Since 1940, Dairy Queen® has been one of the world’s best known and loved brands. Based in Minneapolis, MN, International Dairy Queen Inc., (IDQ), is the parent company of American Dairy Queen Corporation. As a leading franchisor, there are more than 7,000 independently owned and operated restaurants in the U.S., Canada and more than 20 countries around the world. IDQ is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Berkshire) which is led by Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire.

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 available for a Director, Supply Chain Services located out of our Bloomington, MN headquarters.  The Director, Supply Chain Services relies upon deep knowledge of restaurant operations and food services supply chain, oversees profit plan and margins for all American Dairy Queen (ADQ) store products, other than dairy products, for many variations of franchisee store/menu concepts across the U.S. (versus 1 or 2 concepts in most QSR systems). Responsible for ensuring supply of promotional products to franchisees and for maximizing service fees from vendors for products they sell to distributors, while maintaining financial obligations to franchisees regarding corporate profits. Manages the process of setting up and conducting all product tests for the Supply Chain group. Oversees supply chain data systems.

Key Accountabilities Include:

Forecasting and reporting – financial and products.

Maintain financial commitments to franchisees regarding corporate margins on products.

Direct and oversee annual financial and product forecasting process for all USCI. Review forecasting provided by each USCI sub-department, analyzing same and providing checks and balances. Ensure that this data is uploaded into COGNOS and is run against other reports, then audit and validate to ensure that no assumptions have been overlooked, and to predict overages and shortages that may result from forecasts. Creates consolidated forecast for all USCI. Relying upon deep knowledge of commodities markets, number of planned new stores for following year, planned promotions and product launches, assumptions on freight, etc. assess necessary sales and movement of cases to achieve margin goal commitments to franchisees. Assist Canadian, Texas and International Supply Chains with promotional product fulfillment. Together with the EVP, Supply Chain, present and explain annual profit plan to President/CEO, COO and CFO.

On an on-going basis, complete and implement forecasts for all National promotions, for example, Limited Time Offers. Determine how much product to order system-wide, and decide when to adjust forecasts as needed. Determine when and by how much to discount a product when it is proving hard to move. Work with cross-functional teams to review forecasts and production.

Manage the process of setting up and conducting all product tests for the USCI group.  This role will require coordinating with VP of Purchasing to make sure products are setup properly.

Lead a cross-functional team, (Marketing, R&D, Finance) create annual planning calendar for the forecasting of product for the coming year. Oversee reporting on all aspects of USCI performance. Interpret and present performance data to senior company management.

Responsibility for USCI data systems. Maintain USCI systems that contain all vendor product cost information and warehouse sales to stores. Collaborate with information technology department to develop systems. Manage relationship with outside systems vendor. Ensure that senior company management and the Supply Chain Council obtains accurate systems sales data reporting. Provide guidance and training to business analyst and Managers/Directors of Purchasing on how to conduct margin management analysis within the system.

Staff management and direction. Manage a team of professionals responsible for logistics, project management, cost management, business analysis and communications. Manage cross functional effectiveness of department to insure annual goals and objectives of each team are met. Direct efforts of staff.  Motivate and develop staff, including goal setting/performance evaluation, coaching/mentoring opportunities, exposure to industry. Assists staff with prioritization of work and removes roadblocks when necessary.

Communications and interactions with internal ADQ departments.  Assists in leading cross-functional teams towards Promotional Readiness, to ensure operators are fully ready for each promotion (POP, trained staff, and products are available, and sales begin on-time to customers).

Inventory control. Work with cross-functional teams, especially Purchasing, Operations, Research and Development, and Marketing, to determine product pipeline, the effect of promotions on product supply, etc. Provide input and direction to Franchise Support Service team regarding having these team members place calls to distributors to place change or cancel orders.

Other responsibilities.

• Organize and administer USCI weekly department meetings.  
• Represent USCI in monthly Business Consultant operations webinars.
• Serve as USCI back-up on DQ’s Recall Team.
• Organize and execute annual Supply Chain Council member elections.
• Organize and execute annual Supply Chain Summit.
• Other duties as assigned or needed.

Education/Experience:

B.A. or B.S. Degree in Business or a related degree, or equivalent combination of education and work experience. Major in Supply Chain Management or Finance a plus.

8+ years of prior relevant experience, obtained either through increasingly responsible positions in a corporate supply chain function, and/or strong corporate restaurant operations management experience with heavy interaction on supply chain issues. Deep understanding of all supply chain functions and strong knowledge of restaurant operations required. Proven track record of driving the development and improvement of work processes to improve timeliness and accuracy of team’s work.

Minimum of 1-3 years of experience managing employees. Track record of managerial ability:  Building a competent, high performance team, establishing clear expectations: monitoring progress and results on an ongoing basis; actively coaching employees to develop their skills; regularly providing feedback on employees’ strengths and when they are performing well; providing constructive feedback on areas to develop; creating focus on the right priorities; providing solutions to day-to-day problems for staff.

Strong financial acumen. Proven ability to conduct complex profit planning forecasts and financial analysis, based on product sales history and knowledge of the industry, market trends, franchisee ordering patterns and consumer preferences.

Experience working within a franchisor organization, preferably a QSR brand.

Skills:

Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Familiarity/proficiency with the following desirable: Smartsheet, ArrowStream, Itrade, Restaurant Magic, Crunch Time.

Communication Skills. Strong communication skills, with the ability to effectively articulate and present ideas to a variety of internal and external audiences. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Must be able to proactively inform and collaborate with company executives.

Teamwork and Cooperation. Effectively solves problems with others.  Involves others in matters that impact them. Works towards cross-functional “win-win” solutions. Strong ability to coordinate with other departments (Concept Support Services, Operations, Brand Marketing, Legal, and Research and Development) to complete projects on time.

Strong analytical skills and detail orientation, as this individual is responsible for conducting and oversight of critical financial analysis and reporting.

Change and Continuous Improvement. Challenges the status quo. Generates new and viable ideas. Can facilitate effective brainstorming to create solutions and improved processes.  Advances ideas into action. Keeps up to date on new developments and information related to Supply Chain, as well as relevant industry practices and technical developments.  Attend conferences and further education to expand supply chain knowledge.

Accountability and Drive for Results. Strong ability to multi-task and prioritize multiple projects and requests simultaneously, within an intense, deadline-driven environment. Makes effective decisions in a timely manner.  Effectively plans and coordinates work for self and others; anticipates and adjusts for problems; evaluates results. Adjusts priorities as situations change.  Takes the initiative to find solutions quickly and effectively. When making plans and decisions, takes into account the realities of our franchisee heritage and System, as well as the impact to other teams cross-functionally. Uses data and analysis to inform decision-making. 

Strategic USCI Leadership. Assists in developing strategies for achieving USCI goals. Translates business strategies into clear objectives and tactics.  Proactively anticipates future trends, problems or situations, their potential impact, and how to address them with relevant strategies.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.  You must be work authorized in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship.

Benefits

Benefit package includes medical, dental and vision insurance coverage, employer paid basic life insurance, short and long-term disability, paid sick and vacation, 401(k) match, tuition reimbursement, wellness challenges and more!

IDQ is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values the strength diversity brings to the workplace. IDQ participates in the US E-Verify program.  You must be work authorized in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship.