Innovation Chef

What You’ll Be Serving Up:

This position designs, plans, and manages R&D projects of varying complexity resulting in new or improved products & processes.  Works directly with CI, Marketing, cross-functional teams, and suppliers to support the KFC US Innovation pipeline.

Here’s How You’ll Spice Things Up:

• Leads the identification of appropriate vendors and the preparation of technical brief at onset of project.
• Leads the development, evaluation, and revision process for product prototypes. 
• Design, coordinate and execute consumer/sensory tests and in-market research tests research using common sensory and consumer research protocols, including proper documentation, managing food and packaging inventory, review and execute with support of team to ensure smooth delivery/execution, interpretation of results and communication of next steps both internally and externally.
• Develops operational procedures and specifications for new products which yield a food safe and consistent quality product. This includes identifying new smallwares (if needed), identifying appropriate in-store packaging, development and validation of cooking/holding procedures and testing of ingredients for all approved equipment.
• Conducts yield analysis and depletion work and communicate results to cross-functional team.
• Supports KFC/YUM nutritional goals by developing products which meet defined nutritional goals through theoretical and final lab analysis to validate consumer nutritional profiles of new/improved products.
• Completes the required documentation and records for all testing and development conducted in the labs.
• Secure formulas/specifications, develop packaging labels, and identify appropriate shelf life while partnering with commercialization.
• Plan, execute & support: Chef’s Council, Food Immersions, Supplier Summits, PR/Media launch events, Ops/ Market Tests.
• Plan, execute & support product demos; NCAC, Innovation Day, Innovation WIP, LT WIP
• Leads assigned AVA projects (Alternate Vendor Approval)
• Travel as needed to support product development, consumer testing, etc.
• Supports rapid innovation testing with key franchisees to accelerate the innovation process and reduce time between concept and commercialization

What You Bring to the Table:

Education/Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred

Experience: 

• 5+ years of experience in R&D/technical experience. 
• Successfully leads projects with minimal coaching.
• Strong product development mindset.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interface directly with higher levels of management.
• Self-motivated with a strong drive for results and intellectual curiosity.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Must be able to meet deadlines and work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Highly proficient in Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
• Ability to perform repetitious work.
• Strong analytical skills.   

What’s In It for You:

• Gain hands-on experience in franchise strategy and financial management by working directly on business growth, ownership transitions, and profitability initiatives.
• Develop expertise in portfolio management and operational efficiency through collaboration with franchisees, brokers, and financial institutions.
• Enhance leadership visibility and strategic decision-making skills by providing key reporting and insights to KFC US leadership.
• Build a career in a dynamic, high-impact role with opportunities for growth in finance, franchise development, and strategic operations.

KFC Corporation, based in Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the few brands in America that can boast about having a rich, 60-year history of success and innovation. In fact, KFC is the world's most popular chicken restaurant chain and a division of Yum! Brands, the world’s largest restaurant company.
 
Yum! Brands, Inc., based in Louisville, Kentucky, has over 45,000 restaurants in more than 135 countries and territories and is one of the Aon Hewitt Top Companies for Leaders in North America. In 2018, Yum! Brands was recognized as part of the inaugural Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index. The company’s restaurant brands – KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell – are global leaders of the chicken, pizza and Mexican-style food categories. 
 
More important than our size is our commitment to breakthrough innovation and the success of our employees. We're proud of the unique culture we've built, one where everyone can be their best self, make a difference and have fun! We believe in our people, trust in their positive intentions, encourage ideas from everyone, and have actively developed a workforce that is diverse in style and background.