Yum!
Job Description
What You'll Be Serving Up:
This position coordinates new product development, commercialization, core product improvement, and restaurant margin improvement projects for KFC's poultry items. Works on cross-functional teams with Product Development, Quality Assurance, RSCS, and poultry/ingredient suppliers to support the marketing calendar and ensure supply of high-quality poultry products.
Here's How You'll Spice Things Up: Executes innovation and commercialization efforts for new poultry products and/or improvement of core items in close partnership with Product Development and Quality Assurance teams. Develops statistically sound, process-capable specifications for new and core products with the goal of creating safe, consistent, great tasting products. Develops operational procedures and specifications for new products which yield a safe and consistent quality product. Researches and establishes equipment set points, cook and hold times. Evaluates and validates consumer acceptance of products throughout the cooking and hold times, across all approved holding equipment Participates in team meetings to produce project updates and discuss deliverables, barriers, and solutions. Acts as liaison between team(s) and Manager. Coordinates and manages plant start-ups for production of new products in support of market tests and national promotions and modifications to core items. Travel required up to 25% on average. What You Bring to the Table:
Education/Certifications:
Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Poultry or Meat Science or equivalent experience preferred Experience:
At least 5 years of experience in R&D/ Commercialization in the poultry/meat industry. Strong communication and problem-solving skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams in a matrixed environment. Considerable knowledge related to marinade and breading formulation, vacuum tumble & injection technology, commercial breading applications, and portioning equipment and strategies is necessary. Experience in bench-top development/formulation and commercialization of poultry products. Must have statistical know-how necessary to analyze and interpret large data sets and make scientifically grounded decisions Basic understanding of USDA labeling requirements and GS1 bar coding. Must be comfortable in a processing plant environment and able to communicate effectively with plant personnel. Fluent in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Some people management experiences are a plus. Strong interpersonal skills and strong personal initiative. Must be able to present material a in composed and confident manner. Accountable to build poultry know-how of peers and leadership. Must be able to apply data-driven hard facts with business acumen and judgment. Ability to plan and prioritize multiple projects while delivering breakthrough results. Must be able to quickly anticipate and identify potential challenges and proactively recommend course of action to resolve. Must be resourceful to find new resources of information and innovations. What's In It for You:
Gain hands-on experience in franchise strategy and financial management by working directly on business growth, ownership transitions, and profitability initiatives. Develop expertise in portfolio management and operational efficiency through collaboration with franchisees, brokers, and financial institutions. Enhance leadership visibility and strategic decision-making skills by providing key reporting and insights to KFC US leadership. Build a career in a dynamic, high-impact role with opportunities for growth in finance, franchise development, and strategic operations.
About Us
KFC Corporation, based in Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the few brands in America that can boast about having a rich, 60-year history of success and innovation. In fact, KFC is the world's most popular chicken restaurant chain and a division of Yum! Brands, the world's largest restaurant company.
Yum! Brands, Inc., based in Louisville, Kentucky, has over 45,000 restaurants in more than 135 countries and territories and is one of the Aon Hewitt Top Companies for Leaders in North America. In 2018, Yum! Brands was recognized as part of the inaugural Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index. The company's restaurant brands - KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell - are global leaders of the chicken, pizza and Mexican-style food categories.
More important than our size is our commitment to breakthrough innovation and the success of our employees. We're proud of the unique culture we've built, one where everyone can be their best self, make a difference and have fun! We believe in our people, trust in their positive intentions, encourage ideas from everyone, and have actively developed a workforce that is diverse in style and background.
What You'll Be Serving Up:
This position coordinates new product development, commercialization, core product improvement, and restaurant margin improvement projects for KFC's poultry items. Works on cross-functional teams with Product Development, Quality Assurance, RSCS, and poultry/ingredient suppliers to support the marketing calendar and ensure supply of high-quality poultry products.
Here's How You'll Spice Things Up: Executes innovation and commercialization efforts for new poultry products and/or improvement of core items in close partnership with Product Development and Quality Assurance teams. Develops statistically sound, process-capable specifications for new and core products with the goal of creating safe, consistent, great tasting products. Develops operational procedures and specifications for new products which yield a safe and consistent quality product. Researches and establishes equipment set points, cook and hold times. Evaluates and validates consumer acceptance of products throughout the cooking and hold times, across all approved holding equipment Participates in team meetings to produce project updates and discuss deliverables, barriers, and solutions. Acts as liaison between team(s) and Manager. Coordinates and manages plant start-ups for production of new products in support of market tests and national promotions and modifications to core items. Travel required up to 25% on average. What You Bring to the Table:
Education/Certifications:
Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Poultry or Meat Science or equivalent experience preferred Experience:
At least 5 years of experience in R&D/ Commercialization in the poultry/meat industry. Strong communication and problem-solving skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams in a matrixed environment. Considerable knowledge related to marinade and breading formulation, vacuum tumble & injection technology, commercial breading applications, and portioning equipment and strategies is necessary. Experience in bench-top development/formulation and commercialization of poultry products. Must have statistical know-how necessary to analyze and interpret large data sets and make scientifically grounded decisions Basic understanding of USDA labeling requirements and GS1 bar coding. Must be comfortable in a processing plant environment and able to communicate effectively with plant personnel. Fluent in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Some people management experiences are a plus. Strong interpersonal skills and strong personal initiative. Must be able to present material a in composed and confident manner. Accountable to build poultry know-how of peers and leadership. Must be able to apply data-driven hard facts with business acumen and judgment. Ability to plan and prioritize multiple projects while delivering breakthrough results. Must be able to quickly anticipate and identify potential challenges and proactively recommend course of action to resolve. Must be resourceful to find new resources of information and innovations. What's In It for You:
Gain hands-on experience in franchise strategy and financial management by working directly on business growth, ownership transitions, and profitability initiatives. Develop expertise in portfolio management and operational efficiency through collaboration with franchisees, brokers, and financial institutions. Enhance leadership visibility and strategic decision-making skills by providing key reporting and insights to KFC US leadership. Build a career in a dynamic, high-impact role with opportunities for growth in finance, franchise development, and strategic operations.
About Us
KFC Corporation, based in Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the few brands in America that can boast about having a rich, 60-year history of success and innovation. In fact, KFC is the world's most popular chicken restaurant chain and a division of Yum! Brands, the world's largest restaurant company.
Yum! Brands, Inc., based in Louisville, Kentucky, has over 45,000 restaurants in more than 135 countries and territories and is one of the Aon Hewitt Top Companies for Leaders in North America. In 2018, Yum! Brands was recognized as part of the inaugural Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index. The company's restaurant brands - KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell - are global leaders of the chicken, pizza and Mexican-style food categories.
More important than our size is our commitment to breakthrough innovation and the success of our employees. We're proud of the unique culture we've built, one where everyone can be their best self, make a difference and have fun! We believe in our people, trust in their positive intentions, encourage ideas from everyone, and have actively developed a workforce that is diverse in style and background.