We are looking for a procurement professional to spearhead the category management for menu items at Wendy’s® restaurants across Canada.  As a Manager – Procurement, you will be a critical team member, responsible for assuring supply of a range of products to ensure everyone that comes to Wendy’s® can order their favorite menu items customized just the way they want it. This is a highly collaborative role, in which you have the opportunity to work in cooperation with our partners at The Wendy’s Company (such as Research & Development, Marketing, Operations, and Quality Assurance) as well as internal QSCC partners (such as commodity risk management, finance, project management, and distribution & logistics). 

Our procurement team plays a pivotal role in the growth and profitability of Wendy’s Restaurants of Canada by optimizing purchasing strategies, programs, processes, and supplier relationships. In alignment with Wendy’s® restaurant menu and product development objectives, you will help ensure the supply of high-quality products, in adherence with high food safety standards, while focusing on cost reduction initiatives and strategies to move your categories forward.  As an organization that prides itself on innovation and continuous improvement, we love new and big ideas!  Each procurement manager is instrumental in exploring and pursuing new ways to deliver on our promises of price, quality, and service to Canadian restaurant operators. 

Because we pride ourselves in being able to support the growth and profitability of the restaurants we serve, our ideal team member must have an entrepreneurial mindset. We move at the pace of the quick service restaurant industry, so you must be flexible and able to manage multiple tasks/projects at one time. We are seeking someone who exhibits strengths in the areas of strategic category management, supplier relationship building, cost management, contract negotiations, savings opportunities, budget & forecasting, project management, and providing excellent internal/external customer service.

Wendy’s Supply Chain Management and QSCC

The Wendy’s Company has a cooperative (Co-op) to provide supply chain services for all Wendy’s restaurants in the US and Canada.  Quality Supply Chain Cooperative, Inc. (QSCC) sources and contracts to purchase items and services necessary for the successful operation of a Wendy’s restaurant.  The Co-op (QSCC) is a separate corporation with governance oversight from an elected Board of Directors representing all franchisees and The Wendy’s US Company restaurants.  QSCC Canada reports to QSCC US and are considered Wendy’s Restaurants of Canada employees leased to QSCC - US.

• Strategic Sourcing: Partner with VP, Supply Chain to develop strategic sourcing plans for assigned categories to ensure an uninterrupted supply of products and services that meet Wendy’s® quality specifications. Leverage near and long-term forecasts, along with key supplier metrics, to execute a structured sourcing process. Collaborate and coordinate with QSCC U.S. to ensure coordinated efforts that maximize cost savings and other efficiencies. Where applicable, partner with Wendy’s Corporate Social Responsibility/Environment, Sustainability, & Governance teams to further progress against CSR goals. Leverage QSCC’s Commodity Risk Management Team, where applicable, to identify cost savings and risk mitigation strategies.
• Assure Supply: Assure uninterrupted supply for assigned categories by leading the execution of supply plans Identify potential risks; develop and execute contingency plans. Maintain regular lines of communication with Wendy’s partners, including R&D QA, Marketing, and Operations. Support both core menu items as well as new products and promotions. In concert with the Project Manager and Distribution, ensure the disposition of obsolete products and discontinued inventory to minimize costs and liabilities. Effectively forecast volumes by incorporating long term and near-term strategies that support the business needs.
• Category improvement and innovation: Identify improvement opportunities in quality, cost, and service and/or opportunities to reduce risk through effective category management, strategic sourcing, and supplier relationship management.
• Supplier Management: Manage supplier relationships focused on partnership, transparency, integrity and innovation. Adhere to QSCC’s policy for supplier Agreements. Serve as lead on contract negotiations and execution of agreements. Identify and enable opportunities to coordinate supplier engagement with QSCC US team members. Assist in planning, preparing and delivering a supplier relations strategy. Recommend suppliers for Quarterly Business Reviews; assemble, conduct, and follow-up on action items from the reviews to ensure supplier accountability and performance.
• Stay abreast of current micro and macro market and industry issues, trends, and innovation by following pertinent industry-related sources of information and attending relative conferences and/or continuing education events.
• Lead price verification, with support of procurement analyst, by reviewing/approving/updating item specific data. Manages downstream activities where price verification requires correction. Ensure accurate pricing and budget inputs are maintained for assigned categories.
• Provide various monthly and quarterly analysis and reports on an as-needed basis, including cost of goods.

• Minimum five years of progressively responsible Strategic Sourcing, Procurement and/or Category Management experience, (QSR or food industry preferred) or equivalent education/experience. Experience working in a franchise environment is a plus.
• B.S./B.A. in Business, Economics, Supply Chain or related area strongly preferred. Masters in Supply Chain or related field a plus.
• Understanding of the supplier community
• Experience negotiating and managing contracts
• Customer service & relationship management experience. Willing to engage in constructive conflict; able to navigate sensitive and/or tense situations with internal and external partners.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Able to facilitate flow of information and decisions among diverse stakeholders.
• Adaptability. Able to manage time effectively from prioritizing daily tasks to managing multiple projects at once.
• Strong analytical & reporting skills, including Microsoft Excel.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Teams)
• Entrepreneurial mindset. Proactive in seeking out opportunities, flexible and able to adapt to changing circumstances, determined and persistent to push through challenges, and builds a network while being honest, transparent, and responsible in their business dealings to contribute to the long-term success and reputation of themselves and the Wendy’s system.

Expected Work Location (In Office): It is expected that you will primarily perform work at the Wendy's Canadian Restaurant Support Center 5515 North Service Rd STE 201 Burlington ON L7L 6G4 Canada or at other location(s) as designated by the Company. You are required to work in the office at least 3 days a week. Changes to work location arrangements are subject to managerial approval and business needs. #LI-Onsite