Sr. Manager, Design Innovation

KFC • Plano, TX

9d

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Global Innovation & Asset Strategy supports the evolution of Pizza Hut’s global restaurant formats by partnering closely with Global Design Leadership to advance next-generation asset strategies, format innovation, and operational modernization. This role plays a critical part in shaping future-ready Pizza Hut environments that enable all-channel growth, improve unit economics, and enhance both guest and team member experiences across diverse worldwide markets. The position operates at the intersection of Design, Development, Operations, and Technology—helping translate brand vision and growth strategy into scalable, testable, and globally adaptable solutions. Why This Role Matters: Pizza Hut continues to evolve its global asset portfolio to meet changing consumer behaviors, accelerate digital and delivery growth, and strengthen unit economics across markets. This role helps ensure that our restaurant environments are modern, scalable, and operationally excellent—while remaining true to the Pizza Hut brand DNA.

Requirements

• 12+ years of experience in restaurant innovation, asset development, operations, design strategy, or related field.
• Experience supporting multi-unit or international format development initiatives.
• Exposure to digital and technology-enabled solutions within retail or restaurant environments.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Design, Architecture, Operations, or related discipline.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with franchise business models and global brand systems preferred.
• MBA or advanced degree is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Global Asset Strategy & Format Evolution Partner with Global Design Leadership to advance next-generation Pizza Hut asset formats, including Fast Casual Delco, Modern Dine In, Express, and emerging hybrid models.
• Contribute to the long-term global asset strategy, balancing brand expression, capital efficiency, and operational performance.
• Own the evolution of flexible, modular design standards that accommodate diverse market needs.
• Drive strategic evolution of footprint optimization, all channel assets, on and off-premise acceleration, and digital-first format opportunities.
• Global Test-and-Learn Initiatives Manage pilots and structured test programs across international markets in partnership with franchisees and regional teams.
• Develop performance measurement frameworks to assess operational impact, guest experience, and ROI.
• Capture learnings and support readiness for global scaling and playbook development.
• Ensure innovation initiatives align with global brand standards while allowing regional flexibility.
• Technology Integration Within Physical Assets Partner with Global Digital and IT teams to integrate emerging technologies into restaurant environments (e.g., digital ordering, drive-thru enhancements, kitchen display systems, automation opportunities).
• Support initiatives that enhance omnichannel experiences across carryout, delivery, and sit and stay occasions.
• Evaluate infrastructure requirements to future-proof assets for evolving technology platforms.
• Operational & Workflow Innovation Collaborate with Global Operations and regional teams to improve kitchen workflow, speed of service, and labor efficiency.
• Identify cost-to-build and cost-to-operate improvement opportunities across markets.
• Cross-Functional & Franchise Partnership Develop business cases and executive-ready materials to support innovation recommendations.
• Manage external vendors, consultants, and prototype partners as needed.
• Foster alignment across a highly matrixed, global organization.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees