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.

Lead and manage multiple new and/or improved restaurant equipment and smallwares projects for the Dairy Queen franchise system, to ensure franchisees have available to them the best equipment to fit their needs, including constantly looking at ways to ease labor pressures within franchisee restaurants.  Negotiate vendor price programs, forecast strategic equipment needs and track historical vendor pricing. Build relationships with key suppliers that allows IDQ to leverage core competencies to our advantage in product development, speed to market, and product innovation. Developing, maintain and progress IDQ’s relationship with key vendors and National Accounts, including international vendors. Research various equipment-related issues and questions that arise from the field operations, IDQ management team and franchisees. Work with cross functional internal teams, both North American and International, to support equipment training and operations.

Primary Duties:

Equipment Procurement and Project Management:

• Effectively and independently lead and manage multiple projects related to restaurant equipment, including complex, multi-year projects with significant budgets, strategic value, executive scrutiny, and cross-functional impact. Independently manage such level of projects within scope and budget.
• Independently and effectively create and manage project plans, expectations, scope, and timelines, as well as identify key stakeholders, project milestones, decision makers, success metrics and communication plans. Ensure that all affected parties are informed and in support of the proposed direction and plan.
• Provide leadership and strategic direction while working in collaboration with multiple departments on various projects.
• Show strong initiative, strategic insight, and negotiation skills, by independently and proactively identifying potential products and vendors, identifying and resolving issues, risks and potential supply chain -related problems, bringing together appropriate decision makers, suggesting and implementing resolution options when appropriate and necessary, and ensuring that the right decisions are made. Actively facilitates communication between vendor participants and impacted IDQ teams.
• Facilitate the equipment RFP process: Negotiate, test and deploy new equipment and smallwares and supplies for the restaurants: benefit validation, reliability, customer value, strength of service network, effect on operations, and crew-member feedback.
• Identify, evaluate, and approve performance tools to support market tests and rollouts.
• Review prototype production core design to focus on equipment optimization.
• Communicate vendor price changes notices to respective countries Director of Supply Chain
• Assist with Mexico NOM compliance needs and communications for all import items related to Mexico as well as other import / export support for other countries.
• Assist with identifying and evaluating alternate equipment /smallware distribution channels specific to the needs for international development and operational support.
• Provide support with resolving international order delays due to supply chain or logistic impacts.  
• Assist with researching Equipment service issues, warranty and other operational support when required.
• Provide support with new international equipment testing and evaluation as needed.
• Track international smallware’s usage reports and back-order reports( Mexico).
• Manage any updates or changes required to TWC International smallware guides.
• Provide equipment and smallware updates as needed to international franchisee leadership groups and Internal DQ International groups- In person and or remotely.

Demonstrated ability to proactively and independently:

• Identify opportunities, gather relevant information and input from others, and offer realistic solutions. 
• Take the initiative to find and implement solutions quickly and effectively.
• Plan ahead to achieve results, breaks down work into steps; anticipate and adjust for problems and evaluate results.
• Well organized with a high attention to detail and accuracy.

Change and Continuous Improvement:

• Demonstrated ability to challenge the status quo, be forward-thinking and to propose/drive improvements in processes and tools. Keeps up to date on new developments and information related to specific operational functional area of responsibility, as well as relevant industry practices and technical developments.

Teamwork and Collaboration:

• Strong comfort and ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships and effective/engaged cross-functional project teams, and to effectively solve problems with others. Has the courage and skill to
• respectfully challenge others to reach the best solutions and decisions. Communications information and/or decisions to all necessary parties in a timely manner so they can make accurate decisions and do their jobs.

Strategic Thinking:

• Being strategic about forecasting needs, lead times and pricing management is a key skill set; the Manager is expected to be constantly evaluating whether a particular project or direction is the right way to proceed, how do we make processes and tools better, versus simply maintaining, and thinking ahead at the business needs for their particular area of responsibility, (for example, what are the equipment needs for a new product platform concept, or how the product or services of a major vendor needs to evolve in order to meet IDQ’s future business needs).
• Proactively anticipates issues or problems within the scope of one’s role.

​​​​​​Education and Qualifications:

• B.A. / B.S. Degree in Business or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Minimum track record of 5 years of successfully and independently leading and managing equipment testing and rollouts in a quick serve restaurant environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, & Power Point.
• Experience leading Food Service Equipment RFP processes.
• Strong knowledge of the restaurant industry and of restaurant operations.
• Knowledge of refrigeration systems a plus.
• Certification in project management a plus. Example: PMI or PMP, or related experience managing projects.
• Experience working within a franchise organization (training or operations exp. a plus), preferably a QSR brand at a multi-unit level.
• Strategic thinker with strong operational expertise in finding solutions for problems.
• Ability to work quickly in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions.
• Excellent written and verbal business communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills.

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.