New Product Development Coordinator

KFC • Irvine, CA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The New Product Development Coordinator supports the FIT Team (Food & Beverage) in the development, testing, and rollout of new and improved menu items across our 400+ restaurant locations. This role reports to the Culinary Innovation Manager and plays a key part in ensuring product quality, consistency, and operational success.

Requirements

• Culinary background (Bachelors degree in culinary or food science, certifications, or equivalent kitchen experience required).
• Current Food Handler’s Card required.
• Requires the ability to stand for extended periods during kitchen tests, tastings, and in-restaurant visits.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to accurately measure, record, and report data.
• Comfortable working in both kitchen and corporate environments.
• Strong communication skills and willingness to collaborate across multiple departments.
• Passion for food, innovation, and delivering exceptional guest experiences.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) with the ability to create organized documents, data sheets, and presentations.

Responsibilities

• Independently conduct organoleptic evaluations (taste, texture, aroma, appearance) to ensure product quality and alignment with brand standards.
• Perform shelf life, yield, and portion studies to validate product specifications and operational success.
• Create, refine, and support development of training materials for new menu items, recipes, and procedures that will be used by the entire field team.
• Organize and support live cooking demonstrations for cross-functional teams, providing hands-on culinary expertise and operational insights.
• Support vendor relationships by coordinating ingredient sourcing, sampling, and specification alignment.
• Responsible for maintaining a clean, safe, and organized test kitchen environment in compliance with food safety standards.
• Travel locally and occasionally out-of-state for ingredient sourcing, supplier facility visits, in-restaurant validations, training events, and cross-functional culinary activations.

Benefits

• Hybrid work schedule (onsite expectation Tues, Wed, Thurs) and year-round flex day Friday
• Onsite childcare through Bright Horizons
• Onsite dining center and employee lounge
• 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
• Comprehensive medical & dental including prescription drug benefits and 100% preventive care
• Discounts, free food, swag and… honestly, too many good benefits to name

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level