Job Title: Category Manager - Indirect Purchasing Compensation: $110,000 - $135,000 Annual Salary The base salary or hourly wage range for this role will vary based on multiple factors, including but not limited to prior experience, relevant expertise, current business needs, and market factors. Range is not inclusive of potential bonus or benefits. Your recruiter can share more information about the salary range and other factors during the hiring process.
Location: Hybrid, Din Tai Fung - Restaurant Support Center in Arcadia/Pasadena, California Benefits and Perks: - Competitive Pay & Benefits
- Employer Contribution for individuals and eligible dependents' medical insurance
- Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Commuter Spending Accounts
- 401(k) Plan with company match
- Employee Assistance Program
- Discounts through BenefitHub
- Employee Meal Discounts
- Paid Time Off (PTO) to support work-life balance (accrued based on length of service)
- Paid Sick Leave (PSL) to care for your health or loved ones
- Quarterly Wellness Days - extra time off to recharge every season
- Bonus Eligible
- Opportunities for growth; we love promoting within
About the Role: The Category Manager - Indirect Purchasing will pair strong organizational skills with a true passion for sourcing and executing strategic partnerships with suppliers and manufacturers, fostering long-term relationships to support a dramatically growing business. A successful Category Manager will demonstrate attention to detail, a dynamic personality, urgency, adaptability, critical thinking, and strong negotiating skills to drive long-term value. Items under this ownership include chemicals, smallware, paper and packaging, tableware, and small equipment, comprising 500+ SKUs.
Responsibilities: - Oversee the day-to-day purchasing program for the entire non-foods/indirect category across all restaurants and central kitchen operations.
- Negotiate, benchmark, and conduct RFPs to secure competitive pricing for all items.
- Discover and onboard strategic suppliers to support growth into new markets.
- Establish forecasting, demand planning, and inventory management processes with suppliers and distributors.
- Manage financials, including budgets, pricing agreements, and price verification processes
- Collaborate with the Director of Procurement and SVP of Supply Chain on driving strategic planning initiatives.
- Create contingency plans to avoid supply interruptions across the system.
- Streamline procurement and distribution network to optimize efficiencies and simplify operations.
Job Requirements: - Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Procurement, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 5+ years of progressive procurement, purchasing, sourcing, supply chain, or distribution experience within the restaurant, foodservice, hospitality, or consumer goods industry.
- Experience managing supplier relationships, contract negotiations, and strategic sourcing initiatives.
- Strong financial acumen with experience analyzing pricing, budgets, forecasts, and cost-saving opportunities.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other business software applications.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently.
Preferred Requirements: - Experience supporting multi-unit restaurant or hospitality operations.
- Experience leading RFP processes and supplier transitions.
- Knowledge of indirect procurement categories including packaging, chemicals, smallwares, equipment, and operating supplies.
- APICS, CPSM, CSCP, or other procurement/supply chain certifications.
- Project management experience with cross-functional business initiatives.
Essential Functions: - Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods while performing computer-based work.
- Ability to operate a computer, keyboard, telephone, and other standard office equipment on a frequent basis.
- Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written formats with suppliers, distributors, restaurant operators, and internal stakeholders.
- Ability to review, analyze, and interpret contracts, pricing documents, reports, spreadsheets, and other procurement-related materials.
- Ability to occasionally move throughout office, warehouse, restaurant, and distribution environments.
- Ability to travel occasionally for supplier meetings, market visits, restaurant support, industry events, or business-related activities.
- Ability to perform work in a fast-paced environment requiring frequent prioritization, problem solving, and management of multiple projects simultaneously.
NOTE: This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying the position. Employees will be required to perform any other job-related duties assigned by their supervisor. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and able to provide documentation to work in the United States legally. 
