Senior Manager, Food Innovation Technology

The Senior Food Innovation Technology Manager is the heart of our business and can balance the art and science of innovation, development, and food safety. They have passion for food and innovation with the technical chops to make it a reality. This role works with Innovation, Operations, Restaurant Excellence and Supply Chain to lead and support strategic initiatives, to develop and commercialize product innovation across our world-famous fried chicken (meeting brand standards), new product development & limited time offers while leading our Food Safety & Quality Assurance team.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Food Innovation & Technology team to develop and execute short- to mid-term functional strategies and operational plans, establishing priorities and resources to deliver Annual Operating Plan requirements and develop future talent pipeline 
• Lead the development of menu items and innovation strategies that will build the brand over time and deliver on sales, transactions and profitability through validation and commercialization of new and enhanced ingredients, products and packaging 
• Leads product excellence team to deliver product & quality improvements, with a key focus on poultry expertise. 
• Partner with the Marketing Innovation team to build and validate the innovation pipeline through our 4D product development model 
• Develop specifications for all new and enhanced ingredients, products and packaging and partnering with Supply Chain to validate core ingredient contingency plans 
• Commercialize products by conducting plant trials, first productions and alternative processing methods and options
• Actively seek and investigate continuous improvement opportunities and alternative processing methods and options
• Partner with the cross-functional team to deliver on marketing and growth strategy and deliver on retail calendar, market test and menu vision plans while serving as a senior Food Innovation & Technology advisor to leadership on product, quality, food safety and commercialization decisions.
• Manage and lead the test kitchen, including the day-to-day test kitchen maintenance and product showings and tastings 
• Partner with Marketing Insights and Innovation to conduct and analyze consumer and sensory research 
• Manage QA lead to ensure product compliance with CFIA regulations 
• Conduct and report competitive product and ingredient research and findings 
• Cement KFC Canada’s leadership as a loved and trusted brand by leading a future back strategy to unlock ‘good’ commitments on Food & Planet, developing innovation solutions that live up to Finger Lickin’ Good Food & Planet

Qualifications

Education/Certifications

Required:

• Post-secondary Food Science degree or related (Food Innovation and/or Development) program.

Preferred:

• Culinary background preferred

Experience

• 7+ years experience within food related industry 
• Demonstrated experience and success in new product development, Quality Assurance and product roll-outs 
• Strong verbal and written communication and presentation skills 
• Ability to prioritize and successfully manage multiple projects simultaneously with ambitious timelines 
• Passion for all types of food required 
• Packaging experience preferred 
• Familiarity with the Canadian Packaging & Labeling Act, Canadian Weights & Measurements, Food & Drug Act, CFIA Meat Inspection Act, general CFIA & Health Canada guidelines 
• Training in HACCP, SPC, GMPs, Auditing, Microbiology 
• Experience partnering on sensory and consumer research 

We’d prefer this role to have…

• Familiarity with restaurant operations preferred

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 $150,000 to $195,000 CAD, inclusive of base salary and target annual performance bonus. 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.