Equipment & Smallwares Program Manager

Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC and its independently-operated franchisees help support those in our local communities. Employment opportunities at your local cafe are managed by the independent franchisees who run those cafes. Corporate opportunities at the support center in Atlanta, GA and the one company-operated cafe in Atlanta, GA are managed by Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC, the franchisor of the Tropical Smoothie Cafe system.

Position:Equipment & Smallwares Program Manager

Location: Atlanta, GA

Job :426

# of Openings:1

The Equipment & Smallwares Program Manager is responsible for the strategic sourcing, procurement, testing, commercialization, and system-wide implementation of equipment and smallwares across the TSC system. This role serves as the primary liaison between Supply Chain, Design & Construction, Operations, Training, Culinary, and supplier partners to ensure equipment and smallwares solutions meet operational, financial, and brand objectives.

This position is accountable for developing category strategies, leading supplier selection and contract negotiations, managing equipment and smallwares lifecycle initiatives, and overseeing new product and equipment rollouts. The Equipment & Smallwares Program Manager will lead cross-functional projects from concept through implementation, including equipment testing, specification development, new restaurant openings, remodel programs, and system-wide conversions. This role reports to the Vice President of Supply Chain Operations.

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for equipment, smallwares, and related operational assets across the system
• Lead competitive procurement events including RFIs, RFPs, RFQs, supplier/distributor evaluations, and contract negotiations
• Identify, qualify, and manage supplier partners to ensure alignment with quality, service, innovation, and cost objectives
• Conduct supplier capability assessments, factory visits, and product evaluations to support sourcing recommendations
• Lead cross-functional equipment and smallwares testing programs, including pilot testing, operational validation, and commercialization activities; coordinate pilot testing and operational validation activities with Operations serving as the business owner to define key operational requirements, success criteria, and final approval for implementation
• Partner with Operations, Culinary, Training, and Design & Construction teams to evaluate new equipment and smallware technologies and operational solutions
• Develop business cases and procurement recommendations supported by financial analysis, total cost of ownership, ROI, lifecycle cost, and operational impact assessments
• Establish and maintain equipment and smallwares specifications, standards, and approved supplier programs
• Coordinate the commercialization process, ensuring approved equipment and smallwares are transitioned into standard operating procedures, training, procurement, and implementation plans
• Manage equipment and smallware packages and procurement strategies for new restaurant openings, relocations, remodels, and refresh initiatives
• Lead system-wide equipment and smallwares rollouts, including project planning, supplier coordination, implementation schedules, risk mitigation, and stakeholder communication
• Serve as project manager for multiple concurrent initiatives, ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget, and according to business requirements
• Monitor supplier performance, service levels, lead times, quality metrics, warranty claims, and corrective action plans
• Conduct regular supplier business reviews that capture spend, performance, innovation pipelines, technology roadmaps, business growth strategies, and market developments
• Negotiate pricing, rebates, warranty terms, service agreements, inventory programs, and other commercial terms to maximize value for the brand
• Manage supplier contracts and ensure compliance with legal, operational, and commercial requirements
• Identify and execute cost savings and value engineering initiatives without compromising operational effectiveness or guest experience
• Evaluate emerging technologies, equipment innovations, and industry trends to improve restaurant efficiency, throughput, labor productivity, and profitability
• Develop contingency plans and alternate sourcing strategies to mitigate supply chain risks and business disruptions

• Communicate project status,…