Senior Manager, Food & Beverage Category Management

Senior Manager, Food & Beverage Category ManagementReports To – VP, Category ManagementLocation – Remote (U.S.) w/ travel up to 25% Full-Time, ExemptAbout Legends GlobalLegends Global is the premier partner to the world’s greatest live events, venues, and brands. We deliver a fully integrated solution of premium services that keeps our partners front and center through our white-label approach. Our network of 450 venues worldwide, hosting 20,000 events and entertaining 165 million guests each year, is powered by our depth of expertise and level of execution across every component — feasibility & consulting, owner’s representation, sales, partnerships, hospitality, merchandise, venue management, and content & booking — of world-class live events and venues.The Legends Global culture is one of respect, ambitious thinking, collaboration, and bold action. We are committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone can be authentic, make an impact, and grow their career. Winning is an everyday thing at Legends Global.The OpportunityWe are building a centralized Category Management function to transform how Legends Global sources, contracts, and manages the goods and services that power our portfolio of stadiums, arenas, convention centers, theatres, amphitheaters, and attractions. The Senior Manager, Food & Beverage Category Management will own the strategic sourcing lifecycle for all related categories across this diverse portfolio.This is a high-impact role that requires someone who can navigate a complex operating model where central procurement influences but does not mandate venue-level purchasing decisions. You will develop category strategies, negotiate enterprise agreements, and build supplier partnerships that deliver measurable value—while respecting that each venue operates under unique client requirements and local conditions.Position SummaryThe Senior Manager, Food & Beverage Category Management is a strategic procurement leader responsible for developing and executing comprehensive category strategies across Legends' portfolio of venues globally. This role will drive enterprise-wide procurement excellence across all food and beverage goods, and related services categories supporting our venue operations, concessions programs, premium hospitality experiences, and guest services.Reporting to the VP of Category Management, this position will aggregate spend, rationalize suppliers, negotiate national contracts, optimize costs, and build strategic supplier partnerships that deliver measurable value to Legends and our venue partners. The Sr. Manager will serve as the subject matter expert for all F&B and Hospitality related procurement activities, partnering closely with operations, finance, culinary teams, and venue leadership to balance cost, quality, innovation, and service delivery.This is a high-impact role requiring deep category expertise, sophisticated negotiation skills, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to influence stakeholders across a decentralized operating model where venues maintain operational autonomy.Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Category ManagementDevelop and execute multi-year category strategies for food, beverage, hospitality goods, and related services categories across the Legends portfolioLead spend analysis, market assessments, and total cost of ownership (TCO) evaluations to identify consolidation and optimization opportunitiesDesign and implement supplier rationalization initiatives that balance standardization with venue-specific operational requirementsBuild and maintain category roadmaps that align procurement initiatives with broader business objectives and growth strategiesPartner with culinary leadership and operations teams on menu engineering initiatives that optimize product mix, cost structures, and guest satisfactionEstablish category performance benchmarks, KPIs, and dashboards to track savings, compliance, supplier performance, and program adoptionSourcing & Contract NegotiationLead strategic sourcing events (RFIs, RFPs, etc.) for national and regional agreements across all assigned categoriesNegotiate complex, multi-year master agreements and pricing structures that deliver competitive pricing, favorable terms, and operational flexibilityStructure innovative deal frameworks including volume commitments, rebates, marketing funds, performance incentives, and cost escalation protectionsDevelop standardized contract templates, rate or pricing schedules, SLAs, and terms & conditions for F&B and hospitality categoriesManage contract lifecycle activities including renewals, amendments, price reviews, and supplier performance evaluationsBuild strong supplier partnerships with key broadline distributors (e.g., Sysco, US Foods), center-of-plate providers, produce suppliers, specialty/gourmet vendors, beverage suppliers (alcohol and non-alcohol), and hospitality goods manufacturersSupplier Relationship ManagementCultivate strategic relationships with senior leadership at key supplier organizationsConduct quarterly business reviews (QBRs) with top-tier suppliers to evaluate performance, address issues, and identify innovation opportunitiesOrganize product cuttings, menu tastings, and supplier showcases to introduce