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.
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.
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, or an agricultural-related field (e.g., Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Business, Meat or Animal Science) required
7–10 years of progressive purchasing and/or sales and pricing experience with proteins, including forecasting, negotiating, and complex pricing analysis. Exposure to packers and slaughterhouse production facilities required.
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 café 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.
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.
Texas Roadhouse was founded in 1993 with the mission of providing Legendary Food and Legendary Service.
In our restaurants and at our Support Center, we are committed to our shared Core Values of Passion, Partnership, Integrity, and Fun with Purpose. These Core Values form the foundation of who we are as a company and how we interact with respect, appreciation, and fairness towards one another every day.
We are steadfast in providing Legendary Opportunity for our Roadies. Our company is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, gender, gender identity, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, citizenship, national origin, or any other legally–protected status.
We are also proud of our open-door culture, where Roadies can raise concerns to anyone – from their immediate Manager to the Leadership Team. It’s important that Roadies have a voice and can be heard. We don’t want to just know what is going right, but we also want to address questions, concerns, and find out what we can do better.
As our company continues to grow, we are proud to welcome guests, business and community relationships, and our Roadies from all walks of life to join our family!
At Texas Roadhouse, diversity, inclusion, and opportunity are a big part of our culture. We invite you to join us and share in our commitment to being one of the best employers in town.
