Associate Category Manager

About The Role

As a Category Manager overseeing direct procurement food categories, you’ll be the strategic force behind the products that power our restaurants. In this high-visibility role, your decisions shape the guest experience and operational efficiency across hundreds of restaurants. You’ll support and lead sourcing strategy, supplier negotiations, contract management, and cost optimization for food categories. With a sharp eye for data and a fearless approach to problem-solving, you’ll drive innovation, cross-functional collaboration, ensure supply continuity, and deliver value that reflects our unapologetically original brand.

Key Responsibilities

• Support end-to-end category management for assigned food ingredients and product categories.
• Assist in developing and executing sourcing strategies aligned with brand objectives, quality standards, and operational requirements.
• Participate in supplier negotiations, contract administration, and cost optimization initiatives.
• Monitor commodity markets, food industry trends, and supplier capabilities to identify opportunities and risks.
• Maintain strong supplier relationships and support performance reviews, scorecards, and issue resolution.
• Manage item setup, product specifications, and lifecycle tracking within procurement systems.
• Ensure accuracy of product data and supplier documentation.
• Responsible for entering food category pricing.
• Support new product launches, product transitions, and Limited Time Offer (LTO) rollouts.
• Analyze spend, pricing trends, and supplier performance using tools such as Excel, Power BI, and procurement platforms.
• Prepare reports and presentations to support sourcing decisions and leadership reviews.
• Convert data into actionable recommendations that improve cost, quality, service, and supply continuity.
• Collaborate with Distribution, Operations, Marketing, Culinary, and Supply Chain teams to support business initiatives.
• Partner with Finance and Legal teams on supplier agreements, business cases, and risk assessments.
• Support cross-functional projects focused on cost savings, quality improvement, sustainability, and process efficiency.
• Shows curiosity, adaptability, and a commitment to professional growth by actively learning new processes, systems, and category management best practices while seeking feedback to enhance performance.
• Demonstrates accountability for assigned categories, supplier performance, and project deliverables.
• Takes initiative to identify savings opportunities, process improvements, and operational efficiencies.
• Builds effective working relationships with internal stakeholders and external supplier partners.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment and adapts effectively to changing priorities.
• Uses data and analytical insights to support decision-making and problem-solving.
• Maintains a high level of accuracy in item setup, pricing, product specifications, and documentation.
• Communicates clearly and professionally with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Effectively manages multiple projects and deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
• Demonstrates strong organizational, analytical, and critical-thinking skills.
• Stays informed on food industry trends, commodity markets, and supplier innovations.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field.
• 1-3 years of experience in procurement, category management, strategic sourcing, supply chain, or related field.
• Basic understanding of Food Supply Chains and Procurement.
• Exposure to supplier negotiations, contract management, sourcing events, and cost analysis.
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Excel.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects, prioritize workload, and meet deadlines.
• Experience using Power BI and procurement analytics tools (preferred).
• Experience supporting food, ingredient, beverage, or other direct spend categories (preferred).
• Understanding of food supply chains, commodities, food safety requirements, and quality standards (preferred).

Work Environment & Location

• Location: Tampa, FL – Hybrid (3 days onsite, 2 days WFH).
• Travel Expectations: Must be able to travel domestically for supplier visits or business needs, up to 5%.
• Individual must live in the Tampa area and is required to be in the Restaurant Support Center or Innovation Center 3 days per week, at a minimum.
• Ability to sit for extended periods (4–6 hours/day) in a hybrid corporate or home office setting.
• Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout a corporate facility during in-office days, employee meetings, supplier environments, or multi-department coordination activities.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in person, by phone, and via virtual platforms throughout the workday.
• Occasional lifting or carrying of materials up to 25 lbs.