Category Specialist

Job Responsibilities

1. Category Management

• Develop and execute category strategies aligned with culinary, operations, and financial goals
• Manage sourcing, RFPs/RFQs, and contract negotiations with manufacturers, distributors, and local suppliers
• Partner with culinary teams on menu development, product specification, and cost engineering
• Rationalize SKUs while maintaining flexibility for regional preferences and LTOs (limited-time offers)
• Monitor commodity trends (proteins, produce, packaging) and proactively manage cost and supply risk
• Deliver measurable cost savings and margin improvement

2. Distribution Network Management

• Design and manage distribution strategy across:
  • Non-food distributors (e.g., Ed Don, Vestis, RTI & NuCO2)
  • Direct Store Delivery (DSD) suppliers
  • Regional vs. national supply models
• Optimize delivery cadence, order minimums, and case configurations to balance freshness, labor efficiency, and cost
• Ensure cold chain compliance and food safety standards across all nodes
• Drive continuous improvement in network efficiency and service reliability

3. Inventory, Availability & Waste Optimization

• Support implementation and maintenance of inventory and procurement systems
• Align category decisions with operational realities (storage constraints, throughput, prep complexity)

4. Supplier & Distributor Performance Management

• Own supplier and distributor relationships and performance outcomes
• Develop and manage scorecards focused on:
  • Fill rate / in-stock performance
  • On-time delivery (OTIF)
  • Product quality and consistency
  • Responsiveness and issue resolution
• Lead business reviews with key partners
• Ensure compliance with contracts, pricing agreements, and service-level expectations

5. Venue Operations & New Store Openings

• Act as a key supply chain partner to venue operators and regional leadership
• Support new venue openings, ensuring sourcing, logistics, and inventory readiness
• Coordinate supply chain support for promotions, seasonal menus, and events
• Rapidly resolve supply disruptions that impact guest experience

6. Financial Management & KPIs

• Manage category spend and distribution costs across all venues
• Track and deliver against key KPIs:
  • Distribution cost per case
  • In-stock / fill rate %
• Identify and execute cost reduction and value engineering initiatives

7. Risk Management & Compliance

• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks (supplier constraints, logistics disruptions, commodity volatility)
• Develop contingency plans and secondary sourcing strategies
• Support QA with compliance with food safety, regulatory, and company standards

Key Skills & Competencies

• Deep understanding of foodservice distribution models
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills
• Ability to balance cost, quality, and guest experience
• Analytical mindset with strong financial acumen
• Cross-functional leadership (culinary, operations, finance)
• Advanced user of MS Office Suite,
• ERP, procurement, and inventory systems

Preferred Experience

• Experience in high-volume, multi-unit environments (e.g., eatertainment, casual dining,)
• Experience supporting rapid expansion or new venue openings

BENEFITS

Free Play & 1/2 price food! Health, dental, vision, 401(k) playmaker match, free mental well-being platform – and that’s just for starters for those who qualify. View playmaker benefits here.

ADAThe above statements cover what are generally believed to be principal and essential functions of the job. Specific circumstances may allow or require some incumbents assigned to the job to perform a different combination of duties.EEO StatementTopgolf is a global sports and entertainment community and is committed to equal opportunity and is firmly committed to preventing discrimination and harassment, including sexual misconduct, based on legally protected diversity characteristics (such as race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family status, citizenship, genetic information and veteran status) in its application and hiring processes and in its employment decisions.  As an affirmative action employer, Topgolf also takes steps to prevent retaliation and to create a respectful, equitable and inclusive environment for our Guests, Associates, business partners, vendors, and the communities we serve.Topgolf is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer and administers all personnel practices without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, veteran status, genetics or any other category protected under applicable law.Topgolf Entertainment Group does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. Please do not forward unsolicited agency resumes to our website, employees or Human Resources. Topgolf will not pay fees for unsolicited agency resumes and will not be responsible for any agency fees associated with unsolicited resumes. Unsolicited resumes received will be considered property of Topgolf Entertainment Group and will be processed accordingly without fee.Topgolf participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.