Senior Innovation Development Manager

• Fun, rewarding, people first culture.
• Signature career development program.
• Flexible / hybrid working environment.

It’s not just what you do at KFC. It’s the way you do it. 

Here, everyone has a seat at our table. We feed our people’s potential to be Original - to be their best selves, make a difference and have fun! 

As our new Senior Innovation Development Manager for KFC South Pacific, reporting to our Food Innovation & Nutrition Director, you will drive and deliver food renovation/innovation, not only including food product, but also pack design for KFC menu items, in line with the Marketing Calendar.

ABOUT YOU – OUR NEXT ORIGINAL 

• You’ll embrace our people first culture!
• Tertiary degree in Food Technology/Science or other related disciplines.
• Food Industry experience with knowledge of product development, processing, packaging innovation and quality programs.
• Experience in Poultry Farming and Manufacturing, QSR exposure would be highly regarded. 
• Deep technical knowledge of ingredients/processing and future technologies.
• Experience coaching a team to achieve business results.
• Creative, yet practical. Ability to develop and evaluate new concepts, new products and improve established system applying technical knowledge and testing standards.
• Ability to interpret and utilise Marketing/industry information and product research to best advantage for KFC.
• Experience generating concise reports outlining action recommendations and full justification.
• Ability to communicate both technical and non-technical information with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal skills and work ethic, with an ability to meet deadlines.
• Sound communication, planning, organising, coaching and controlling skills.
• Experience with multi-national is preferred (US based highly regarded).

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF YOUR NEW ROLE

• Steer the Packaging evolution of KFC Product, with a lens of simplification, functionality, and sustainability, all underpinned by Innovation.
• Drive Equipment specific to validation/verification of both equipment and core products, whilst sharing knowledge for core product improvements.
• Source new ideas and bring these to life via prototyping/testing with consumer and internal panels to identify successful products, in addition to piloting innovation initiatives.
• With Marketing, guide the development of the Early Adopter Consumer Panel to quickly realise concepts into prototypes as required, per the ideation calendar.
• Develop prototypes and present to the New Product Council for recommendation for development.
• Drive annual Innovation Supplier Expo to identify new concepts by leveraging suppliers and their resources, alongside Facilitation of consumer panels and internal ideation programs.

BUCKETS OF BENEFITS 

• A culture where you can be your original self.
• Salary continuance cover for all permanent employees.
• Monthly mobile phone and home internet contributions.
• Flexible work initiatives, including half day Fridays.
• Additional days of leave each year to focus on your Wellbeing.  
• Signature career development and leadership programs.
• Corporate KFC Culture Club initiatives.
• Employee discounts at KFC restaurants.
• Free onsite secure parking at Frenchs Forest.

WHO WE ARE 

Take one man with a big idea, add 11 herbs and spices, grit, ambition and buckets of heart – you’ve got KFC. Since 1952, we’ve been bringing finger lickin’ good chicken to the world. But without our people, The Originals, none of it would be possible. Everyone at KFC is different. Unique. It’s what makes us special. We’ll always be original. And we welcome you join us; to bring it. Your energy, grit, spirit and story.  

JOIN OUR ORIGINAL TEAM!  

There’s all kinds of potential here! Explore new paths and choose where your career takes you. Whatever your journey looks like, we’ll help you get there, because we take your goals seriously. Apply now! 

Here at KFC, we see ourselves as an equal opportunity employer. This means it’s a level playing field for all. Our work environment is fully inclusive and we strive for a workplace where diversity of thought and perspective is welcomed, sought out and developed. No matter who you are or where you’re from, people from all walks of life are encouraged to apply to join the KFC family. This means no matter your gender identity, ethnicity, cultural background, sexual orientation, disability, life stage or other legally protected status – you’ve always got a seat at our table.