Food Innovation Manager

• Lead the product strategy and supporting strategic objectives and annual operating plans of Taco Bell brand through food innovation initiatives
• Ensure all core ingredients are meeting brand standard specifications
• Lead the development and implementation of Taco Bell food vision
• Work on establishing robust calendars with relevant innovation and a proven pipeline of products
• Ensure local suppliers are capable of manufacturing and commercializing key global ingredients in the markets with brand standard quality and performance
• Lead consumer nutrition concerns and company commitments related to sustainability, including packaging
• Foster strong franchisee relationships and influencing skills
• Develop cross-functional relationships with Marketing, Operations, Training and Supply Chain Management
• Build culture and strengthen franchise teams and supplier capability through summits, workshops, industry meetings, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Drive positive change and make TB relevant and help establish a new brand in the hearts and minds of consumers

• Bachelor's degree in food science, chemistry, nutrition, culinary or related education is required
• Master's degree preferred
• Strong culinary skills are required, with 10+ years’ experience with quick service restaurant, consumer packaged goods, and/or food manufacturers categories
• Experience in Manufacturing Food Ingredients in any/all of the following categories: Meats, Breads, Sauces & Seasoning, Dairy, Produce
• Experience in test kitchen, and/or pilot plant and/or manufacturing environment
• Experience in packaging, back-of-house equipment, consumer nutrition, and/or food sustainability is a plus
• Excellent commercial skills - able to disseminate information, identify themes, patterns and trends and conceive systems, tools and processes which drive revenues
• Ability to impact and influence stakeholders - have productive conflict at a high level to drive desired outcomes. Confidence and presence to interact with franchisees
• Ability to strategize and set vision, excellent analytical & problem resolution skills
• Effective organizational skills and time management skills
• balance multiple priorities successfully
• Emotional Intelligence - high levels of self-awareness, the ability to flex communication style to target audience and emotional resilience
• Ability to travel up to 30%

Experience in packaging, back-of-house equipment, consumer nutrition, and/or food sustainability is a plus