Strategic Sourcing Specialist
The Red Lobster Strategic Sourcing Specialist supports a team of Supply Chain leaders with a variety of sourcing and distribution-related responsibilities. The Specialist also contributes to the profitability and growth of Red Lobster’s restaurants through the application of highly developed analytical and problem-solving skills. This position performs extensive support duties related to supplier and product approvals, purchase order generation, product allocation and placement, restaurant customer service, document control, sourcing analytical support and supplier communication. The position also coordinates recurring activities such as product sample orders and receipts, product and specification reviews, vendor payment processing, and supplier audits.
This is a high visibility position with extensive contact with internal departments, major suppliers and distributors.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:- Under the direction of the Strategic Sourcing team, this position serves as liaison between suppliers and the Red Lobster Strategic Sourcing team with 1,350+ active suppliers and 1,900+ active SKUs
- Coordinates supplier qualification processes including General Terms and Conditions, Supplier Expectations and Food Safety Requirements for new product introductions, phase-ins and phase-outs with Sourcing, Distribution and Product Planning teams
- Generates and communicates increase / decrease reports for all core menu and promotional event menu changes to suppliers and distributors
- Organizes product samples and prepares product reviews as required for food, beverage and durable goods; coordinates reviews with Total Quality & Food Safety team as required
- Sets up new suppliers and maintains information for existing suppliers in database
- Reviews and updates pricing in the Product Supply national and regional databases
- Sets up new products in Product Supply databases
- Manages restaurant communications and provides resolution related to distributor service levels, route schedules, and product quality/accuracy discrepancies
- Facilitates and coordinates product recoveries as needed with suppliers and distributors
- Produces volume usage reports and performs analysis/monitoring on and order management and product inventory levels on an ongoing basis
- Works directly with restaurants, suppliers, distributors, and other internal departments to ensure product quality and sourcing excellence
- Identifies and implements process improvement initiatives
- Creates training materials, SOPs, work instructions, and process flow documents for support functions as needed
- Performs routine administrative duties as needed
- Provides back-up support to other Specialists and Strategic Sourcing team
- Performs special projects as needed
REQUIRED TECHNICAL SKILLS:- 1-3 years of reporting and analysis experience
- Demonstrates strong mathematical, verbal reasoning, and analytical ability
- Strong excel skills, experience with all other Microsoft Office applications.
REQUIRED EDUCATION:- Bachelor, BA, or equivalent work experience
- This position offers an entry-level opportunity within the supply chain domain, with clear pathways for future career development within this field
OTHER KEY QUALIFICATIONS:- Detail and process oriented
- Elevated level of organizational skills and follow through abilities
- Ability to manage a heavy workload with minimal supervision in a fast-paced and changing environment
- Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Skilled at interacting professionally with internal and external contacts
- Ability to successfully manage multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously
PREFERRED SKILLS:- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (or related field)
- Previous experience in Supply Chain preferred
- Experience with Oracle and SharePoint
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