Bilingual Sourcing and Supply Chain Manager- LA&C (Individual Contributor)

International Dairy Queen, Inc. (IDQ), based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is the parent company of American Dairy Queen Corporation and Dairy Queen Canada, Inc. Through its subsidiaries, IDQ develops, licenses, and services a system of more than 7,800 DQ restaurants in more than 20 countries. IDQ is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. For more information, visit DairyQueen.com.

Here at IDQ, we create extraordinary Fan experiences every day and we do this through our commitment to hiring and retaining only the best in class talent. We firmly believe that our employees are the catalyst to the success of the company where their initiative, strategic thinking, and entrepreneurial spirit are recognized and rewarded. We're looking for motivated, passionate and dedicated individuals with an inherent need and ambition to go after bigger challenges.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Sourcing & Supply Chain Manager located out of Mexico City supporting our LA&C markets.  This individual contributor role provides strategic and operational sourcing management for LA&C markets, (Mexico and selected emerging markets in Latin America). This role is responsible for supplier identification, on-going supplier management, developing and executing sourcing strategies that ensure a reliable, cost-effective, and high-quality supply of food, packaging, and indirect materials to support restaurant operations, growth, and innovation.

The role partners closely with cross-functional teams including Quality (FSQR), Marketing, Finance, Operations, Distribution, Franchisees, and Suppliers to deliver flawless execution of core menu items, Limited Time Offers (LTOs), and new market or restaurant openings. The position plays a critical role in supplier governance, risk management, cost optimization, and supply continuity within a fast-paced QSR environment, utilizing risk management programs to mitigate risk exposure and supply disruptions.

The Sourcing & Supply Chain Manager works in close coordination with the Distribution Manager to ensure end-to-end supply chain continuity with the 3 PL partner while maintaining clear ownership of sourcing, supplier strategy, and commercial performance.

Key Accountabilities Include:

Strategic Sourcing- Category & Supplier Management

• Identify and develop local and regional suppliers, working closely with FSQR and Operations, to support the Dairy Queen (DQ) brand and the franchisees needs.
• Manage supplier relationships in Mexico (negotiate product pricing, supply planning communication, conflict resolution, etc.)
• Identify product & supplier opportunities to support cost-savings activities and Limited Time Offers (LTOs) as needed. 
• Manage and develop RFP’s for all food, packaging, and other products needed for DQ Stores.
• Develop and execute long-term category strategies to optimize cost, supply resilience, and quality while supporting brand growth and innovation
• Lead supplier risk assessment, mitigation planning, and business continuity strategies to ensure uninterrupted supply in high-volatility environments.
• Ensure supplier compliance with brand standards, food safety, regulatory requirements, and ethical sourcing policies, partnering with Quality and Legal teams

LTO Execution / Cross-functional Support

• Support category growth and calendar execution within LA&C. Collaborate with a cross functional team, manages supply chain process that aligns with DQ´s Menu Vision. Embrace the implementation, utilization and reporting of pipeline & innovation process through the various stages of project and timeline management to facilitate product development.
• Support flawless execution of the DQ’s Annual Marketing Plan for LA&C working closely with DQ Marketing by coordinating new product launches LTO’s to ensure inventory availability and address any supply chain concerns related to the promotion.
• Create, manage and work globally with other international supply chain managers portfolio of all the approved items available in LA&C.  
• Support new market entry using approved vendors and/or potential new vendors.
• Work with DQ Finance to support the collection of supplier fees for existing vendors in LA&C.
• Support new market, new franchisee, and new store openings as needed.
• Work closely with co-op USA staff and suppliers/distributors as needed to support the markets.
•  Manage rest of LA&C market for all the supply chain related matters:

Education/Experience:

• University or bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience in lieu of degree
• Must have 6 plus years of prior experience in foodservice sourcing and supply chain
• Experience working within a franchisor organization, preferably a QSR brand (imports/exports knowledge is a plus)
• Knowledge and familiarity with the foodservice supply industry

Skills:

• Proficient in written and conversational fluency in both English and Spanish
• Ability to travel up to 20% of time and to work when needed in the evenings and at weekends, with ability to gain visas to travel to a variety of countries
• Relationship building skills with the ability to create mutually beneficial relationships with and provide excellent customer service to both internal and external clients
• Written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate Supply Chain concepts to a variety of audiences
• Proficient in Microsoft Office
• Ability to manage efficient execution of sourcing and supply functions, working with both suppliers and franchisees
• Well organized with a high attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize multiple projects and requests simultaneously, within an intense, deadline-driven environment.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Ability to collaborate in a team environment.

Inclusion & Belonging

We are committed to creating a culture of inclusion and belonging for all who touch DQ. We believe in and commit to fostering a community where employees bring their authentic selves to work, and where we recruit, engage, and retain employees, franchise owners, and suppliers based on qualifications and merit. We strive to maintain an environment where everyone feels welcome.