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 :

Experience :

What’s In It for You :