Menu & Food Innovation Marketing Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY:

The Menu & Food Innovation Marketing Manager leads the end-to-end development and strategic execution of new menu items and culinary platforms for Pizza Hut Canada. This role combines consumer-centric innovation with operational and brand alignment to deliver compelling, differentiated food offerings that drive business results. The manager works closely with research agency teams and cross-functional stakeholders to identify opportunity areas, commercialize products, and ensure flawless go-to-market execution tailored to the Canadian guest.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Includes but is not limited to:


• Identify whitespace opportunities, and unmet consumer needs to shape the national menu portfolio and food innovation pipeline.


• Monitor competitor landscape and menus to inform strategy and pipeline. 


• Set the strategy by defining menu role, proposition and objectives. Ignite ideation, concept development, and business case creation for new menu platforms and products.


• Translate menu and innovation strategies into relevant, executable marketing solutions for the Canadian market, across various business objectives, both top and bottom line.


• Develop and deliver an annual innovation plan that supports brand growth and meets key business objectives.


• Provide menu & innovation strategy to R&D Manager to support their role in developing feasible products, building technical platforms, ensuring restaurant viability, and product readiness for execution.


• Collaborate with the Marketing Calendar Lead to align food innovation with broader campaign strategy and timing.


• Facilitate cross-functional workstreams with Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, QA, Tech, and Franchise Partners to ensure alignment and execution readiness.


• Present menu & food innovation strategies and product concepts to senior leadership and franchise advisory boards for feedback and approval.


• Represent the Canadian market in regional menu & food innovation forums and influence the roadmap based on local insights.


• Conduct market tests, analyze consumer feedback and performance data, and iterate based on findings.


• Monitor post-launch performance and support optimization initiatives based on operational, guest, and financial metrics.


• Partner with the Marketing Growth lead, R&D Manager and Supply Chain to identify and execute cost-saving product initiatives.


• Develop and manage a continuous pipeline of market tests, validating business objectives are met, before transitioning to market growth or calendar teams


• Support R&D Manager as direct report, providing leadership, coaching and development.  


• Manage key vendor partner partnerships to ensure marketing, menu and innovation support is optimized

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business or related field.


• 7-10 years of experience in menu strategy and food innovation or product marketing (QSR or CPG preferred).


• Previous people-management experience with direct accountability for coaching, performance management and development of direct reports.


• Proven experience bringing concepts from idea to successful in-market activation within a cross-functional environment.


• Leadership skills with ability to lead a divergent group of operators, franchisees and senior management through influence and persuasion. 


• Experience working with suppliers, commercial teams, and operations in a fast-paced business.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Strong understanding of QSR operations, product development processes, and retail marketing.


• Experience taking consumer insights and turning them into menu and innovation platforms that drive both brand relevance and business growth.


• Excellent communication and influence skills across cross-functional teams and leadership levels.


• Exceptional project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities on tight timelines.


• Balance of creative thinker while being consumer led, strategically grounded and commercially driven.


• Skilled in Microsoft Suite, including Excel and PowerPoint; PLM or spec management systems an asset.

The posted salary range is the expected salary range for this position. Ultimately, in determining pay, we'll consider the successful candidate’s location, experience, and other job-related factors.