new products, trends, and cost-saving alternatives to venue or corporate stakeholdersFacilitate joint business planning sessions with suppliers to align on growth initiatives, promotional calendars, and supply chain resilience strategiesEstablish supplier scorecards and performance metrics tied to quality, service, delivery, innovation, and value creationResolve escalated supplier issues including product quality concerns, delivery failures, pricing disputes, and service gapsStakeholder Engagement & Change ManagementBuild consensus and drive adoption of national contracts across a decentralized venue network where mandates are not enforceableDevelop compelling value propositions, business cases, and ROI analyses that demonstrate the benefits of consolidated procurement programsConduct venue roadshows, webinars, and training sessions to educate stakeholders on available contracts, ordering processes, and program benefitsPartner with finance teams to track rebate accruals, validate supplier payments, and reconcile discrepanciesCollaborate with operations, culinary, and hospitality leadership to ensure procurement strategies support operational excellence and guest experience goalsServe as trusted advisor to venue GMs, executive chefs, and F&B directors on product specifications, supplier selection, and cost optimization strategiesProgram Governance & ComplianceEnsure compliance with corporate procurement policies, contracting authorities, ethical sourcing standards, and regulatory requirementsMaintain accurate category documentation including contracts, rate sheets, approved supplier lists, specifications, and program guidelinesSupport internal and external audits by providing procurement documentation, spend reports, and compliance evidenceMonitor supplier compliance with contractual commitments including pricing, service levels, insurance requirements, and diversity commitmentsRequired QualificationsEducation & ExperienceBachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts, or related field required; MBA or relevant advanced degree preferred8+ years of progressive procurement or category management experience with at least 5 years focused on food, beverage, and/or hospitality categories3+ years of experience in a leadership or senior individual contributor role managing complex, multi-stakeholder procurement programsProven track record of delivering measurable cost savings, process improvements, and supplier performance enhancements in a high-volume, fast-paced environmentIndustry & Category ExpertiseDeep knowledge of food and beverage supply chains including broadline distribution, center-of-plate proteins, produce, dairy, specialty/gourmet ingredients, and dry goodsStrong understanding of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage categories including beer, wine, spirits, soft drinks, energy drinks, coffee, and other beveragesFamiliarity with hospitality goods and services categories including smallwares, F&B disposables, linens, tabletop, and guest amenitiesUnderstanding of foodservice equipment categories including cooking equipment, refrigeration, warewashing, beverage systems, and kitchen smallwaresExperience working with nationally recognized suppliers in the hospitality, restaurant, sports venue, entertainment, travel, or leisure industriesKnowledge of back-of-house (BOH) and front-of-house (FOH) operations is highly valued; culinary or F&B operations background is a strong plusProficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word); advanced Excel skills strongly preferredBusiness acumen with understanding of P&L dynamics, margin structures, rebate programs, and cost allocation modelsStrong executive presence with ability to present confidently to C-suite audiences, supplier executives, and cross-functional leadership teamsProficiency with procurement tools and technologies including spend analytics platforms, eProcurement tools, contract lifecycle management (CLM) systems, and ERP systemsPreferred QualificationsExperience in sports, entertainment, hospitality, restaurants, hotels, convention centers, or similar high-volume, guest-facing environmentsKnowledge of sustainability practices, local sourcing initiatives, and ethical procurement standards in food and hospitality industriesFamiliarity with menu engineering principles, recipe costing, and bill-of-materials (BOM) structures for F&B operationsExperience managing national or multi-site procurement programs for organizations with $100M+ in annual spendWORKING CONDITIONSLocation: This role will be remote. Up to 25% domestic travel to venue sites, supplier facilities, and industry events. Travel will be concentrated around company meetings, RFP presentations, supplier negotiations, venue onboarding, product cuttings, and quarterly business reviews.PHYSICAL DEMANDSThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.NOTE:The essential responsibilities of this position are described under the headings above. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons. Also, this document in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.Legends Global is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, and encourages Women, Minorities, Individuals with Disabilities, and protected Veterans to apply. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.