Sr. Analyst Food Core Improvement

What You’ll Be Serving Up:

You will supercharge KFC US’ finger lickin’ good menu by contributing to the improvement of our core menu with crave-worthy, innovative products that delight our guests. Your mission will be to develop / tweak our core products menu by spearheading research, testing, and evaluation of new ingredients / products.

Here’s How You’ll Spice Things Up:

• Support the evaluation of core menu items and ingredients through product testing, data analysis, and sensory reviews.
• Assist in supplier collaboration by collecting technical data, tracking compliance with specifications, and coordinating ingredient trials.
• Analyze consumer, operational, and cost data to identify opportunities for improving product quality, consistency, efficiency and costs.
• Partner with cross-functional teams, prepare reports and presentations to communicate findings, recommendations, and trial results to the manager and cross-functional teams.
• Monitor industry trends and competitive activity to provide insights that inform menu and ingredient improvement initiatives. 
• Represent the FIT team in cross-functional meetings by lending expertise on food innovation/commercialization, sharing updates on deliverables, escalating roadblocks, and offering solutions.
• Drive transformative impact for KFC US by owning specific projects.

What You Bring to the Table:

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited 4-year university, preferably in Food Science or related field.
• Experience:
  • 4+ years of relevant work experience required with Bachelor’s.
  • Experience in a Product Development position for a quick service restaurant brand ($500M+ in size),  creating and commercializing successful new product offerings preferred.
• Skills
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills to engage and align cross-functional stakeholders; ability to present effectively.
  • Strong analytical skills to interpret data and form action-able recommendations.
  • Exceptional project management capabilities, including driving great outcomes in a fast-paced environment.
• Mindset:
  • Relentless in the pursuit of excellence and maintaining high standards.
  • Resourceful and adaptive in ambiguous situations with a proven ability to operate “in the grey.”
  • Resilient in the face of obstacles and persistent in driving towards results.
  • Thrive in a collaborative environment and excel at inspiring and developing team members.

What’s In It for You:

• Be part of a major transformation for a historic and iconic brand, driving innovation in menu development and product improvement.
• Gain valuable experience designing, planning, and managing complex research and development projects that shape the future of KFC US’s offerings.
• Build expertise in collaborating with Brand Managers, cross-functional teams, and suppliers to improve the quality of our menu items. 

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.