Full-Time

Supervisor

Category Manager

McDonald's

McDonald's

10,001+ employees

Global fast-food chain with franchised model

Compensation Overview

$78.3k - $97.9k/yr

+ Bonus

Chicago, IL, USA

In Person

Category
Operations & Logistics (1)
Required Skills
Inventory Management
Product Management
Risk Management
Data Analysis
Excel/Numbers/Sheets
Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree required (Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering, or STEM fields)
  • Experience in strategic sourcing, category management, supplier relationship management, supply chain, procurement, engineering, or product development
  • Hands-on experience with negotiations and contract management
  • Strong project management and execution skills
  • Ability to balance reactive problem-solving with critical thinking
  • Strong analytical skills; able to structure and solve ambiguous problems
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Strong relationship-building skills; ability to lead through influence
  • Highly organized, proactive, and able to prioritize
  • Microsoft Office Suite required; advanced Excel skills meaningful
Responsibilities
  • Resolving equipment issues and support needs for various cross-functional projects that support the global or local markets
  • Translating industry trends, customer needs and opportunity analysis to design equipment specifications and execute long-term category strategy opportunities
  • Completing necessary tasks to gather key supplier data (i.e. volumes, costs, product and service performance statistics, financial information, etc.)
  • Identifying supplier risks and formulating suggested mitigation strategies
  • Reviewing and approving vendor performance standards and measurements
  • Providing input into annual category management strategies
  • Facilitating critical issues on behalf of suppliers and internal/external partners
  • Project management and execution support of category strategies, from equipment ideation, to testing protocols, to commercialization and deployment
  • Independently run assigned categories and supplier relationships
  • Negotiation of pricing, service agreements, preventative maintenance programs, warranty, etc. with suppliers
  • Ensure stock availability and inventory planning for new product releases and/or special programs
  • Understanding of manufacturing and logistics processes
  • Management of McDonald’s and Supplier risk and liability, cost mitigation.
  • Communication of new product releases as per above negotiations with alignment from stakeholders
  • Communicate, evaluate, measure, and implement Supplier Expectations with supplier base
  • Serve as an advocate for the Owner / Operator, Company and Supplier by leading successful resolution of field issues and minimizing recurrence through process improvement.
  • Executing all necessary communications to ensure accurate and timely flow of information to internal customers, partners, and suppliers
Desired Qualifications
  • 3–5 years of proven experience preferred
  • Experience in strategic sourcing, category management, supplier relationship management, supply chain, procurement, engineering, or product development (as a combined item if needed)
  • Hands-on experience with negotiations and contract management (could be both but listed as required)
  • Experience in QSR, restaurant industry, kitchen equipment, manufacturing, or international environments is a plus
  • McDonald’s experience (operations, finance, business insights, equipment, engineering, supply chain) a plus
  • Industry Certifications (e.g. P.E., PMP, CPM, CSCP, etc.) is a plus

McDonald’s operates a global network of fast-food restaurants offering burgers, fries, and other items, serving customers quickly and affordably. It uses a mix of company-owned and franchised locations, with revenue coming from store sales, franchise fees and royalties, and income from owning and leasing real estate. It relies on digital ordering, third-party delivery, and a rewards program to boost convenience and loyalty, plus family-friendly amenities. Its goal is to lead the quick-service restaurant space by delivering scale, a strong brand, and a broad digital ecosystem, while expanding through franchising and real estate.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Chicago, Illinois

Founded

1955

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • McValue 2.0 menu launched April 2026 boosts low-income traffic with $3 items.
  • Loyalty program drove $9 billion Q1 2026 sales across 70 markets.
  • Q1 2026 revenue hit $6.52 billion, up 9.4%, with 3.8% comp sales growth.

What critics are saying

  • Wendy's $3 menu erodes McDonald's low-income share within 6-12 months.
  • K-shaped economy cuts low-income traffic 15-20% over 12-24 months.
  • US franchisees sue over McValue 2.0 margins, halting rollout by Q3 2026.

What makes McDonald's unique

  • McDonald's operates 45,699 restaurants across 120 countries serving 68 million daily.
  • Franchise model generates revenue from royalties, fees, and real estate leases.
  • Four Ds strategy emphasizes digital ordering, delivery, drive-thru, and development.

