Director Procurement-Protein

Texas Roadhouse; Louisville (KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Paid maternity leave

Generous time off

Wellness programs

401(k) and tuition reimbursement

Stock units

Job summary

Texas Roadhouse in the United States is seeking a Director of Procurement - Protein Commodities who will lead protein sourcing, contracting, forecasting, and vendor relationships to ensure quality, safety, and cost efficiency.

This remote or hybrid role requires deep knowledge of pork, chicken, dairy, beef, and market dynamics, with a focus on cost reduction, supplier audits, and cross-functional collaboration with Culinary and Operations teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, economics, supply chain, food science, animal science, agricultural business, or a related field.
• 7+ years of progressive purchasing, sales, or pricing experience in proteins or other perishable food categories, including negotiation and pricing analysis.
• Experience working with protein suppliers, processors, packers, or production facilities.
• Experience procuring protein products such as pork, chicken, dairy, or beef.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate purchases for protein items, with primary focus on pork, chicken, and dairy; back-up for beef procurement.
• Analyze protein markets to forecast company needs, product availability, and cost of goods sold.
• Review, evaluate, and approve product specifications for issuing and awarding business.
• Monitor inventories and purchase spot products when necessary or advantageous.
• Develop purchasing procedures that ensure quality standards while minimizing costs.
• Collaborate with Culinary and cross-functional partners on cost-improvement initiatives.

Skills

Negotiation

Forecasting

Vendor management

Cost analysis

Collaboration

Food industry knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Position Overview

The Director of Procurement - Protein Commodities is an expert in protein purchasing and supports restaurant operations with priorities of quality, food safety, and price. This role oversees day-to-day sourcing and contracting functions for protein items and plays a critical role in forecasting market conditions, managing vendor relationships, and ensuring cost-effective procurement strategies.

Position can be Remote or Hybrid schedule depending on selected candidate's experience. *

Responsibilities

• Negotiate purchases for protein items in all formats, with primary responsibility for pork, chicken, and dairy, and serve as back-up for beef procurement. Preference will be given to those displaying comprehensive knowledge of beef cuts.
• Analyze protein markets to forecast company needs, product availability, and cost of goods sold.
• Review, evaluate, and approve product specifications for issuing and awarding business.
• Monitor inventories and purchase spot products when necessary or advantageous.
• Manage audits of pricing received for applicable product categories.
• Develop purchasing procedures that ensure quality standards while minimizing costs.
• Support operations and distribution partners by resolving purchasing and distribution issues.
• Partner with Food Safety to address quality and safety matters related to protein sourcing.
• Research and source alternate vendors, coordinating evaluations, testing, and approvals.
• Collaborate with Culinary and cross-functional partners on continuous cost improvement initiatives.
• Review product claims, ensure payment accuracy, and coordinate corrective actions with suppliers.
• Resolve vendor grievances and claims.
• Represent the company in supplier negotiations and contract formulation.
• Prepare reports and presentations on market conditions, costs, and forecasts.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, economics, supply chain, food science, animal science, agricultural business, or a related field
• 7+ years of progressive purchasing, sales, or pricing experience in proteins or other perishable food categories, including negotiation and pricing analysis
• Experience working with protein suppliers, processors, packers, or production facilities
• Experience procuring protein products such as pork, chicken, dairy, or beef

Why You'll Love Your Job

As our founder Kent Taylor said, "We're a people-first company that just happens to serve steaks." We believe in taking care of the whole Roadie: from professional development opportunities to a robust benefits package. Our culture is just one reason why many of our leaders started as servers, managers, and line cooks, and have grown Legendary careers with us. Here’s a taste of what we offer:

• Best-in-class benefits including medical, dental, vision, and 100% paid maternity leave
• Generous time off including vacation, parental, donor, and bereavement leave
• Wellness perks like on-site personal trainers, massages, a full gym, and a registered nurse
• Convenience services like car detailing, dry cleaning, and even spray tans
• Financial support with 401(k), tuition reimbursement, stock units, and holiday bonuses
• Delicious perks from Willie’s Joynt-our full-service cafe serving up legendary meals

Support Center employees who meet benefit eligibility receive a comprehensive total rewards package starting the first day of the month after 31 days of employment.

This job description includes essential functions and basic duties and is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as appropriate. This document is not a contract of employment, and the Company reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the Company may deem appropriate.

This job description includes essential functions and basic duties and is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee’s ability to perform the position described. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, and abilities. The Company reserves the right to modify this job description at any time.

Equal Opportunity

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, pregnancy, gender identity, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, citizenship, national origin, or any other legally protected status.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, pregnancy, gender identity, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, citizenship, national origin, or any other legally-protected status. We encourage and welcome all applicants to apply.