Supply Chain Agent

POSITION SUMMARY

The Purchasing Agent is responsible for sourcing, negotiation, contracting, cost control, inventory management, and other procurement functions for designated product categories. Execute and enforce purchase agreements, including monitoring supplier floor stock, updating pricing changes, and sourcing supply for marketing activities. Maintain regular communication with suppliers and/or distributors, ensuring compliance with purchase agreements in terms of cost, quality, product specification, and inventory. Additional responsibilities include ad hoc analysis, reporting, and communication via presentations to management.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

May perform any or all of the following duties:

• Completes documented RFP solicitation process, obtain and analyze competitive bids from suppliers, conduct negotiations on pricing, manufacturing capacity, quality compliance, inventory levels to be maintained, and product lead times for assigned categories. Makes recommendations based on supplier best meeting all attributes. Pricing often times developed with formula cost models.
• Develops agreements that include key categories, documenting negotiated terms from the solicitation process. Manages the process of fully executing agreements in a timely fashion.
• Manages supplier relationships to support corporate goals and resolve product or supplier issues to ensure satisfaction and positive resolutions.
• Ensures suppliers submit accurate and timely price changes in accordance with agreements and that pricing is communicated accurately and timely to distribution partners. Ensures suppliers' production meets the company's needs.
• Develops relationships with applicable suppliers that create a high level of collaboration and performance regarding delivery dates, technical problems, material deviations, damage claims, etc. Works closely with Quality Control, Culinary Innovation, and Inventory Management to overcome obstacles.
• Support Marketing initiatives that include limited-time offers (LTOs) and new menu offerings by identifying suppliers, forecasting needs, and managing supplier inventory.
• Participates in developing procurement strategies, including requirements planning, alternate sourcing, purchasing timing, inventory level adjustments, etc.
• Make recommendations for responsible commodities, communicating approved positions, and providing routine position variance reporting.
• Participates in the establishment of a company-wide food cost budget. Evaluates and analyzes previous contracts, performs market research to establish pricing trends, and investigates market conditions.
• Participates in company meetings, webinars, and conference calls.
• Available as a daily resource for corporate personnel, company operators, and franchise operators as needed for product specification, product sourcing, product review, product pricing, product lead time, product warranty, service, problem resolution, etc.
• Other duties and/or special projects as assigned in response to changing business conditions and/or requirements

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS/CORE COMPETENCIES

• Must possess approximately three (3) years of any combination of experience and/or education that demonstrates a commanding knowledge of food purchasing responsibility, preferably in foodservice.
• A bachelor’s degree in Business or a related field is preferred.
• Working knowledge of product specifications and distribution.
• Strong background in analysis, both quantitative and qualitative.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, ability to communicate effectively with all levels of management, both internally and externally
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, and can identify and implement process improvement strategies with positive business results.
• Strong work ethic; commitment to seeing duties completed to a high standard of quality.
• Consistently exercises independent judgment and discretion in matters of significance.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Restaurant Support Center is a fast-paced, high-volume, and deadline-driven environment

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Constant interaction with internal and external partners by phone and/or electronic communications
• Sitting for extended periods of time, using the telephone, typing, and/or operating a computer and/or mouse
• Travel as needed, approximately ten percent (10%)

THE COMPANY RETAINS THE RIGHT TO CHANGE OR ASSIGN OTHER DUTIES TO THIS POSITION AS DEEMED APPROPRIATE WITH OR WITHOUT NOTICE

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Interested in what a Career at CKE has to offer?

CKE Restaurants, Inc., the parent company to Carl's Jr. and Hardee's, proudly serves happiness worldwide from our global headquarters in Franklin, TN.

At our headquarters, we embrace a hybrid work schedule that balances flexibility and collaboration. Work where you choose on Mondays and Fridays, and join us in the office Tuesday through Thursday for in-person teamwork and connection. It’s just one of the many benefits of being part of our team!

Our Purpose is to "Feed Happiness Around the World."

At CKE Restaurants, our purpose drives everything we do. It’s not just about food—it’s about the joy, connection, and innovation we bring to our guests and teams every day.

We Achieve This Through Our Shared Values:

We Dream Big – Bold ideas fuel our growth.

We Make It Happen – Action turns visions into reality.

We’re Better Together – Collaboration powers our success.

We Innovate – Creativity keeps us ahead of the curve.

We Celebrate – Every win is a step worth cheering.

Together, these values inspire us to spread happiness far and wide.

Want to learn more about life at CKE Restaurants? Check out our "Life" pages on the CKE Restaurants LinkedIn profile!

Discover all the details about our benefits here: ckebenefits.com/class1.html

Extra Ingredients for Feeding Your Happiness:

At Our Restaurant Support Center, We Go Beyond The Basics To Enable Our Colleagues To Shine Bright Like Our Happy Star.

Here’s a Taste Of The Perks That Keep The Happiness Flowing

✨ A hybrid work environment for balance and flexibility

✨ 10 paid holidays a floating holiday

✨ A paid volunteer day to spread happiness in your community

✨ 5 wellness days to recharge and thrive

✨ Parental leave for life’s most joyful moments

✨ 24/7 access to a learning platform with 8,000 modules to fuel the growth of your self-motivated desires

✨ Twice monthly onsite massages

✨ An onsite fitness gym

✨ Weekly pay, because happiness is better when funded more frequently

Here, it’s all about feeding happiness—for you and the world around you!

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.