Research & Development Chef

KFC • Plano, TX

71d

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited 4-year university, preferably in Food Science or related field.
• 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.
• 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 actionable recommendations.
• Exceptional project management capabilities, including driving great outcomes in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees