Supply Chain Category Manager - Packaging

WHO WE ARE

We’re not in the wing business. We’re in the flavor business. It’s been our mission to Serve the World Flavor since we first opened in 1994, and we’re just getting started. 1997 saw the opening of our first brand partner operated Wingstop location, and by 2002 we had served the world one billion wings. It’s flavor that defines us and has made Wingstop one of the fastest growing brands in the restaurant industry.

Above all else – our success is largely due to our people and our core values, or what we call The Wingstop Way of being entrepreneurial, service-minded, fun, and authentic. We believe having a strong people foundation centered on these collective values creates a crave-worthy culture and talented team, as well as ensures our brand is poised for accelerated growth. We all win together.

WHAT WE’LL NEED

The Packaging Category Manager will lead the strategy and commercial management of Wingstop’s approximately $100 million annual packaging spend. This role is accountable for ensuring that packaging solutions deliver the right balance of cost, quality, performance, sustainability, innovation, and supply continuity across Wingstop’s restaurant system.

You will develop and execute category strategies, lead competitive sourcing and negotiations, manage supplier performance, and identify opportunities to reduce total cost and mitigate risk. Working closely with Operations, Culinary, Marketing, Quality Assurance, Finance, and Distribution, you will support new product launches, restaurant growth, packaging innovation, and an exceptional guest experience.

This position requires a commercially driven category leader who can translate market intelligence, operational requirements, and data into actionable sourcing strategies and measurable business results.

• Develop and execute the category strategy for approximately $100 million in annual packaging spend, balancing cost, quality, service, innovation, sustainability, and supply continuity.

• Lead competitive sourcing, supplier selection, contract negotiations, and implementation across food-contact packaging and restaurant disposables.

• Deliver annual savings, cost-avoidance, purchase-price variance, and working-capital objectives using market intelligence, cost models, and total-cost-of-ownership analysis.

• Manage strategic supplier relationships and performance across quality, service, capacity, cost, innovation, sustainability, and contractual compliance.

• Monitor packaging commodities, legislation, and market conditions, including resin, paper, fiber, aluminum, freight, and labor. and translate changes into sourcing and risk-management actions.

• Partner with Legal and Quality Assurance to monitor evolving packaging regulations and Extended Producer Responsibility requirements, assess business impacts, support reporting obligations, and develop compliance strategies.

• Partner with Operations, Culinary, Marketing, Quality Assurance, Finance, and Distribution to commercialize new packaging, support product launches, and implement value-engineering initiatives.

• Develop supply-continuity strategies, including supplier diversification, capacity planning, contingency plans, and alternative material or manufacturing solutions.

• Lead packaging conversions and supplier transitions, ensuring effective testing, stakeholder alignment, supplier inventory management, and systemwide implementation.

• Use data and analytics to manage budgets, forecasts, pricing, contracts, supplier performance, inventory, and category risks while providing clear recommendations to leadership.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED 

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, or category management.
• Experience in sourcing and procurement in QSR, food service, food manufacturing, FMCG food, or consumer packaged food products strongly preferred.
• Proven experience developing procurement category strategies, leading supplier sourcing (RFIs/RFPs), commercial negotiations, contract management, and supplier performance management.
• Strong analytical skills with experience using data to identify trends, perform root cause analysis, and support business decisions.
• Senior project management, organizational, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint; Power BI or similar data visualization tools are a plus.
• Curiosity to leverage AI and digital tools to improve procurement analysis, reporting, and decision-making.
• Ability to travel up to 10%

WHO YOU ARE 

No job is too small. You recognize that the real work happens in the restaurants, and everything we do should support their success. You stay humble, roll up your sleeves, and always look for ways to help. You learn from others and contribute wherever you can.

You care deeply about doing great work and driving results. You’re curious, ask questions, and seek out opportunities to improve. You don’t just point out problems—you bring solutions, ideas, and perspectives that move the team forward.

You take full responsibility for your work and see things through to completion. You aren’t afraid to fail because you know that failure is a part of learning and growth. You take action, move fast, and keep pushing forward.

You lead with empathy, respect, and emotional intelligence. You collaborate effectively, fostering a culture of trust and constructive feedback. You understand the importance of teamwork and ensure that your actions build others up rather than break them down.

You push yourself and others to be better. You embrace healthy conflict, knowing that great ideas and strong teams emerge from honest, constructive conversations. You believe that leaders create leaders and are committed to fostering a culture of growth, challenge, and continuous improvement.

BENEFITS

FLAVOR PERKS:

• Unlimited paid time off for exempt employees

• One paid volunteer day of your choice

• Competitive bonus structure for eligible roles

• Team member stock purchase plan

• Health savings or flexible spending account options

• 401k – (dollar for dollar on the first 3% and then 50 cents on the dollar for the next 2% for team member contributions up to 5% of eligible compensation)

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits

• Basic life and AD&D insurance provided

• Pet insurance

• Education Assistance

• Wellness reimbursement program

• Paid maternity and paternity leave

FUN IS THE BEST FLAVOR:

• Lunch provided every Tuesday and Thursday in office

• Discount on Wingstop gift cards

• Onsite game room

Wingstop provides equal opportunities for everyone that works for us and everyone that applies to join our team, without regard to sex or gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, any service, past, present, or future, in the uniformed services of the United States (military or veteran status), or any other consideration protected by federal, state, or local law.