Supervisor, Category Manager

Department Overview

This role is part of McDonald’s Global Supply Chain organization within Global Strategic Sourcing Services (GSSS). The team partners with leaders across the business to build a resilient, innovative, and efficient global supply base that supports McDonald’s long-term growth.

The position focuses on global kitchen equipment sourcing, working closely with cross-functional partners and suppliers to ensure reliable supply, strong equipment performance, and continuous improvement across global and local markets.

Main Responsabilites

The Global Equipment Category Supervisor will be responsible for developing and evolving Category Strategies and Core Suppliers to deliver a resilient and innovative supply chain that assures supply of cost-effective, reliable, and sustainable kitchen equipment. The individual will be accountable for supporting the Equipment Supply Chain Manager in the end-to-end category management of global core equipment, including category strategies, equipment development, equipment performance, aftersales service/support, and supplier management. Additionally, the individual will be responsible in supporting key supply chain initiatives, negotiating pricing and contracts, selecting and qualifying suppliers, risk management, setting product specifications/validation requirements, equipment reliability, sustainability initiatives, data analysis, and communication.

The individual will have ongoing focus on improving the quality of products, services, and performance of the equipment categories they manage while ensuring business requirements are fulfilled and value is optimized.  In addition, this individual will provide support in developing and evolving the Equipment Team’s internal processes to drive efficiencies and structure to category management. The Equipment Supervisor will report to a GSSS Manager, and will work closely with Menu Management, Operations, Innovation, Legal, Supply Chain, Customer Experience, Safety, Marketing, Restaurant Design Group, Markets, Franchisees and Suppliers.

• Supporting the Equipment Supply Chain Manager with their assigned equipment categories and suppliers through the following:
• Resolving equipment issues and support needs for various cross-functional projects that support the global or local markets
• Translating industry trends, customer needs and opportunity analysis to design equipment specifications and execute long-term category strategy opportunities
• Completing necessary tasks to gather key supplier data (i.e. volumes, costs, product and service performance statistics, financial information, etc.)
• Identifying supplier risks and formulating suggested mitigation strategies
• Reviewing and approving vendor performance standards and measurements
• Providing input into annual category management strategies
• Facilitating critical issues on behalf of suppliers and internal/external partners
• Project management and execution support of category strategies, from equipment ideation, to testing protocols, to commercialization and deployment
• Independently run assigned categories and supplier relationships
• Negotiation of pricing, service agreements, preventative maintenance programs, warranty, etc. with suppliers
• Ensure stock availability and inventory planning for new product releases and/or special programs
• Understanding of manufacturing and logistics processes
• Management of McDonald’s and Supplier risk and liability, cost mitigation.
• Communication of new product releases as per above negotiations with alignment from stakeholders
• Communicate, evaluate, measure, and implement Supplier Expectations with supplier base
• Serve as an advocate for the Owner / Operator, Company and Supplier by leading successful resolution of field issues and minimizing recurrence through process improvement.
• Executing all necessary communications to ensure accurate and timely flow of information to internal customers, partners, and suppliers

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required (Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering, or STEM fields).
• 3–5 years of proven experience preferred.
• Experience in strategic sourcing, category management, supplier relationship management, supply chain, procurement, engineering, or product development.
• Hands-on experience with negotiations and contract management.
• Strong project management and execution skills.
• Ability to balance reactive problem-solving with critical thinking.
• Strong analytical skills; able to structure and solve ambiguous problems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong relationship-building skills; ability to lead through influence.
• Highly organized, proactive, and able to prioritize.
• Microsoft Office Suite required; advanced Excel skills are meaningful.
• Experience in QSR, restaurant industry, kitchen equipment, manufacturing, or international environments is a plus.
• McDonald's experience (operations, finance, business insights, equipment, engineering, supply chain) a plus
• Industry Certifications (e.g. P.E., PMP, CPM, CSCP, etc.) is a plus

The position offers health and welfare benefits, including but not limited to comprehensive health insurance, which includes medical, prescription drug, mental health, dental and vision coverage, as well as, life insurance. 

Compensation

Bonus Eligible: Yes

Long - Term Incentive Eligible: No

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Salary Range

The expected salary range range -$78,281.00 - $97,852.00 per year 
The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we may also consider your experience, and other job-related factors.