Category Manager, Dairy

About The Company

Founded in 2016, Foodtastic is already one of the largest restaurant companies in Canada. We have increased system sales in the last five years from less than $50mm to over $1B. Our current portfolio of 23 brands includes Milestones Grill & Bar, Second Cup Café, Pita Pit, Quesada, Freshii, La Belle et La Boeuf, and Rôtisseries Benny.

The Role

You will own the dairy and refrigerated category end to end — from strategic sourcing of fluid dairy, cheeses, butter, eggs, and cream‑based products to supplier negotiations, quality standards, and cost management across a national restaurant network spanning multiple brands and formats.

Dairy is a high‑frequency, operationally critical category. Supply continuity, cold chain integrity, and price management are non‑negotiable. You will be expected to anticipate market movements, manage DSD relationships alongside broadline distribution, and bring a proactive point of view to every sourcing decision.

You will work closely with culinary, supply chain, operations, and finance. The role has real accountability, direct supplier ownership, and meaningful room to grow.

What You Will Own

• Sourcing & supplier management: Build and manage relationships with dairy processors, DSD suppliers, and broadline partners. Own fluid dairy, cheese, butter, eggs, cream, and refrigerated ingredients across all banners.
• DSD & distribution management: Manage direct store delivery programs and coordinate with Sysco and other broadline partners. Understand the cost implications of each channel and optimize accordingly.
• Cold chain & quality: Set and enforce freshness, handling, and storage standards. Collaborate with QA on supplier audits and ensure compliance with food safety and CFIA requirements.
• Seasonal & market planning: Monitor dairy commodity markets and anticipate pricing trends. Adjust contracts and sourcing strategies to protect franchisee margins and manage cost volatility.
• Cost & profitability: Negotiate supplier contracts and PA structures. Work with Revenue Management to manage category P&L and identify cost‑saving opportunities without compromising quality or supply.
• Menu collaboration: Partner with culinary teams to plan dairy requirements for core menu and LTOs. Provide early cost and feasibility input before products go to franchisees.
• Supply chain optimization: Reduce complexity through vendor consolidation and SKU rationalization. Improve delivery frequency, minimize waste, and tighten inventory practices at the restaurant level.

What We Are Looking For

• 5+ years in procurement or category management, preferably in dairy, refrigerated, or fresh food in a foodservice or multi‑unit restaurant environment
• Direct experience managing DSD suppliers and understanding the cost structure differences between DSD and broadline distribution
• Familiarity with dairy commodity markets and how to manage pricing exposure through contracts and hedging strategies
• Hands‑on experience with cold chain logistics and food safety requirements for refrigerated products
• Strong negotiator with a track record of supplier relationships that deliver beyond the initial deal
• Analytically sharp — comfortable with data, pricing models, and cost analysis; Excel proficiency required, Power BI and NetSuite are assets
• Fluent in both French and English (oral and written)
• Highly autonomous — you manage your own priorities, move without waiting to be told, and take ownership of outcomes
• Comfortable with complexity — multiple brands, multiple formats, multiple stakeholders, always moving
• Familiar with CFIA regulations, food safety standards, and traceability requirements

Why Join Foodtastic

• Scope: You are not managing one brand or one category — you are building a strategy across one of Canada's largest restaurant portfolios.
• Autonomy: We hire smart people and trust them. You will have a real mandate and the space to execute it.
• Growth: We are still growing — through acquisition and organic expansion. There is room to grow with us.
• Team: Small, sharp, fast‑moving. No layers. Direct access to decision‑makers.

Benefits

• Market‑competitive compensation
• Group insurance — health, dental, and long‑term disability
• Virtual healthcare
• Summer Fridays
• Paid lunch hour
• Free parking, gym access, and snacks at the office
• Company social events

Compensation for this position is between 80-90k.