DIRECTOR, PROCUREMENT

Director of Procurement (Protein)

The Zaxby's Support Center is looking for a Director of Procurement (Protein) to join the Supply Chain team. The Director, Procurement is responsible for leading the strategic sourcing, supply continuity, cost management, and supplier performance for all poultry and poultry-adjacent ingredients across the organization. This role sets category strategy, negotiates enterprise agreements, and builds long-term supplier partnerships that deliver competitive advantage through quality, reliability, innovation, and total cost optimization.

The Director serves as the subject matter expert on poultry markets and related commodities, translating market intelligence, commodity risk, and operations needs into actionable procurement strategies. This leader partners cross-functionally with Culinary, Operations, Supply Chain, Food Safety & Quality, and Finance to ensure product standards, service levels, and margin targets are consistently achieved.

This position balances strategic vision with hands-on execution, leading a high-performing team will strengthening supplier relationships, mitigating risk and establishing scalable processes and programs that support durable growth. The role requires strong commercial judgment, operational understanding, and the ability to navigate a complex supply chain with both discipline and collaboration.

As we continue to grow, our strategies have set us up for success to be the top offering in Chicken Fingerz, Boneless Wings and Zalads. We'd love to have you as part of our team!

This position is based in Atlanta, GA area and allows for a hybrid work schedule that includes 3 in-office days per week.

Benefits include:

• Medical, Dental and Vision insurance
• Company-paid Disability, Critical Illness, and Basic Life insurance
• 401K participation with Company match
• 50% off meal discount at company-owned locations
• Parental Leave
• Child Care Assistance
• Education Assistance Program
• PTO and 9 Company Holidays + 2 Floating Holidays

Essential duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Develop/execute comprehensive sourcing strategies for poultry and related ingredients that align with company growth, margin, and quality objectives
• Lead supplier selection, negotiations, contracting, and ongoing performance management
• Own total cost of ownership, including pricing, yields, logistics, specifications, and value engineering initiatives
• Monitor commodity markets and proactively manage volatility through hedging strategies and/or contract structures
• Ensure uninterrupted supply through capacity planning, contingency planning, and raw material supply strategies
• Establish and enforce supplier quality, food safety, and regulatory standards in partnership with QA and FSQA team
• Build collaborative relationships with key suppliers to drive innovation, cost improvement, and operational efficiencies
• Lead cross-functional alignment on specifications, forecasts, new product launches, and distribution network changes
• Implement procurement systems, processes, and KPIs that improve visibility, governance, and accountability
• Manage risk related to pricing, service, geopolitical, and operational disruptions
• Lead, coach, and develop a procurement team; set performance expectations and succession plans
• Prepare executive reporting on spend, savings, risks, and supplier performance

Qualifications:

• Deep expertise in poultry or protein supply chains, including processing, yields, specifications, and market dynamics
• Strong commercial negotiation and contract management skills
• Proven ability to manage large, complex supplier portfolios and enterprise-level agreements
• Experience leading teams and managing strategic supplier partnerships
• Analytical mindset with fluency in financial modeling, cost drivers, and commodity trends
• Track record of delivering measurable savings and service improvements
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and work cross-functionally
• Strong risk assessment and contingency planning capabilities
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills
• Comfortable operating in a fast-growth or evolving environment

Education and Experience Guidelines:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, Food Science, Agriculture, or related field OR equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience: 8+ years of progressive procurement or supply chain experience, with significant category leadership responsibilities; minimum 5+ years managing protein or food manufacturing procurement
• Foodservice, QSR, or multi-unit retail experience strongly preferred.

Zaxby's Franchising LLC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment decisions based on any factor protected by federal, state or local law.

Pay Range: $140,000 - $185,000