Director, Category Management & Innovation

Pizza Hut is seeking a dynamic and experienced Director of Category Management & Innovation to join our Brand Strategy & Planning team. This role is responsible for developing and executing the long-term category strategy and will play a pivotal role in enhancing the brand's product offerings, market position and brand growth. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in category management, product marketing and innovation within the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) or Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industries.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive category strategy that drives revenue growth and enhances customer engagement including product assortment, pricing and promotions.
• Identify key business opportunities and develop a 3-year pipeline across innovation and value categories designed to deliver predictable, profitable growth for the Pizza Hut brand and its franchisee system.
• Analyze market trends, consumer insights, and competitive landscape to identify growth opportunities and inform decision-making.
• Effectively influence cross-functional teams and senior leadership by presenting compelling and data-driven recommendations to support category growth initiatives.
• Manage and mentor a team of Category Managers to ideate, conceptualize, develop and validate commercially viable marketing programs.
• Partner with counterparts in Consumer Insights, Calendar Planning, Culinary Innovation and Operations to translate business needs and insights into strategic category plans.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Marketing, Operations, Product Development, Technology, Business Analysis and Data & Analytics to ensure alignment and execution of category plans.
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of category initiatives, making data-driven recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across the Pizza Hut US and Global organizations.

Required Qualifications:

• You will be required to attend the Plano, TX office 3 days a week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in category management, product marketing, or a related field within the QSR or FMCG industries.
• Proven track record of developing and executing successful category management strategies.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and make informed decisions.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software applications.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with franchisees and managing supplier relationships.
• Knowledge of the latest marketing trends and technologies.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.

Salary Range: $160,400 - $188,000 annually + bonus eligibility and stock-based compensation. This is the expected salary range for this position. Ultimately, in determining pay, we'll consider the successful candidate's location, experience, and other job-related factors.