Director, Insights, Innovation & R&D (18-month contract)

The Director, Insights, Innovation, & R&D leads the consumer insight, menu innovation, product development, and food quality agenda for KFC Canada. This role turns consumer and business insight into a growth-driving innovation pipeline, modernizes KFC's core products, and leads the FIT (Food Innovation & Technology aka Product Development) team from concept through commercialization. The Director partners closely with Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain and franchisees to ensure products are distinctive, consumer-led, operationally executable and delivered to KFC quality and food safety standards. If you are a leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, can navigate ambiguity with action, has ambition to deliver impact and a spirit of what is possible – KFC is an environment that will empower and support your success.

Responsibilities

• Own the integrated consumer insights, menu strategy and innovation agenda, translating consumer, category and cultural insight into clear growth opportunities and the short-, medium- and long-term pipeline and business.
• Lead the FIT team and end-to-end product development process, from culinary/product brief and prototyping through consumer validation, restaurant testing, commercialization and launch.
• Modernize and continuously improve KFC Canada's core food portfolio, protecting what consumers love while improving taste, quality, consistency, value and relevance.
• Build and deliver a differentiated innovation pipeline that supports the Marketing growth calendar, creates newsworthy reasons to choose KFC and strengthens the brand across priority occasions and consumer groups.
• Act as guardian of KFC Canada's food philosophy and architect of the menu vision, defining the principles, product standards and strategic choices that guide product development and renovation.
• Lead consumer insights across internal resources and agency partners, ensuring customer understanding is embedded in brand strategy, calendar development, innovation, value and broader business planning.
• Set clear innovation learning agendas and stage gates; use consumer, operational and commercial evidence to make fast decisions on what to advance, optimize or stop.
• Partner with Brand, Retail Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance and franchisees to ensure innovation is commercially compelling, operationally executable, scalable and supported by strong launch plans.
• Own R&D prioritization, resources and ways of working, ensuring the team balances core product improvement, calendar innovation, longer-term pipeline development and rapid test-and-learn opportunities.
• Provide leadership oversight of Quality Assurance within the team remit, ensuring robust product and supplier standards, food safety and quality systems, issue escalation, and continuous improvement in partnership with Operations and Supply Chain.
• Deliver credible thought leadership and compelling recommendations to KFC Canada LT, franchisees and cross-functional stakeholders, aligning the system behind bold but evidence-based growth choices.
• Build a high-performing, connected Insights, Innovation, R&D and QA capability with clear accountability, strong talent development and effective collaboration across the broader business.

Qualifications

Education/Certifications

• Required: Post-secondary degree in business, marketing, or related discipline
• Preferred: MBA

Experience

• 10+ years of progressive experience across consumer insights, innovation, product development/R&D, brand, food science or related commercial functions
• Demonstrated experience leading teams and an end-to-end food innovation pipeline from insight and concept through product development, testing, commercialization and launch
• Style that inspires and unites cross-functional teams, bringing clarity in strategy and empowering whilst holding accountable with a spirit of taking people with you. 
• Compelling communications capability, translating complex ideas simply to bring clarity and alignment across a diverse set of stakeholders.
• Strong track record of translating consumer insight into commercial growth strategies and high-impact innovation.
• Strong understanding of operations, supply chain and commercialization requirements; able to balance consumer desirability, operational feasibility and commercial viability.
• Proven ability to modernize core products while building a forward-looking innovation pipeline.
• Ability to influence senior leaders, franchisees, and complex matrixed stakeholders through ambiguity and transformation.
• Ability to effectively develop and lead high-performing technical and commercial talent.
• Ability to balance enterprise-level strategic thinking with curiosity, creativity, pace, and hands-on problem solving.
• A passion for food, consumers, and emerging trends

We’d prefer this role to have…

• Prior experience in QSR, food manufacturing/FMCG, or food retail

What makes KFC a great place to work?

Our People. We invest in people capability above all else, with a proven track record of developing internal talent to leadership levels across the business both in Canada and globally. We hire and develop people who lead with Smart, Heart and Courage to make a big impact on the business today and grow into leaders of the future.

Our Culture. We are known for a culture that rewards and recognizes bold results and promises everyone a seat at our table. We focus on your personal development as much as your professional development to ensure you can bring your best self to work.

Why you’ll love working here

• Hybrid work model (2–3 days per week in office)
• Paid vacation and personal days, plus 10 paid KFC Canada holidays in addition to statutory holidays.
• Comprehensive health and dental benefits, including HSA and PSA options that allow you to personalize your coverage, plus life insurance and disability coverage, with employer-paid premiums
• Family-inclusive Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and virtual care
• Paid parental leave with salary top-up
• RRSP and DPSP retirement programs with employer matching
• Annual tuition reimbursement program
• Employee referral rewards
• And so much more!

Note: remuneration, benefits, and other perks may vary by role, employment status, eligibility, and other relevant factors.

Additional Information

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

We thank all applicants for their interest in joining KFC Canada; however, only those selected for further screening will be contacted. Applicants are assessed based on skills and experience relevant to the role. Canadian experience is not required.

KFC Canada is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where everyone feels they belong. In accordance with applicable laws, we are committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment and selection process to meet the needs of applicants. If you require accommodation at any stage of the hiring process, please let us know.

The expected hiring range for this role is $160,000 to $210,000 CAD, inclusive of base salary. Final compensation will be based on factors such as skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.

KFC Canada uses artificial intelligence (AI)–enabled tools to support certain aspects of the recruitment process, including application screening and assessment, in accordance with applicable legislation. All final hiring decisions are made by human decision-makers.