JOB OVERVIEW:
The Product Supply Representative will be responsible for managing the relationship, communication and compliance for concept/distribution initiatives including promotions, tests, oversight of base menu items, and management of items in transition.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Inventory Management

• Oversee the supply chain on base menu items such that gaps are minimized to ensure continuous supply to our restaurants. Manage existing systems and create additional tools to assist in the analysis of inventory levels throughout all DCs.
• Gather and analyze national and regional promotional forecasts/projections on menu change impacts, high volume products, new product rollouts and tests. Negotiate joint plans with the Product Planning Center of Excellence, culinary teams, suppliers, DRI buyers, and distribution procurement contacts for execution, communicate oversight and follow through to ensure program compliance with national distribution providers.
• Ensure a reliable and timely flow of information to all distribution centers and hub locations concerning menu requirements, promotions, product field-testing, new items & programs, specification updates, restaurant openings/closings and customer organization.
• Manage items in transition, to include base menu changes, with a goal of minimizing obsolete inventory exposure with concepts and distribution centers. Own the management of product allocation between the DCs while being a consultant to the concepts and vendors with regards to allocation of supplier productions.

Relationship Management

• Direct 11 distribution centers and 7 hubs across North America providing excellent communication and oversight with a consolidated vision in-line with the needs of our concepts and restaurants.
• Negotiate auto shipment programs recognizing supply chain needs on each product involved.
• Develop and maintain relationships with concepts and distributors proactively identifying areas of opportunity and offer solutions using an effective communication strategy of recommendations for the customer.
• Oversee and negotiate issue resolution with concepts, vendors, distribution centers and distributor departments with the goal of aligning and maintaining relationships with all partners.

Restaurant Support

• Oversee restaurant openings for assigned DC facilitating DC / opening team relationship, analyzing variance reporting in products / quantities for opening order, overseeing surveys to evaluate success of opening.
• Ensure over the top support for special freight requests from concepts / restaurants and arrange shipments as needed.

Provide leadership insights into Darden Supply Chain capabilities and effectively influence all stakeholders for success.

REQUIRED TECHNICAL SKILLS:

• Minimum of three years in foodservice distribution environment
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills
• Strong negotiation skills
• Advanced user of Excel, experience with databases including Business Intelligence or Access
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve in the areas of inventory management, logistics, vendor relationships, contract administration, etc.

REQUIRED EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Supply Chain Management

OTHER KEY QUALIFICATIONS:

• Strong communication skills and customer service orientation
• Ability to persuade people and influence decisions