Global Procurement Category Lead - Equipment, MRO and Spares

The Global Procurement Category Lead for Equipment, MRO and Spares is responsible for developing and executing global category strategies that optimise value, availability, lifecycle cost, supplier performance and operational resilience across Yum! Brands’ restaurant equipment ecosystem.

This category is focused on core kitchen equipment and the end-to-end commercial ecosystem that supports it, including equipment sourcing, landed cost management, inbound and outbound distribution, MRO requirements, spares procurement, critical spares optimisation, supplier service models, repair and maintenance support, and lifecycle cost management across Yum! Brands markets. 

• 8+ years’ experience in supply chain roles.

• 5+ years’ experience of global/regional strategic category management or procurement.

• Proven experience in global procurement or category management within equipment, MRO, spares, service, logistics or adjacent operational supply categories.
• Deep expertise in strategic sourcing, supplier strategy development, category lifecycle management, landed cost analysis and total cost of ownership management.

• High-level negotiation skills with experience in complex, multi-market agreements.

• Strong analytical and commercial acumen with ability to interpret demand data, landed cost models, supplier performance metrics, service-level data and financial models.

• Ability to build strong relationships and influence stakeholders across cultures and seniority levels.

• Comfort navigating ambiguity with resilience and adaptability.

• Self-starter with the ability to lead initiatives independently while collaborating cross-functionally.

• Excellent communication skills, including written, verbal, and leadership presentations.

• Integrity and commitment to compliance and ethical sourcing.

• Develop holistic global category strategies for core kitchen equipment, MRO and spares aligned with Yum! Brands’ long-term operational, commercial and brand objectives.

• Responsible for the leadership, coaching, and professional development of direct reports, ensuring capability growth and succession readiness.

• Lead complex, multi-country sourcing events across equipment, spare parts, MRO services, repair/service networks and associated distribution requirements using structured strategic sourcing methodologies.
• Conduct advanced negotiations with major suppliers to secure competitive equipment pricing, landed cost transparency, service-level performance, warranty support, spare parts availability, risk reduction and total cost of ownership benefits.
• Monitor global market dynamics, equipment innovation, supply chain risks, landed cost drivers, supplier capability, component availability and service infrastructure.

• Engage and influence stakeholders across brands, functions, and geographies.

• Support implementation of sourcing strategies across markets with clear guidance, governance, specifications, distribution models, approved supplier pathways and compliance expectations.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration with operations, development, supply chain, finance, quality, engineering and brand teams to ensure equipment programmes are aligned with restaurant performance and brand priorities.
• Drive consistent year-on-year value creation through equipment cost management, landed cost optimisation, supplier performance, spare parts efficiency, service model improvement and innovation.
• Lead critical spares strategy and optimisation, including demand visibility, inventory parameters, replenishment models, availability targets and risk-based stocking approaches for priority equipment platforms.
• Shape repair, service and maintenance procurement strategies to improve uptime, reduce lifecycle cost, strengthen supplier accountability and support consistent restaurant execution.

• Act as a proactive self-starter who can operate independently in ambiguous, fast-paced environments.

• Manage category risks across equipment supply, spare parts availability, service continuity, logistics disruption, inflation, compliance and supplier concentration, ensuring appropriate mitigation and business continuity plans are in place.
• Support franchise relationships to ensure franchisees understand and align to regional/global equipment, spares, service and sourcing strategies.