Director, Equipment Innovation and Procurement (Commercial Kitchen Equipment)

  • Full-time
  • Job Duration: Regular

Company Description

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.

Job Description

Director, Equipment Innovation and Procurement will rely upon deep knowledge of restaurant equipment and operations, provide strategic and tactical oversight to all aspects of IDQ’s International restaurant equipment function, including supply distribution function, managing the relationship with DQ’s equipment distributors, equipment purchasing and equipment innovation testing and sourcing. Responsible for managing a diverse team focused on these accountabilities.  Serve as the key liaison and communicator to cross-functional leaders, senior company management and franchisee leadership on US, Canada, and international equipment-related matters.

Primary Accountabilities:

Development and execution of plans and strategies:

  • Develop Equipment goals and strategies, ensuring that these are aligned and supportive of IDQ’s overall business plan and strategies.
  • Establish tactical goals for self and each team member based on overall equipment departmental strategies, to support and successfully execute corporate initiatives.
  • Manage own (larger, cross-functional) projects, and monitor equipment team members’ projects over multi-year timelines.
  • In collaboration with R&D, Design and Architecture, SCAC, CSS, field operations, develop processes and procedures for the rollout of equipment throughout the IDQ system, including modifying procedures as needed for successful launch to the system. 
  • Establish, maintain, and manage relationships with equipment vendors, manufacturers, and distributors in the U.S., CA, and in some international markets.  Oversee negotiations, contracts, and communications.  Evaluate performance of key equipment suppliers.  Provide oversight of RFP process for supplier and distribution services.

Forecasting and Reporting:

  • Forecast equipment needs for the U.S. and Canada and aid international development and operations.
  • Monitor, Interpret and present supply chains status data to senior company management and other cross-functional stakeholders.

Staff management and direction:

  • Manage a team of professionals responsible for equipment purchasing, warehouse and manufacturer management, innovation testing and sourcing, RFP processes, and rollout to franchisees stores.
  • Effectively motivate and develop staff, including goal setting/performance evaluation, and coaching for successful performance.
  • Assist staff with prioritization of work and remove roadblocks when necessary.  Assist in establishing systems and schedules to monitor employee goal progress and achievement.

Communications and interactions with stakeholders:

  • Build positive relationships and an open and honest communication line with all constituents who interface with the Equipment function, including senior company management, franchisees, franchisee leadership groups including the Franchisee Equipment Committee, Supply Chain Advisory Council Franchisee Advisory Council, cross-functional teams, and on occasion Mexico and China Franchisee Advisory Councils.
  • Provide recommendations to business leaders and franchisees related to equipment projects and initiatives.
  • Ensure that all stakeholders receive timely and accurate communication related to equipment projects, including acting as the primary communications center for relaying information on equipment-related issues to the field operations team and franchisees.  Ensure that franchisee service and support needs are met through interfacing with manufacturers and distributors.
  • Provide input on matters related to equipment across IDQ teams when working on cross-functional problem solving and projects. This includes teams and leaders from Field and Brand Marketing, USCI Supply Chain, Design, Architecture and Construction, Development Operations, Finance, Legal, R&D, and Concept Support Services.

Inventory control:

  • Collaborate with key equipment suppliers to maintain adequate inventory to support the systems needs particularly at peak demand periods for new development and/or equipment rollouts while not over burdening suppliers with excess inventory.
  • Oversight of service, quality control, and reporting of trends of key equipment suppliers.

Innovation:

  • Analyze market trends and industry best practices related to new and existing equipment.  Reviewing existing equipment and determine how to improve or redesign it to better serve the system’s current needs. Establish and execute test plans to evaluate the viability of new or updated equipment or smallwares.
  • Commit time and effort toward future innovation, aligning with organizational and cross-functional strategies and system growth needs/ opportunities.

Othe Responsibilities:

  • Oversight of planning for equipment components of annual Supply Chain Summit and bi-annual DQ Connect.
  • Involved in any special assignments involving equipment.

Qualifications

Qualifications and Education:

  • B.A. or B.S. Degree in Business or a related degree, or equivalent combination of education and work experience. MBA preferred.
  • Must have 10+ years of prior relevant experience in restaurant equipment operations and supply chain functions.
  • Strong vendor negotiation skills. Demonstrated ability to hold vendors accountable while maintaining professional working relationships.
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience managing employees. Track record of managerial ability:  Building a high-performance team, establishing clear expectations: monitoring progress and results on an ongoing basis; 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 financial analysis, based on equipment sales history and knowledge of the industry, market trends, franchisee ordering patterns and consumer preferences.
  • Experience working within a franchise organization, preferably a QSR brand.
  • Strong analytical skills and detail orientation, as this role is responsible for conducting and oversight of critical financial analysis and reporting.
  • Accountability and Drive for Results. Strong ability to multi-task and prioritize multiple projects and requests simultaneously. 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. Uses data and analysis to inform decision-making. 
  • Strategic Leadership. Assists in developing strategies for achieving IDQ’s equipment and relevant corporate 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.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Benefits

Our benefit package supports the well-being of our employees and their families.  Our comprehensive benefit package includes, medical, dental, 401K match, paid time off (including volunteer time as well as parental leave) and so much more!  To learn more about our great benefit offerings, click here.

Work Environment

Most positions located out of our global headquarters in Bloomington, MN will work a hybrid work schedule where you will work 2 collaboration days a week.  Additional in office time may be required to support team/project needs.  Positions will be identified as “remote eligible” when consideration will be given to candidates outside of drivable distance to our Bloomington office.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We are committed to creating a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion for all who touch DQ.  We believe in and commit to fostering a community where employees bring their authentic selves to work; where we recruit, engage and retain employees, franchise owners and suppliers with diverse background and identities; and where everyone feels welcome engaging with our DQ brand.

 

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.

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