Equipment & Smallwares Program Manager

Tropical Smoothie Cafe; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC is seeking an Equipment & Smallwares Program Manager in Atlanta to lead strategic sourcing, testing, and rollout of equipment and smallwares across the system. You will align Supply Chain with Design & Construction, Operations, Training, Culinary, and suppliers to meet financial and brand goals.

Responsibilities include developing category strategies, negotiating contracts, managing lifecycle initiatives, and guiding cross-functional projects from concept to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business, engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years in equipment procurement, strategic sourcing, or related roles.
• Experience with RFx processes, supplier evaluations, and negotiations.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute equipment and smallwares sourcing strategies for the system.
• Lead supplier selection, contract negotiations, and lifecycle management.
• Coordinate testing, pilot programs, and system-wide rollouts with cross-functional teams.
• Partner with Operations, Culinary, Training, and Design & Construction to evaluate technologies.
• Monitor supplier performance, lead times, warranties, and corrective actions.
• Create business cases with ROI, TCO and financial impact analyses.
• Ensure compliance with contracts and regulatory requirements.
• Communicate status and impacts to franchisees and internal stakeholders.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Contract negotiation

Supplier management

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

MS Word

Outlook

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC and its independently-operated franchisees help support those in our local communities. Employment opportunities at your local cafe are managed by the independent franchisees who run those cafes. Corporate opportunities at the support center in Atlanta, GA and the one company-operated cafe in Atlanta, GA are managed by Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC, the franchisor of the Tropical Smoothie Cafe system.

Position:Equipment & Smallwares Program Manager

Location: Atlanta, GA

Job Id:426

# of Openings:1

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

The Equipment & Smallwares Program Manager is responsible for the strategic sourcing, procurement, testing, commercialization, and system-wide implementation of equipment and smallwares across the TSC system. This role serves as the primary liaison between Supply Chain, Design & Construction, Operations, Training, Culinary, and supplier partners to ensure equipment and smallwares solutions meet operational, financial, and brand objectives.

This position is accountable for developing category strategies, leading supplier selection and contract negotiations, managing equipment and smallwares lifecycle initiatives, and overseeing new product and equipment rollouts. The Equipment & Smallwares Program Manager will lead cross-functional projects from concept through implementation, including equipment testing, specification development, new restaurant openings, remodel programs, and system-wide conversions. This role reports to the Vice President of Supply Chain Operations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Strategic Sourcing & Procurement

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for equipment, smallwares, and related operational assets across the system
• Lead competitive procurement events including RFIs, RFPs, RFQs, supplier/distributor evaluations, and contract negotiations
• Identify, qualify, and manage supplier partners to ensure alignment with quality, service, innovation, and cost objectives
• Conduct supplier capability assessments, factory visits, and product evaluations to support sourcing recommendations
• Lead cross-functional equipment and smallwares testing programs, including pilot testing, operational validation, and commercialization activities; coordinate pilot testing and operational validation activities with Operations serving as the business owner to define key operational requirements, success criteria, and final approval for implementation
• Partner with Operations, Culinary, Training, and Design & Construction teams to evaluate new equipment and smallware technologies and operational solutions
• Develop business cases and procurement recommendations supported by financial analysis, total cost of ownership, ROI, lifecycle cost, and operational impact assessments
• Establish and maintain equipment and smallwares specifications, standards, and approved supplier programs
• Coordinate the commercialization process, ensuring approved equipment and smallwares are transitioned into standard operating procedures, training, procurement, and implementation plans
• Manage equipment and smallware packages and procurement strategies for new restaurant openings, relocations, remodels, and refresh initiatives
• Lead system-wide equipment and smallwares rollouts, including project planning, supplier coordination, implementation schedules, risk mitigation, and stakeholder communication
• Serve as project manager for multiple concurrent initiatives, ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget, and according to business requirements
• Monitor supplier performance, service levels, lead times, quality metrics, warranty claims, and corrective action plans
• Conduct regular supplier business reviews that capture spend, performance, innovation pipelines, technology roadmaps, business growth strategies, and market developments
• Negotiate pricing, rebates, warranty terms, service agreements, inventory programs, and other commercial terms to maximize value for the brand
• Manage supplier contracts and ensure compliance with legal, operational, and commercial requirements
• Identify and execute cost savings and value engineering initiatives without compromising operational effectiveness or guest experience
• Evaluate emerging technologies, equipment innovations, and industry trends to improve restaurant efficiency, throughput, labor productivity, and profitability
• Develop contingency plans and alternate sourcing strategies to mitigate supply chain risks and business disruptions

Stakeholder Communication & Leadership

• Communicate project status, sourcing recommendations, implementation plans, and business impacts to franchisees and internal stakeholders
• Build collaborative relationships with Legal, Operations, Design & Construction, Training, Culinary, QA, Finance, and other internal stakeholders to drive successful project outcomes, as well as with supplier working teams and key executive contacts
• Act as a leader, manager, and mentor within the organization
• Other responsibilities as assigned by management

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• 5+ years of experience in equipment procurement, strategic sourcing, supply chain, restaurant development, facilities, or related roles
• Experience sourcing and managing foodservice equipment and/or smallwares categories
• Experience leading cross-functional projects and large-scale operational rollouts
• Experience managing supplier relationships, contract negotiations, and procurement initiatives
• Experience with equipment testing, commercialization, implementation, or restaurant development projects preferred
• Supply chain, restaurant operations, design and construction, or equipment management experience within the foodservice industry
• QSR or Fast Casual experience preferred

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Business, Engineering, Construction Management, Operations, Finance, or a related field
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, KNOWLEDGE, OR LICENSES

• Strong understanding of strategic sourcing, procurement, supplier management, and contract negotiation principles
• Experience conducting RFx processes and supplier evaluations
• Knowledge of foodservice equipment, smallwares, restaurant operations, and equipment lifecycle management
• Understanding of project management methodologies and change management principles
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
• Strong financial acumen, including total cost of ownership, ROI analysis, capital budgeting, and cost modeling
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and drive projects to completion
• Must be computer proficient (MS Word, Outlook, PowerPoint) with intermediate to advanced expertise in Microsoft Excel
• Experience with project management software and procurement systems preferred (e.g., [name TSC’s specific PM/procurement systems])
• CPSM, CPM, PMP, or similar certifications are a plus

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• This position requires up to 20% travel as needed to support supplier visits, equipment testing, restaurant openings, pilot programs, trade shows, and key business initiatives

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.