Director, Supply Chain & Product Sourcing

Nando's PERi-PERi North America; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading restaurant group in Washington, D.C. is seeking a full-time Director, Supply Chain & Product Sourcing to enhance their supplier ecosystem and manage the full sourcing lifecycle. The role requires 10+ years of experience in foodservice supply chain, strong leadership skills, and a Bachelor’s degree in a related field. Responsibilities include collaborating with various teams for product innovation and ensuring compliance with food safety standards. This position demands in-person presence for effective team engagement and strategic planning.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in foodservice supply chain management, ideally with poultry experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in vendor, freight, and distribution management.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, GMPs, FSMA requirements, and GFSI schemes is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full sourcing lifecycle for ingredient and product quality.
• Build strong partnerships with suppliers for rapid innovation.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and quality assurance KPIs.

Skills

Leadership in multi-city distribution networks

Supply chain management

Relationship-building

Cross-functional leadership

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Food Science, or related field

Tools

Supply chain systems

Data analytics tools

Job description

Who We Are

Nando’s PERi‑PERi USA is a growing restaurant group looking for a full‑time Director, Supply Chain & Product Sourcing to join our Restaurant Support family. We’re known for our flame‑grilled chicken, our South African roots, and our passion for putting people at the center of everything we do. We believe in changing lives through food, connection, and opportunity — and we lead with heart in every decision we make.

(Commercial Team - Restaurant Support)

NANDO’S VISION

We want to be the most loved restaurant brand in North America — sharing the spirit of Nando’s PERi‑PERi with everyone who chooses to access it. We will redesign and build a business that thrives as it fully answers our consumers’ needs and endures over time by putting people at the heart of what we do. We will lead with our values and act with care, compassion, and kindness. By doing this, we will Change Lives Together, every day and everywhere.

THE ROLE

This Director role is a key leadership position within our Commercial team — responsible for building, strengthening, and stewarding the supplier ecosystem that keeps our restaurants running with excellence, consistency, and heart. You will lead the full “field‑to‑fork” supply chain for ingredients and products, ensuring that everything we serve reflects our brand hallmarks, our commitment to quality, and our ambition to scale. You will shape the sourcing strategy, deepen supplier partnerships, and ensure our supply chain is safe, resilient, and ready for the future. You’ll collaborate closely with Culinary, Operations, Marketing, and cross‑functional partners to bring new products to life, protect food safety, and ensure our restaurants have what they need to deliver 14 Brilliant Shifts. As with all members of the Nando’s Restaurant Support team, the Director of Supply Chain & Product Sourcing is expected to wear multiple hats, seek out opportunities to make Nando’s better every day, and be a values‑led teammate who lifts others through clarity, care, and collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

Supply Chain & Product Management

• Lead the full sourcing lifecycle for all ingredients and products — from field to fork — ensuring quality, consistency, and alignment to brand hallmarks.
• Partner with Culinary, Operations, and Marketing to evaluate new products, assess feasibility, and ensure scalability across full‑service and fast‑casual environments.
• Serve as the connective tissue between suppliers, distributors, and internal teams to ensure smooth communication, proactive issue resolution, and operational readiness.
• Identify emerging trends, technologies, and supplier capabilities that strengthen efficiency, resilience, and distribution evolution.
• Oversee product transitions, exceptions, and communications to ensure restaurants have what they need to deliver brilliant experiences.

Supplier Collaboration & Commercialization

• Build strong, strategic partnerships with suppliers to enable rapid innovation and seamless product launches.
• Oversee product specifications, compliance, and quality standards during development, first production runs, and commercialization.
• Negotiate and manage supplier agreements that support long‑term brand objectives, cost stewardship, and supply reliability.
• Monitor supplier performance and proactively address risks to maintain consistency, integrity, and trust across the supply chain.

Food Safety & Quality Compliance

• Embed, measure, and calibrate food safety and quality assurance KPIs across all products — present and future.
• Ensure suppliers maintain scalable food safety programs aligned with FDA Food Code, FSMA, GFSI, and industry best practices.
• Monitor emerging food safety technologies and regulatory changes to keep Nando’s ahead of compliance requirements.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to ensure safe manufacturing, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement.

Cross‑Functional Leadership

• Collaborate with Operations, Culinary, Marketing, Training, and Commercial partners to ensure product readiness, operational feasibility, and brand alignment.
• Serve as a strategic advisor on supply chain risk, cost implications, and long‑term sourcing strategy.
• Support new restaurant openings and market expansion through supply chain readiness and vendor alignment.
• Lead with an “I am because we are” mindset — strengthening trust, removing friction, and ensuring shared success across functions.

WORK ARRANGEMENT

This role is based in Washington, D.C. and requires a strong in‑person presence to collaborate, mentor teams, and engage directly with key stakeholders. The schedule includes regular onsite days at our Restaurant Support Office, with flexibility to support strategic planning, supplier visits, and external engagements.

Typical Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Food Science, or related field preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in foodservice supply chain management, either on the client or vendor side; poultry experience a plus.
• Proven leadership in multi‑city distribution networks with custom ingredients in their portfolio (strongly preferred).
• Demonstrated expertise in vendor, freight, and distribution management.
• Familiarity with supply chain systems and data analytics tools to support performance measurement and decision‑making.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, GMPs, FSMA requirements, and GFSI schemes preferred.
• Ability to travel up to 25% across North America.
• Strong communication, relationship‑building, and cross‑functional leadership skills — grounded in care, clarity, and accountability.