You will play a critical role in fueling KFC US’ pipeline of finger lickin’ good innovations by helping develop new menu items that deliver crave-worthy, guest-delighting experiences. Your mission is to support and lead portions of the innovation process—from early concept development to testing and validation—by contributing technical expertise, coordinating cross-functional input, and advancing new products toward commercialization. You will help ensure that every new menu item meets KFC’s high standards for taste, quality, operational ease, and brand relevance.
- Lead portions of the new product development process, including concept development, benchtop prototyping, ingredient exploration, and formulation refinement.
- Conduct product evaluations, sensory testing, and in-restaurant validations to assess consumer acceptance, operational feasibility, and product performance.
- Partner with suppliers to support the development of new ingredients and components, review technical data, and help refine specifications required for scale-up and commercialization.
- Analyze consumer insights, operational data, and cost implications to guide product decisions and recommend improvements that enhance appeal, feasibility, and value.
- Collaborate cross-functionally (Marketing, Operations, QA, Supply Chain/RSCS) and deliver clear reports, technical documents, and presentations that communicate progress, findings, and recommendations.
- Monitor food, flavor, and QSR innovation trends to identify whitespace opportunities and inspire forward-thinking product concepts.
- Represent the FIT team in innovation and commercialization meetings by providing product development expertise, sharing updates, identifying risks, and contributing solutions.
- Own and independently manage defined NPD projects from concept through testing phases, ensuring timely progress, alignment to brand strategy, and readiness for scale-up.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited 4-year university, preferably in Food Science or related field.
Experience:
- 4+ years of relevant work experience required with Bachelor’s.
- Experience in New Product Development position in the food industry.
Skills:
- Excellent oral and written communication skills to engage and align cross-functional stakeholders; ability to present effectively.
- Strong analytical skills to interpret data and form action-able recommendations.
- Proven project management capabilities, including driving great outcomes in a fast-paced environment.
Mindset:
- Passion for creating craveable, high-quality food experiences.
- Curious, resourceful, and energized by innovation and experimentation.
- Comfortable navigating ambiguity and iterating quickly to move ideas forward.
- Collaborative team player who inspires others and contributes positively to team culture.
- Resilient and persistent in driving development work through technical and operational challenges.
Salary Range: $105,030 to $110,865 annually + bonus eligibility. This 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.
