Associate Project Manager, R&D

Who is Taco Bell?

Taco Bell was born and raised in California and has been around since 1962. We went from selling everyone’s favorite Crunchy Tacos on the West Coast to a global brand with 8,200+ restaurants, 350 franchise organizations, that serve 42+ million fans each week around the globe. We’re not only the largest Mexican-inspired quick service brand (QSR) in the world, we’re also part of the biggest restaurant group in the world: Yum! Brands. 

Much of our fan love and authentic connection with our communities are rooted in being rebels with a cause. From ensuring we use high quality, sustainable ingredients to elevating restaurant technology in ways that hasn’t been done before… we will continue to be inclusive, bold, challenge the status quo and push industry boundaries.   

We’re a company that celebrates and advocates for different, has bold self-expression, strives for a better future, and brings the fun while we’re at it. We fuel our culture with real people who bring unique experiences. We inspire and enable our teams and the world to Live Más.

At Taco Bell, we’re Cultural Rebels. Want to join in on the passion-fueled fun? Learn more about the career below. 

About the Job:

The PD Associate Manager is responsible for creating and developing new food products & ingredients for the US business. In addition, this person will hunt for new ideas to fulfill the product pipeline. This individual will influence and collaborate with partners inside and outside the business, including Operations, Brand Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, Supplier Partners, and Chefs to ensure all new programs meet the consumer, operations, and financial goals.  This role also will include owning Ingredient Testing for all new ingredients developed by the PD team.

The Day-to-Day:

• Inspire, create, and develop trend-setting food products all the way from prototype to being fully commercialized. Ensure they meet our consumer, operations, and financial needs
• Participate in Product Development team working sessions, sharing, collaborating and building on ideas and prototypes
• Collaborate with brand marketing, and consumer insights peers to bring new to the world big innovation
• Lead the cross functional FIT project team by partnering with engineering, packaging, PD Commercialization, QA & Food Safety to effectively commercialize new products. Ensure quality and safety standards, and are thoroughly tested to confirm
• Create & oversee project timelines and problem solve when required to ensure programs hit deadlines
• Ingredient Testing: coordinate & execute all new ingredient testing/studies, starting with test planning, executing the test itself and summarizing all results
  • Own Ingredient Testing archive as well as keeping all current and new Standard Operating Procedures for various tests up to date
• Proactively identify the needs, design, execution and support of showings, development sessions, product evaluations, competitive analysis, and special events
• Manage multiple suppliers and vendors, providing clear direction, feedback, and next steps
• Deliver presentations with a high degree of competence in a clear concise manner both written and verbally in front of large audiences

Is This You?

• BA/BS or higher required; Science degree preferred in either Food science, Culinary, Chemistry or related education is required
• 3+ years work experience in food product development for restaurant and/or manufacturer
• Team player who has strong ability to communicate clearly and effectively, as well as work efficiently and adapt to styles of a wide range of peers and partners
• Must be a creative innovator with a strong knowledge and passion for food
• Solutions-orientated developer who can manage a fast-paced environment, handle multiple projects simultaneously and pivot as needed to meet deadlines
• Ability to inspire, engage, develop with a cross functional team
• Proficient in all Microsoft Office applications

Work-Hard, Play-Hard:

• Hybrid work schedule and year-round flex day Friday
• Onsite childcare through Bright Horizons 
• Onsite dining center and game room (yes, there is a Taco Bell inside the building) 
• Onsite dry cleaning, laundry services, carwash, 
• Onsite gym with fitness classes and personal trainer sessions 
• Up to 4 weeks of vacation per year plus holidays and time off for volunteering 
• Generous parental leave for all new parents and adoption assistance program 
• 401(k) with a 6% matching contribution from Yum! Brands with immediate vesting 
• Comp