Supply Chain Operations Manager

ABOUT US
tms unites technology, marketing, and sourcing to drive transformational change for the world's leading brands. With 1,200+ employees across 26 countries, we offer an impressive range of solutions - from inspiration and innovation to category management and delivery.
Operating as a creative agency, a strategic consultancy, a sourcing business, and a technology provider, we engage with over 110 million customers every single day for our clients, including McDonald's, T-Mobile, O2, Starbucks, and adidas.
Most importantly, we're a place where you can achieve great things, and be recognized as the best.
WHAT MATTERS THE MOST
Breakthrough, business-driving ideas come from extraordinary people with the freedom to be their most authentic selves at work. Authenticity and diversity are critical elements of our business. They can only be realized when we create access and equity for all. We foster a culture of inclusion and belonging and aspire to be ever-evolving.
tms is a place where brilliant people are better together. If you want your ideas to be heard and to contribute to a culture of inclusion and authenticity, bring us your voice! Visit us at tmsw.com .
ROLE SUMMARY
The Manager, Supply Chain Operations (SCO), is responsible for executing and delivering supplier and category strategies across assigned markets within the Packaging category. This role has end-to-end accountability for category outcomes, including supplier performance, sourcing execution, and supply assurance, ensuring alignment with customer requirements and regional priorities.
The Manager serves as the primary owner of supplier relationships within the assigned scope, building strong, trust-based partnerships to enable reliable, high-quality, and cost-effective delivery to the McDonald's system. The role drives consistent execution of global supplier engagement frameworks, performance metrics, and sourcing strategies, ensuring suppliers deliver against expectations across cost, quality, service, and innovation.
This position leads sourcing activities across packaging materials (e.g., paperboard, plastics, inks), including RFP/RFI processes, supplier selection, negotiations, and contract execution. The Manager is accountable for end-to-end procurement delivery within assigned categories, including supplier performance management, supply continuity, and risk mitigation through effective capacity and contingency planning.
The role ensures effective control of packaging supply to meet customer demand within the QSR system by driving supply planning alignment and managing supply risks. In addition, the Manager engages with customers where required to provide updates and ensure alignment on supply, cost, and performance outcomes.
The Manager partners closely with cross-functional teams-including Packaging Development, Global Sourcing Services, Quality, Compliance, and Commercial-to ensure alignment of sourcing strategies, product commercialization, and supply chain execution across markets. This role plays a critical part in translating category strategies into delivery outcomes while driving cost optimization, supply continuity, and operational efficiency.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Category Execution & Strategy Deployment

• Execute category strategies across assigned markets, ensuring alignment with regional and global objectives
• Translate strategic direction into actionable sourcing and supplier plans that deliver category outcomes
• Support development of category plans and ensure effective deployment at market level
• Ensure regional requirements and insights are reflected in supplier execution and decision-making
• Accountable for delivery of category outcomes across assigned markets (cost, supply, supplier performance)

Supplier Management & Sourcing Execution

• Lead Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) across assigned suppliers, including strategic and critical suppliers within scope
• Build and manage strong supplier partnerships to ensure reliable delivery, innovation, and cost competitiveness
• Lead sourcing activities including RFP/RFI processes, supplier selection, negotiations, and contract execution
• Drive supplier segmentation and portfolio management aligned with category and business objectives
• Provide direction and oversight to ensure effective supplier engagement and performance management

Supplier Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Own supplier performance against defined KPIs (cost, quality, service, innovation) and drive continuous improvement
• Lead implementation of supplier performance frameworks (e.g., STEP programs) to deliver foundational and transformational outcomes
• Partner with internal stakeholders and SMEs to align regional priorities with global supplier strategies

Supply Assurance & Risk Management

• Own supply continuity across assigned markets, including capacity planning, contingency planning, and production alignment
• Identify and mitigate risks related to supply disruptions, pricing fluctuations, quality issues, and supplier performance
• Manage raw material exposure and support cost-risk trade-off decisions
• Ensure uninterrupted supply of core and promotional products in line with customer expectations.

Financial & Cost Management

• Accountable for delivery of cost optimization and value creation targets within assigned category scope
• Manage pricing, cost drivers, and spend visibility across markets
• Ensure financial discipline in sourcing decisions and supplier agreements

Stakeholder & Cross-functional Engagement

• Act as key interface between suppliers, customers (where required), and internal stakeholders
• Collaborate with Product Development, Quality, Commercial, and Procurement teams to support sourcing, commercialization, and supply execution
• Provide input into product development, supplier selection, and risk management decisions
• Serve as escalation point for supplier and supply chain issues within assigned scope

Process, Governance & S2C Execution

• Ensure consistent execution of sourcing processes, supplier engagement frameworks, and procurement policies
• Lead Source-to-Contract (S2C) activities within scope, including negotiation support and contract execution
• Manage contract execution in partnership with central Procurement Services teams
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of supply, cost, and supplier performance reporting

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Experience: Typically 8+ years of experience in supply chain, procurement, or strategic sourcing, with a proven track record of delivering supplier performance and category execution outcomes
• Ownership & Results Orientation: Strong accountability for delivering cost, supply, and supplier performance outcomes within assigned scope
• Commercial & Negotiation Expertise: Proven ability to lead negotiations and deliver commercial outcomes across sourcing and supplier engagements
• Supplier & Relationship Management: Demonstrated capability to manage supplier relationships and drive performance through structured engagement and accountability
• Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to operate in a matrix environment, influencing cross-functional teams and aligning stakeholders to business objectives
• Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to analyze market trends, cost drivers, and operational data to support decision-making and resolve complex issues
• Risk & Supply Management: Strong understanding of supply continuity, risk mitigation, and cost-risk trade-offs within supply chains
• Business & Financial Acumen: Solid understanding of financial drivers, cost structures, and sourcing levers to support effective decision-making
• Drive & Accountability: Strong sense of urgency and ownership, with the ability to prioritize, manage complexity, and deliver results
• Collaboration & Communication: Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to drive alignment and resolve issues effectively
• Technical & Systems Capability: Proficient in Microsoft Office tools and familiar with procurement / sourcing systems
• Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, or related field; professional certifications (e.g., CIPS) are advantageous