Restaurant Solutions Director - McDonald's (Open to Remote within US)

Job Purpose and Impact

The Restaurant Solutions Director - McDonald’s (Open to Remote within US) serves as Cargill’s senior, field customer‑facing leader responsible for translating Cargill’s strategies into executable, profitable, and value‑creating solutions across McDonald’s restaurants. This role ensures the Restaurant Solutions Team delivers best‑in‑class field execution, technical credibility, and commercial impact across our McDonald’s portfolio including beef, oil, eggs, tortillas, and salt.

The role also owns global commercial leadership for Salt within the McDonald’s system, partnering cross‑functionally to drive inclusion, expansion, and long‑term growth of Cargill Salt across geographies.

The position leads a geographically dispersed team of Restaurant Solutions Advisors aligned to all ten U.S. McDonald’s Field Offices, with direct influence on systemwide execution, customer satisfaction, and commercial outcomes across multiple product categories. It also drives global Salt growth enablement for McDonald’s, including advancing emerging market expansion and supporting strategic pilots.

This is an open to remote role within US, preferably location is Chicago, Minneapolis or Wichita. 50% travel is required to cover the area of responsibility.

Key Accountabilities

• Serve as the primary field leadership liaison between Cargill and McDonald’s U.S., building trusted relationships across Owner Operators, Field Offices, Distribution Centers, and the supplier community.
• Represent Cargill as a trusted restaurant advisor, ensuring solutions align with operational realities and uphold McDonald’s standards for quality and execution.
• Lead hands-on field engagement to support high-visibility initiatives, including launches, pilots, and systemwide programs that drive execution excellence.
• Translate restaurant-level insights into actionable strategies for Commercial, R&D, Culinary, and Innovation teams to inform scalable solutions.
• Drive commercial strategy and growth for the global salt category, identifying new opportunities and aligning cross-functional teams to deliver customer-focused innovation.
• Build and develop high-performing field team by coaching talent, strengthening back-of-house credibility, and ensuring consistent execution and accountability.
• Build and leverage strong internal networks to drive optimal solutions by leading cross-functional collaboration, shaping long-term strategy, anticipating challenges, and influencing stakeholders through tailored storytelling that aligns and energizes them around strategic objectives.
• Develop plans and deliver results in a fast-changing business or regulatory environment, while leading and developing a team of experienced professionals and supervisors, coaching and making decisions related to talent management, hiring, performance and disciplinary actions. You will also collaborate with managers and supervisors in your organization to ensure staff selections align with current and future needs.
• Other duties as assigned.

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Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience
• Minimum of six years of related work experience in foodservice, QSR (Quick Service Restaurant), or customer‑facing commercial roles Experience in the Food Service or Hospitality industry
• Experience developing and executing strategy
• Experience understanding customer context, uncovering key performance indicators, articulating customer objectives and adding value to partnerships
• Experience in business development in highly competitive, mature markets
• Experience leading in a multicultural, cross functional and multi-location team environment
• Able and willing to travel for business up to 50%
• Valid driver’s license in good standing

Preferred Qualifications

• Three years of supervisory or leading experience, proven ability to lead and develop remote‑based teams
• Proven project management skills to lead complex and/or digital projects
• In-depth knowledge of food ingredients, specialty food industry or fast-moving consumer goods
• Deep financial acumen and expertise
• Prioritization and time management skills
• Strong back‑of‑house credibility
• Demonstrated work experience in strong communication, facilitation, and presentation skills, along with proven analytical capabilities to interpret data and support decision-making
• Proven influencing skills including the ability to build trust and strong relationships

Applicant Information

The expected salary for this position is $130,000 – $190,000. Compensation varies depending on a wide array of factors including but not limited to the specific location, certifications, education, and level of experience. The disclosed range estimate may be adjusted for any applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. This position is eligible for a discretionary incentive award. The incentive award amount depends upon company performance and your personal performance.

At Cargill we put people first. As part of your overall rewards, we offer a comprehensive benefit program including medical and/or other benefits dependent on the position offered and hours worked. Visit: https://www.cargill.com/page/my-health/mh-health-and-wellness to learn more (subject to certain collective bargaining agreements for Union positions).