Category Specialist

Topgolf • Dallas, TX

2d

About The Position

Job Responsibilities 1. Category Management Develop and execute category strategies aligned with culinary, operations, and financial goals Manage sourcing, RFPs/RFQs, and contract negotiations with manufacturers, distributors, and local suppliers Partner with culinary teams on menu development, product specification, and cost engineering Rationalize SKUs while maintaining flexibility for regional preferences and LTOs (limited-time offers) Monitor commodity trends (proteins, produce, packaging) and proactively manage cost and supply risk Deliver measurable cost savings and margin improvement 2. Distribution Network Management Design and manage distribution strategy across: Non-food distributors (e.g., Ed Don, Vestis, RTI & NuCO2) Direct Store Delivery (DSD) suppliers Regional vs. national supply models Optimize delivery cadence, order minimums, and case configurations to balance freshness, labor efficiency, and cost Ensure cold chain compliance and food safety standards across all nodes Drive continuous improvement in network efficiency and service reliability 3. Inventory, Availability & Waste Optimization Support implementation and maintenance of inventory and procurement systems Align category decisions with operational realities (storage constraints, throughput, prep complexity) 4. Supplier & Distributor Performance Management Own supplier and distributor relationships and performance outcomes Develop and manage scorecards focused on: Fill rate / in-stock performance On-time delivery (OTIF) Product quality and consistency Responsiveness and issue resolution Lead business reviews with key partners Ensure compliance with contracts, pricing agreements, and service-level expectations 5. Venue Operations & New Store Openings Act as a key supply chain partner to venue operators and regional leadership Support new venue openings, ensuring sourcing, logistics, and inventory readiness Coordinate supply chain support for promotions, seasonal menus, and events Rapidly resolve supply disruptions that impact guest experience 6. Financial Management & KPIs Manage category spend and distribution costs across all venues Track and deliver against key KPIs: Distribution cost per case In-stock / fill rate % Identify and execute cost reduction and value engineering initiatives 7. Risk Management & Compliance Identify and mitigate supply chain risks (supplier constraints, logistics disruptions, commodity volatility) Develop contingency plans and secondary sourcing strategies Support QA with compliance with food safety, regulatory, and company standards

Requirements

• Deep understanding of foodservice distribution models
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills
• Ability to balance cost, quality, and guest experience
• Analytical mindset with strong financial acumen
• Cross-functional leadership (culinary, operations, finance)
• Advanced user of MS Office Suite, ERP, procurement, and inventory systems

Nice To Haves

• Experience in high-volume, multi-unit environments (e.g., eatertainment, casual dining,)
• Experience supporting rapid expansion or new venue openings

Responsibilities

• Category Management Develop and execute category strategies aligned with culinary, operations, and financial goals Manage sourcing, RFPs/RFQs, and contract negotiations with manufacturers, distributors, and local suppliers Partner with culinary teams on menu development, product specification, and cost engineering Rationalize SKUs while maintaining flexibility for regional preferences and LTOs (limited-time offers) Monitor commodity trends (proteins, produce, packaging) and proactively manage cost and supply risk Deliver measurable cost savings and margin improvement
• Distribution Network Management Design and manage distribution strategy across: Non-food distributors (e.g., Ed Don, Vestis, RTI & NuCO2) Direct Store Delivery (DSD) suppliers Regional vs. national supply models Optimize delivery cadence, order minimums, and case configurations to balance freshness, labor efficiency, and cost Ensure cold chain compliance and food safety standards across all nodes Drive continuous improvement in network efficiency and service reliability
• Inventory, Availability & Waste Optimization Support implementation and maintenance of inventory and procurement systems Align category decisions with operational realities (storage constraints, throughput, prep complexity)
• Supplier & Distributor Performance Management Own supplier and distributor relationships and performance outcomes Develop and manage scorecards focused on: Fill rate / in-stock performance On-time delivery (OTIF) Product quality and consistency Responsiveness and issue resolution Lead business reviews with key partners Ensure compliance with contracts, pricing agreements, and service-level expectations
• Venue Operations & New Store Openings Act as a key supply chain partner to venue operators and regional leadership Support new venue openings, ensuring sourcing, logistics, and inventory readiness Coordinate supply chain support for promotions, seasonal menus, and events Rapidly resolve supply disruptions that impact guest experience
• Financial Management & KPIs Manage category spend and distribution costs across all venues Track and deliver against key KPIs: Distribution cost per case In-stock / fill rate % Identify and execute cost reduction and value engineering initiatives
• Risk Management & Compliance Identify and mitigate supply chain risks (supplier constraints, logistics disruptions, commodity volatility) Develop contingency plans and secondary sourcing strategies Support QA with compliance with food safety, regulatory, and company standards

Benefits

• Free Play & 1/2 price food!
• Health, dental, vision, 401(k) playmaker match, free mental well-being platform – and that’s just for starters for those who qualify.
• View playmaker benefits here.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees