Category Manager

Brand:

Bagel Brands is the parent company for your favorite breakfast brands, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Bruegger's Bagels, Noah's NY Bagels, and Manhattan Bagel. We believe in the bagel and how it has the unique ability to bring people together. Our team has a standard set of values and behaviors that allow us to spread a little more joy and happiness in the world. They let us laugh, smile, and enjoy each other's company a little more. These are the behaviors that guide how we work, how we treat each other, and how we treat our guests. We believe that there is no better way to make someone's day than with a warm, fresh-baked bagel and a heart-felt good morning.

The Category Manager is responsible for sourcing and procurement execution across assigned categories for Bagel Brands. This role ensures the organization achieves optimal cost, quality, service, and risk outcomes in support of business performance across all brands and channels.

Partnering cross-functionally, the Category Manager manages supplier relationships, supports contracting and negotiation activities, and drives cost savings and continuous improvement initiatives. This role ensures supply continuity and supplier performance while supporting the guest experience in alignment with Bagel Brands Mission, Vision, and Values.

Department: Supply Chain

Annual Salary: $95,000 to $105,000

Targeted Bonus: 15%

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBLITIES

Category Management & Sourcing Execution

• Own category and supplier relationship management for assigned spend categories (approximately $20M-$30M), including 90-120 SKUs
• Execute sourcing strategies that balance cost, quality, service, reliability, and supply risk
• Lead and support RFP/RFQ processes including supplier evaluation, data analysis, and recommendation development
• Identify and execute cost savings opportunities and sourcing initiatives that drive year over year financial improvement
• Monitor category performance and recommend sourcing adjustments based on market conditions and business needs

Supplier Management & Contract Execution

• Manage supplier relationships and performance across assigned categories
• Conduct regular supplier business reviews to assess quality, delivery, cost, and compliance performance
• Support negotiation and execution of supplier agreements including pricing, service terms, and commercial structures
• Maintain contract documentation including agreements, amendments, NDAs, and related supplier records
• Develop contingency plans to mitigate supply risk, including sole source exposure

Cross Functional Partnership & Business Support

• Partner with R&D, Marketing, Operations, Quality, and Finance to support sourcing needs for LTOs, innovation, and new concept development
• Provide insights on supplier performance, market trends, and supply risk factors to internal stakeholders
• Support product commercialization efforts by identifying supplier options and evaluating sourcing feasibility
• Ensure supplier compliance with Bagel Brands quality, regulatory, and certification standards

Data, Analysis & Continuous Improvement

• Analyze spend, supplier performance, and market data to support sourcing decisions and category insights
• Maintain accurate tracking of supplier performance metrics and sourcing outcomes
• Support process improvement initiatives within procurement and category management functions
• Provide clear, accurate reporting to Supply Chain leadership and cross-functional partners

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES (MANAGER)

• Effective Communication: Communicates clearly and concisely with cross-functional partners, translating sourcing data, supplier information, and market insights into actionable recommendations. Adapts communication style based on audience.
• Accountability and Ownership: Takes ownership of category performance, supplier outcomes, and sourcing deliverables. Follows through on commitments and proactively addresses gaps or risks.
• Adaptability and Perseverance: Responds effectively to shifting priorities, supply market changes, and ambiguity. Maintains focus on execution and outcomes despite challenges or constraints.
• Empowerment: Works collaboratively with internal partners and suppliers. Shares knowledge, supports decision making, and contributes to shared outcomes across the organization.
• Curiosity: Continuously seeks to understand supplier capabilities, market trends, and sourcing opportunities to improve cost, quality, and service outcomes.
• Self-Awareness: Seeks feedback, understands personal impact, and adjusts approach to strengthen partnerships and effectiveness across stakeholders.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree required
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in strategic sourcing, category management, or procurement in food, beverage, packaging, or restaurant environment
• Experience in multi-unit, multi-brand, or multi-region organizations preferred
• Strong experience in supplier negotiations, sourcing strategy development, and contract management
• Strong analytical and financial acumen with ability to interpret market data and model cost impacts
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple priorities independently
• Effective communication skills and ability to work in a matrixed environment

Physical Demands:

This role requires the ability to sit, stand, bend, lift, and move intermittently during working hours. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The duties of this position may change from time to time. The Company reserves the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of the Company or its managers. This job description is intended to describe the general level of work being performed. It is not intended to be all-inclusive.

Bagel Brands is committed to providing equal employment opportunity and fair treatment in employment for all individuals. We do not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Employment decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs.

**Ranges reflect what employer reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for such position.

The physical demands for this position are sits, stands, bends, lifts, and moves intermittently during working hours. These physical requirements may be accomplished with or without reasonable accommodations.

The duties of this position may change from time to time. Bagel Brands reserves the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of the company or its managers. This job description is intended to describe the general level of work being performed. It is not intended to be all-inclusive.

Bagel Brands is committed to providing equal employment opportunity, and fair treatment in employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender/gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, military status or any other basis in protected by applicable federal, state and local law. Bagel Brands makes employment decisions based solely on qualifications for the position.