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Your Connections

People at McDonald's who can refer or advise you

Benefits

401(k) Company Match

401(k) Retirement Plan

Performance Bonus

Long Term Incentive

Company News

Yahoo Finance
Apr 14th, 2026
McDonald's adds Red Bull to menu as fast food chains battle for customers with low-priced meals

McDonald's has signed a deal to sell Red Bull energy drinks, adding Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer, Dirty Dr. Pepper and Mango Pineapple Refresher to its menu from August, according to confidential documents obtained by The Wall Street Journal. The move comes as McDonald's intensifies competition in the fast food sector, where it holds 49% of the US market. The company recently launched a $3 menu and $4 breakfast to attract cost-conscious customers, with CEO Chris Kempczinski stating the strategy aims to improve "value & affordability scores". Red Bull, which sold 14 billion cans last year generating $14 billion in revenue, competes primarily with Monster and Celsius in the energy drink market. McDonald's recent quarterly results showed comparable sales up 5.7% worldwide, with revenue rising 10% to $7 billion.

The Straits Times
Apr 13th, 2026
McDonald's to add energy drinks, crafted sodas to US menus, WSJ reports.

McDonald's to add energy drinks, crafted sodas to US menus, WSJ reports. The new beverages slated to roll out in May include a Dirty Dr Pepper and a Mango Pineapple Refresher, with the energy drinks to come in August, said the report. PHOTO: REUTERS Published Apr 13, 2026, 11:30 AM Updated Apr 13, 2026, 11:39 AM McDonald's is preparing to introduce a Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer as part of a broader revamp of its cold drink menu at its US restaurants later in 2026, the Wall Street Journal reported on April 12, citing company documents. The new beverages, slated to roll out in May, include a Dirty Dr Pepper and a Mango Pineapple Refresher, the report said. McDonald's energy drink offerings are expected to go on sale starting in August, the Journal added. Reuters could not immediately verify the report. McDonald's did not immediately respond to a Reuters' request for comment. According to the report, McDonald's plans to price the new drinks below offerings from competitors such as Starbucks, Dutch Bros, Sonic and other chains. This comes as restaurants compete to attract price-conscious diners worn down by economic uncertainties. Earlier in April, McDonald's introduced menu items priced at US$3 (S$3.80) or less and offered a US$4 breakfast meal deal in the US. Top stories. Explore top stories from all sections in one place

Inside the Magic
Apr 12th, 2026
End of an era: Disney Park McDonald's gets torn down.

End of an era: Disney Park McDonald's gets torn down. Credit: Michael Gray, Flickr It's the end of the era for the Golden Arches as one Disney park tears down a McDonald's restaurant that has served guests since the 1990s. My videos. The Golden Arches and Disney. McDonald's and The Walt Disney Company have collaborated since the 1980s, starting with Happy Meal toy partnerships and eventually expanding to the Disney theme parks. In the 1990s, kiosks serving French fries and other McDonald's staples appeared at Disneyland Park, Magic Kingdom Park, and EPCOT, and a full-service fast food restaurant opened in the Downtown Disney District (now Disney Springs) at Walt Disney World Resort. McDonald's eventually sponsored the now-closed DINOSAUR ride at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. You'll still find Disney-themed Happy Meal toys at your local McDonald's, but the brand disappeared from the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort theme parks in the early 2000s. Disney did not renew its contract with the brand as part of an effort to promote healthy eating for children, and the theme park kiosks, restaurants, and DINOSAUR sponsorship disappeared. The only McDonald's on Disney property in the United States is a standalone restaurant near Walt Disney World's All-Star Resort hotels. Still, McDonald's remained a staple overseas at Disneyland Paris Resort. After opening its first French location in 1972, the Golden Arches became a fast-food giant in the country. France eventually became the company's second-largest market. In the 1990s, a giant McDonald's opened in the Disney Village lifestyle complex. McDonald's leaves original Disney location. Last year, Disneyland Paris Resort announced the permanent closure of the decades-old McDonald's restaurant in the Disney Village shopping, dining, and entertainment district. The fast food giant has operated in the outdoor lifestyle complex for nearly 30 years. The restaurant remained open while construction continued on a more modern McDonald's nearby, but welcomed its final guests on February 16, 2026. X (formerly known as Twitter) user @cave0fwonders shared these photos and a video of the Golden Arches coming down: A page is turning... | [Translated from French] #disneylandparis @McDonaldsFrance Get your Happy Meal nearby. Luckily, European Disney Park guests won't have to go far to get their Big Macs and chicken McNuggets. The new Disney Village McDonald's opened near Lake Disney on February 17, with exclusive Disneyland Paris Resort merchandise and "an innovative architecture designed exclusively for Disneyland Paris." Have you ever spotted ongoing construction during your visit to Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, or an international Disney park? Share your experience with Inside the Magic in the comments!

