribute to the long-term success and reputation of themselves and the Wendy’s system.
Entrepreneurial mindset. Proactive in seeking out opportunities, flexible and able to adapt to changing circumstances, determined and persistent to push through challenges.

Nice To Haves

Commodity market knowledge is a plus
Experience working with franchisees is a plus!

Responsibilities

Manage assigned categories by building strong, productive relationships with suppliers and serving as a key point of contact for category-related initiatives.
Analyze supplier capabilities, market dynamics, operational performance, and business needs to identify and implement opportunities that improve quality, reduce costs, strengthen service levels, and mitigate risk.
Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to execute category strategies that deliver competitive products, sustainable value, support innovation, and ensure alignment with organizational goals.
Partner with supervisor to develop structured sourcing strategy and process for assigned categories.
Implement and manage sourcing processes for assigned categories to ensure an uninterrupted supply of products and services.
Support and participate in negotiation of agreements, contract management for best value and compliance with standard legal and business terms and conditions.
Collaborate with internal project management department, cross-functional stakeholders, Wendy’s QA, Operations, and in some instances Corporate Social Responsibility/Environment, Sustainability, & Governance teams.
Collaborate with external supplier community to maintain adequate supply plans, expedite order processing, current and growth capacity, contingency plans, and other risk mitigating activities.
Ensure procurement information, including supplier, product, and pricing details, is consistently accurate and up to date, enabling effective category management, reporting, and execution of business objectives.
Provide monthly Cost of Goods/Budget updates to finance and support internal pricing system and processes for assigned categories.
Stay abreast of current micro and macro market conditions, industry issues, trends, and innovation by following pertinent industry-related sources of information, conducting at a minimum annual key business review with strategic suppliers, and attending relative conferences and/or continuing education events.
Other duties as assigned