Job Description

Wow Bao is seeking a highly motivated Senior Manager Procurement & Raw Material Planner to join our team. This is a newly crated role that will lead procurement for the company and play a key role across the Supply Chain, and Operations teams. This role will support through continued growth and the execution of sourcing strategies, supplier management, and cross-functional collaboration.

This position requires 5 days a week on-site in Chicago, Illinois.

Why Join Wow Bao?

This is an exciting opportunity to have a direct impact on the operational efficiency of our plant. If you're passionate about transportation logistics and enjoy working in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment, we’d love to hear from you.

• Join the adventure! Be part of a fast-growing, innovative brand that’s shaping the future of food
• Make an impact. Opportunity for be part of a role during a pivotal expansion phase
• Collaborative and creative. Thrive in an entrepreneurial culture that values bold ideas and big growth
• Bao-tastic perks! Enjoy all the delicious, flavorful bao you can handle!

What We're Looking For:

• Self-starter who takes initiative and ownership
• Goal-driven mindset with a passion for logistics and operations
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities with poise
• Adaptable team player with a strong sense of urgency and accountability

ABOUT WOW BAO

At Wow Bao, we believe that life is too short for uninspired food. We’re here to transform the Asian Street Food experience from every day and expected to extraordinary and inventive. 

Wow Bao is the fastest growing Frozen Asian Snack brand in the United States! Through strategic relationships with retail partners Wow Bao is now available in over 16,000 grocery stores nationwide!

Wow Bao has a proud history of delivering restaurant-quality food, beginning in 2003 with the opening of our first location. Since then, we’ve grown into an omni-channel brand, serving guests through our retail business, food service, Chicago restaurants, airports, virtual kitchens, and universities. Today, we’re excited to take the next step in our journey with the launch of our corporate-owned food manufacturing plant—positioning Wow Bao for continued growth across all verticals.

Wow Bao is the only brand to be recognized three times by Fast Casual magazine as a Top 100 Movers & Shaker. Ranked no. 1 in 2019 and 2022 and no. 4 in 2023, we are the only brand to have taken home the honor more than once. 

WE FOSTER A CULTURE OF CARING

At Wow Bao, every team member leads from a place of care. Whether it’s our guests or employees, we put people first. We strive to inspire, motivate, and appreciate one another every day. We live by the golden rule and treat everyone with kindness, empathy, respect, and a healthy dose of humor. We take our work, not ourselves, seriously.

Requirements

• Execute sourcing across ingredients and packaging, ensuring alignment with cost objectives and quality standards
• Manage supplier interactions including day-to-day communications, performance tracking, and coordination of periodic business reviews.
• Hands-on execution of material planning, including purchase order placement
• Develop and manage material planning strategies to ensure adequate inventory levels across the network.
• Collaborate with Operations, Finance, Quality, and R&D to translate internal business needs into procurement action.
• Leverage spend analytics and budget forecasts to inform sourcing decisions and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Monitor commodity markets, supplier landscapes, and industry trends to inform purchasing decisions and risk mitigation planning.
• Lead RFP/RFQ processes and vendor evaluation and selection activities.
• Maintain procurement documentation including contracts, pricing trackers, forecasts, and supplier scorecards.
• Assist with monthly budget cycles, forecasting, invoice resolution, and cost variance analysis.
• Identify and evaluate co-packers for projects not manufactured in main facility
• Performs other projects as assigned by management.
• Ability to travel up to 25% to Manufacturing site in Forest City, NC
• Be available to assist and work during Wow Bao offsite events as needed.
• Perform calmly and effectively in an extremely busy and fast-paced work environment.

  ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Food Science, or related field required
• 5+ years of procurement or supply chain experience, preferably within food & beverage, CPG, or ingredient categories.
• Proven track record in ingredient sourcing, supplier relationship management, and vendor evaluation.
• Strong knowledge of commodity markets, category management, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Proficiency with ERP systems and advanced Excel skills; experience with spend analytics and forecasting tools preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage purchase orders, inventory planning, and material reconciliation across a distributed network.
• Experience with contract management, RFP/RFI processes, and cost-saving initiatives.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and ability to manage documentation (contracts, forecasts, supplier scorecards, pricing trackers).

The salary range for this position is between $115,000 to $125,000 with bonus potential. The actual salary amount will vary depending on the applicant’s experience, skills and abilities as well as internal equity and market data. Wow Bao is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Benefits

• Health Insurance (medical, dental, vision)

• 401(k) Retirement Plan

• Voluntary life insurance

• Voluntary disability insurance

• Paid Time Off

• Paid Sick Leave
• Restaurant discounts
• Employee Discount Programs with Perkspot and Working Advantage

• We foster a culture of CARE

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