Procurement Category Manager

Company Description

Centralized Supply Chain Services, LLC (CSCS®) is the exclusive purchasing agent for the Applebee’s and IHOP systems and voted one of Kansas City's Best Places to Work.

Formed as a purchasing cooperative to leverage the combined buying power of both systems, CSCS currently manages approximately $2 billion in spend on behalf of its Member operators.

CSCS’s primary mission is two-fold. First, to assure that Member operators receive the benefit of continuously available goods and distribution services in adequate quantities at the lowest sustainable delivered prices;

and second, to coordinate with Applebee’s and IHOP in their ongoing efforts to develop new and innovative products and programs to promote their respective concepts.

We are a team of passionate supply chain professionals that are highly engaged in the success of our Member restaurants.

CSCS has a dynamic culture and lives out its core values of Results Driven, Integrity, Accountability, Continuous Improvement, Community and Member Focused.

CSCS promotes an inclusive environment through continuous improvement with training and development and building a culture where differences are supported, encouraged, and valued.

Role Description

• Identification and development of Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment and Smallwares products to include validation, identification of alternate options, and supplier selection process in conjunction with the Brands’ Culinary, Operations, and Development teams.
• Responsible for assigned category procurement activities supporting Applebee’s and IHOP restaurants and franchisees. Responsible for $100MM - $250MM category spend.

Develop strategic contracts and pricing agreements for all assigned products leveraging negotiation strategies and tactics.

Accountable to deliver the lowest sustainable prices and ensure continuity of supply of all products / services for assigned categories that meet specification for the Co-op's Members.

Coordinate with manufacturers, end-suppliers, and Brand cross-functional teams (Culinary, Operations, Marketing, Development) to identify savings opportunities that can be implemented and realized.

• Assess and determine opportunities to leverage the combined buying power of Applebee's and IHOP systems for assigned categories.
• Assist the Brands in the development and testing of new products.
• Manage projects to develop alternate sources of products or optimize existing products while maintaining required specifications to effectively deliver cost management benefits to the Co-op's Members.

Required :

5 years’ experience working in restaurant operations and / or restaurant facilities management

• Experience with customer service
• Demonstrated knowledge of cost benefit analysis
• Basic understanding of restaurant equipment and facilities
• Project management experience
• Microsoft Office experience required

Ideal :

• Procurement background
13 days ago