Supply Chain Category Manager - Packaging
About The Position
The Packaging Category Manager will lead the strategy and commercial management of Wingstop’s approximately $100 million annual packaging spend. This role is accountable for ensuring that packaging solutions deliver the right balance of cost, quality, performance, sustainability, innovation, and supply continuity across Wingstop’s restaurant system. You will develop and execute category strategies, lead competitive sourcing and negotiations, manage supplier performance, and identify opportunities to reduce total cost and mitigate risk. Working closely with Operations, Culinary, Marketing, Quality Assurance, Finance, and Distribution, you will support new product launches, restaurant growth, packaging innovation, and an exceptional guest experience. This position requires a commercially driven category leader who can translate market intelligence, operational requirements, and data into actionable sourcing strategies and measurable business results.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or a related field.
- 5+ years of progressive experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, or category management.
- Experience in sourcing and procurement in QSR, food service, food manufacturing, FMCG food, or consumer packaged food products strongly preferred.
- Proven experience developing procurement category strategies, leading supplier sourcing (RFIs/RFPs), commercial negotiations, contract management, and supplier performance management.
- Strong analytical skills with experience using data to identify trends, perform root cause analysis, and support business decisions.
- Senior project management, organizational, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and manage multiple priorities.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint; Power BI or similar data visualization tools are a plus.
- Curiosity to leverage AI and digital tools to improve procurement analysis, reporting, and decision-making.
- Ability to travel up to 10%
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute the category strategy for approximately $100 million in annual packaging spend, balancing cost, quality, service, innovation, sustainability, and supply continuity.
- Lead competitive sourcing, supplier selection, contract negotiations, and implementation across food-contact packaging and restaurant disposables.
- Deliver annual savings, cost-avoidance, purchase-price variance, and working-capital objectives using market intelligence, cost models, and total-cost-of-ownership analysis.
- Manage strategic supplier relationships and performance across quality, service, capacity, cost, innovation, sustainability, and contractual compliance.
- Monitor packaging commodities, legislation, and market conditions, including resin, paper, fiber, aluminum, freight, and labor. and translate changes into sourcing and risk-management actions.
- Partner with Legal and Quality Assurance to monitor evolving packaging regulations and Extended Producer Responsibility requirements, assess business impacts, support reporting obligations, and develop compliance strategies.
- Partner with Operations, Culinary, Marketing, Quality Assurance, Finance, and Distribution to commercialize new packaging, support product launches, and implement value-engineering initiatives.
- Develop supply-continuity strategies, including supplier diversification, capacity planning, contingency plans, and alternative material or manufacturing solutions.
- Lead packaging conversions and supplier transitions, ensuring effective testing, stakeholder alignment, supplier inventory management, and systemwide implementation.
- Use data and analytics to manage budgets, forecasts, pricing, contracts, supplier performance, inventory, and category risks while providing clear recommendations to leadership.
Benefits
- Unlimited paid time off for exempt employees
- One paid volunteer day of your choice
- Competitive bonus structure for eligible roles
- Team member stock purchase plan
- Health savings or flexible spending account options
- 401k – (dollar for dollar on the first 3% and then 50 cents on the dollar for the next 2% for team member contributions up to 5% of eligible compensation)
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
- Basic life and AD&D insurance provided
- Pet insurance
- Education Assistance
- Wellness reimbursement program
- Paid maternity and paternity leave
- Lunch provided every Tuesday and Thursday in office
- Discount on Wingstop gift cards
- Onsite game room
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
