Company Name

Wendy's Quality Supply Chain Co-op

Search Job Title

VP of Procurement

Client Profile

Wendy's Quality Supply Chain Co-op (QSCC) is an independent, not-for-profit cooperative that manages purchasing, logistics, distribution, and supply chain services for the Wendy's® restaurant system. Established in 2010, QSCC leverages nearly $4 billion in purchasing power to support Wendy's restaurants by negotiating with suppliers, managing strategic sourcing initiatives, and ensuring a consistent supply of high-quality products throughout the quick-service restaurant network.

Operating as an extension of the Wendy's family while maintaining an independent governance structure, QSCC plays a critical role in supplier management, procurement strategy, and cost optimization across one of the largest restaurant systems in North America.

Role Objectives & Challenges

QSCC sought a Vice President of Procurement to lead the organization's sourcing strategy while continuing to strengthen supplier partnerships, procurement programs, and category management processes across the enterprise. The position was responsible for developing purchasing strategies that balanced cost management with supplier collaboration, ensuring Wendy's remained a preferred customer within its supplier community.

The search required far more than an experienced procurement executive. Leadership wanted a recognized thought leader with a deep understanding of the quick-service restaurant industry and the interconnected relationship between procurement, logistics, distribution, supplier management, and process governance. The successful candidate needed to demonstrate not only strategic sourcing expertise, but also the ability to build world-class procurement practices capable of supporting one of the largest purchasing cooperatives in the restaurant industry.

Finding that combination proved exceptionally challenging. The ideal executive required more than fifteen years of progressive procurement leadership within foodservice or a closely aligned supplier organization, along with a proven record of developing procurement organizations, strengthening supplier relationships, and driving continuous improvement across complex sourcing operations. Just as importantly, the client sought a leader whose interpersonal skills matched their technical expertise—someone capable of building trusted partnerships while influencing both internal stakeholders and strategic suppliers.

Our Approach to Solve the Search

The engagement began with an extensive discovery process involving QSCC's Senior Director of Human Resources and Executive Vice President to fully understand the leadership profile, industry background, and procurement expertise required for the position. These early conversations established a detailed picture of both the technical competencies and leadership characteristics needed to succeed within the organization.

A retained national search was launched targeting senior procurement executives across the quick-service restaurant, foodservice, and broader food and beverage industries. The search strategy also extended into supplier organizations serving the restaurant industry, recognizing that many of the strongest procurement leaders develop their expertise from both the customer and supplier perspectives.

Leveraging SCM Talent Group's executive search methodology, proprietary database, and long-standing relationships throughout the food and beverage sector, more than 200 executives were identified and evaluated. Weekly strategy sessions with QSCC leadership allowed both teams to review market feedback, refine the search, and maintain close alignment throughout the engagement.

The search ultimately produced a highly qualified slate of five finalists whose backgrounds reflected the technical expertise, leadership capabilities, and industry experience required for the role.

The Hire & Results

From the large pool of procurement executives, five candidates advanced to final consideration, with three invited onsite to meet with the executive leadership team. Each finalist possessed significant procurement leadership experience within the foodservice industry and demonstrated strong capabilities in strategic sourcing, supplier management, and procurement operations.

The selected candidate distinguished herself through a balanced combination of procurement expertise, leadership maturity, and exceptional relationship-building skills. Beyond her experience developing world-class procurement organizations and implementing best practices, she demonstrated the ability to foster collaborative supplier partnerships while driving the discipline and continuous improvement expected within a highly sophisticated procurement function.

The search was completed in approximately three months, delivering a successful executive placement through a highly collaborative partnership between QSCC and SCM Talent Group. Weekly communication, ongoing market calibration, and a disciplined evaluation process enabled the organization to confidently select a procurement leader capable of advancing sourcing strategy, strengthening supplier relationships, and supporting one of the largest purchasing organizations in the quick-service restaurant industry.

This engagement reflects SCM Talent Group's ability to identify transformational procurement leaders for organizations where sourcing excellence extends beyond purchasing alone. By combining deep industry expertise with a consultative executive search process, the team delivered a leader equipped to elevate procurement strategy while strengthening the supplier partnerships that support long-term operational success.