Mgr. Food Commercialization

What You’ll Be Serving Up:

You will oversee the end-to-end commercialization of new products and lead core product improvement initiatives that enhance KFC US’ menu and operational efficiency. Your mission will be to ensure the successful execution of innovative food solutions that delight customers and elevate brand quality and safety.

Here’s How You’ll Spice Things Up:

Driving strategic product improvements, innovation, and safety

• Increase KFC US’ efficiency in execution of products and processes by:
  • Executing seamless commercialization efforts for new products in collaboration with the Product Development and Quality Assurance teams to improve core poultry products.
  • Supporting continuous improvement of core products.
• Help KFC US serve safe, consistent, and great-tasting products by:
  • Developing and refining operational procedures and specifications for all products.
  • Researching, validating, and establishing ideal equipment set points, cooking requirements, and hold times across all approved holding equipment.
• Support successful execution of market tests, national promotions, and modifications of core items by managing plant start-up for new product initiatives.
• Ensure product safety compliance by contributing to RMI initiatives that meet KFC US’ RSCS and KFCC targets.
• Proactively drive progress on commercialization and core product improvement initiatives by sharing updates, aligning on deliverables, and communicating barriers/solutions.

Leading and inspiring your team

• Inspire and cultivate a high-performing team by communicating clear results-oriented expectations, mentoring and equipping your team with resources to meet objectives and grow their careers at KFC US.

What You Bring to the Table:

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited 4-year university, preferably in Food Science, Poultry, Meat Science, or related field.
• Experience:
  • Prior experience in R&D, marinade and breading formulation, vacuum tumble/injection technology, and portioning equipment with knowledge of USDA labeling requirement and GS1 bar coding preferred.
• Skills:
  • Proven ability to lead and inspire direct reports to achieve company objectives.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills to engage and align cross-functional stakeholders; ability to present effectively to senior leaders.
  • 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.

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.