Procurement Category Manager

Centralized Supply Chain Services, LLC (CSCS®) is the exclusive purchasing agent for the Applebee’s and IHOP systems.

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.

Essential Duties

• Manage procurement activities for Applebee’s and IHOP, overseeing $100MM - $200MM in category spend. Analyze business needs, marketplace data, and the competitive landscape to identify strategic opportunities and develop supporting category strategies. Develop and execute contracts and pricing agreements using strategic negotiation tactics and strategies meeting required business timelines. Monitor compliance to contracts.
• Accountable to deliver the lowest sustainable cost and ensure continuity of supply of all products for assigned categories that meet specifications for the Co-op's Members. Coordinate with suppliers, distributors, and Brand cross-functional teams (Culinary, Quality Assurance, Operations, Marketing) 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.
• Cultivate and manage the supplier relationship, selection and segmentation process in conjunction with the Brands’ Quality Assurance and Culinary teams.
• Establish, maintain, and revise forecasts and supply position recommendations for all assigned products. Analyze market conditions, supply and demand dynamics, and geopolitical factors to develop risk management strategies, including hedging, commodity management, and diversification of sourcing to mitigate price volatility.
• Assist the Brands in developing and testing new products in support of promotions, menu additions, and restaurant profitability.
• Manage projects to develop alternative sources of products or optimize existing projects, while maintaining required specifications, to effectively deliver cost management benefits to the Co-op's Members.
• Support and execute hedge strategies and direct suppliers to take positions. Monitor and report on executed hedge strategies.
• Evaluate risk, both existing and potential, and develop strategies to mitigate that risk.

Minimum: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or related field

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and reprioritize priorities to meet business needs
• Curiosity to learn about specific products and industries, and desire to enhance expertise
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Power BI
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Travel up to 10-15%

Desired: MBA, Purchasing certification from a recognized program