Paxton Media Group
Apr 10th, 2026
McDonald's looks to build on south side of e'town.

McDonald's looks to build on south side of e'town. * BY GREG THOMPSON THE NEWS-ENTERPRISE * 9 hrs ago Residents and motorists on the south side of Elizabethtown will be lovin' this. The Burrell Family McDonald's operates the Golden Arches in Elizabethtown among others south along Interstate 65 and as far west as Evansville, Indiana. It is proposing construction of a new restaurant in a vacant lot across Roanoke Drive near Subway. The proposal will be taken up by the Elizabethtown Planning Commission at its meeting Tuesday. The lot at 100 Roanoke Drive near East Dixie Avenue will be subdivided with a portion of it being developed for the new McDonald's. "We are recommending approval, so it should be fairly smooth sailing," said Aaron Hawkins, city planner. According to a spokesperson with the Burrell Family McDonald's, the target date for opening is next spring. If the family-owned company is able to receive all of the necessary approvals, officials will be able to pull a construction permit by late summer or early fall. Business development on the south end of Elizabethtown has been an emphasis for Mayor Jeff Gregory, who took office in 2018. The city recently invested $4 million for sewer improvements and partnered with the state on road upgrades in the area. The arrival of QuikTrip and RaceTrac travel center joining the FiveStar in the area has helped boost traffic count from Exit 91 off Interstate 65 and the Western Kentucky Parkway. Traffic numbers are a key factor for national companies looking for development sites. In addition to the proposed McDonald's, a Dunkin' opened behind RaceTrac this year and Dewster's announced plans to build a second ice cream parlor in the 700 block of East Dixie, roughly a block from where Yokefellow Coffee Roasters opened last year.

Island Echo
Apr 9th, 2026
New images show how mcdonald's and Costa will look at St George's Way.

New images show how mcdonald's and Costa will look at St George's Way. New CGI images have revealed what the upcoming McDonald's and Costa Coffee drive-thrus at St George's Retail Park in Newport will look like. The latest visuals provide a clearer picture of how the fast food and coffee outlets will appear within the wider development at St George's Way. Construction is continuing at pace, with large sections of the steel framework now in place. The structure for the Costa Coffee drive-thru unit has now been completed, marking another key step forward in the delivery of the retail park. As previously reported by Island Echo, the development will include a mix of retail units and drive-thru facilities, with Aldi, McDonald's and Costa Coffee all expected to feature. However, full confirmation of all tenants has not yet been officially released but rumours vary from Halfords, to Home Bargains, B&M to Superdrug. Work remains ongoing across the former Newport IW FC football ground, with construction expected to continue throughout 2026 before the site becomes fully operational. All-Inclusive Resort in Riviera NayaritPalladium Hotel Group | Sponsored All-Inclusive Resort in Costa Mujeres, CancunPalladium Hotel Group | Sponsored 3 Comments Noble Member Enough is Enough 12 hours ago At least it should ease the amount of numpties going to Ryde McDonald's, very frustrating when going to Tesco's. 12 hours ago Cool - no need for the one on Three Gates Roads Cowes then. 11 hours ago Not another obesity shop. Ye God's, It makes you wonder whether someone is getting a backhander. All-Inclusive Resort in Riviera NayaritResort on Punta de Mita's stunning beaches. All-inclusive: food, cocktails, and activities at Grand Palladium Vallarta. Plus, a laid-back paradise for surfers!Palladium Hotel Group | Sponsored * Trending * Comments * Latest