VP of Supply Chain

Company Profile:

At CAVA we make it deliciously simple to eat well and feel good every day. We are guided by a Mediterranean heritage that’s been perfecting how to eat and live for four thousand years. We prioritize authenticity, curiosity and the pursuit of excellence in everything we do. We are working towards something big, together.  

We foster a culture built on five core values: 

·         Generosity First: We lead with kindness. Our best work happens when we act in of others.

·         Constant Curiosity: We are eager to learn, grow, and explore beyond the obvious.

·         Act with Agility: We welcome change; it’s the only constant. We embrace, adjust, adapt.

·         Passion for Positivity: We greet each day with warmth and possibility.

·         Collective Ambition: We have high aspirations that are achieved when we work together with a shared purpose.

Senior Vice President (SVP), Supply Chain

The Senior Vice President (SVP) of Supply Chain is a key executive leader and strategic growth partner for the enterprise responsible for the strategy, performance, and continuous optimization of the end-to-end supply chain across a national restaurant system generating $1B+ in annual revenue and operating 400+ locations.

What You’ll Do

Enterprise Supply Chain Strategy

• Develop and execute a scalable, multi-year supply chain strategy aligned with growth objectives (supplier partnerships, new unit expansion, geographic growth, format innovation).
• Design and scale a supply chain organization embodying transformation leadership, growth scaling capabilities and enterprise system thinking.
• Develop strong, collaborative supplier relationships to support operational excellence, consistent quality, and uninterrupted restaurant execution.
• Lead long-range capacity planning to support 500+ restaurants and future expansion to more than 1,000 restaurants by 2032.
• Oversee design and optimization of a national distribution networks (broadline, specialty, and direct supplier relationships).

Strategic Sourcing & Procurement

• Oversee sourcing of food ingredients, proteins, produce, beverages, packaging, and grocery items.
• Lead enterprise-level supplier negotiations and contract management to maximize value and ensure long-term partnerships.

• Build resilient sourcing strategies to mitigate commodity volatility, geopolitical risk, and supply disruption.

• Accountable for near-term as well as long-term supply + pricing risk
• Owns enterprise-level long range supply network strategy

Distribution & Logistics

• Manage third-party distribution partners (e.g., broadline distributors) and specialty distributors to ensure OTIF performance across all markets.
• Optimize freight, warehousing, and transportation strategy to reduce cost-to-serve.
• Oversee inventory planning and replenishment models to balance in-stock performance with waste reduction.
• Ensure seamless supply chain support for new restaurant openings and remodel programs.
• Minimize disruption to field operations team and proactively communicate potential challenges in supply and/or delivery.

Food Safety & Quality Assurance (in partnership with the FSQA leader)

• Maintain rigorous food safety, traceability, and regulatory compliance standards across the supplier network.
• Lead crisis management protocols for recalls, supply disruptions, or quality issues.
• Ensure adherence to USDA, FDA, and local regulatory requirements.
• Champion continuous improvement in product quality and supplier auditing programs at restaurants and suppliers.

Financial & Performance Management

• Own supply chain P&L impact, including cost of goods sold (COGS), distribution expense, and supply-related capital expenditures.
• Drive margin improvement through strategic sourcing, demand forecasting accuracy, and waste reduction.
• Develop and track KPIs such as COGS %, inventory turns, OTIF, supplier performance, and forecast accuracy.
• Partner with Finance on commodity forecasting, scenario planning, and long-term financial modeling.

Technology & Analytics

• Lead digital transformation initiatives across supply chain systems (ERP, forecasting tools, procurement platforms).
• Leverage data analytics to improve demand planning, waste reduction, and supplier performance visibility.
• Implement automation and reporting solutions to enhance real-time decision-making across 400+ locations.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Collaborate closely with:
• Operations to ensure restaurant execution excellence and minimal supply disruption.
• Culinary & R&D commercialize new menu items efficiently and cost-effectively.
• Development & Construction to support new unit openings.
• Marketing to execute promotional calendars and LTO supply plans.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CFO, CEO and executive leadership team.

People & Organizational Leadership

• Lead and develop a high-performing supply chain organization (procurement, planning, QA, logistics).
• Build succession plans and leadership pipelines for enterprise continuity.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence.

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Business, or related field (MBA preferred).
• 20+ years of progressive supply chain leadership experience, with significant executive-level experience.
• Experience leading supply chain operations for a multi-unit restaurant, retail, or foodservice organization (500+ locations preferred).
• Proven expertise managing national distribution networks and broadline partnerships.
• Strong knowledge of commodity markets (proteins, produce, packaging).
• Demonstrated experience managing large-scale COGS and distribution budgets.
• Deep understanding of food safety and regulatory compliance standards.

Preferred

• Experience in high-growth, multi-region restaurant brands.
• Experience supporting rapid new unit development (50+ openings annually).
• Background in vertically integrated or complex fresh-food supply chains.
• Lean/Six Sigma certification or equivalent operational excellence experience.

*This role is located on-site in one of our Support Centers Washington, D.C., Plano, TX, or NYC with commitment to be in-office 3 days a week.

 What we offer:

• Competitive salary, plus bonus and long-term incentives*
• Early Wage Access!
• Unlimited PTO, paid parental leave, plus paid opportunities to give back to the community
• Health, Dental, Vision, Telemedicine, Pet Insurance plus more!
• 401k enrollment with CAVA contribution
• Company-paid STD, LTD, Life and AD&D coverage for salaried positions*
• Free CAVA food
• Casual work environment
• The opportunity to be on the ground floor of a rapidly growing brand
• All exempt and non exempt employees are eligible for benefits. Benefits are effective the 1st of the month following 30 days of service and you have until the day before the effective date to enroll. A new hire can enroll in our benefit program by selecting a link that is emailed directly to the new hire at their personal email address once hired.
• Please note that visa sponsorship is not available.
• The posting range is an all cash range.