Innovation Development Manager - 14 Month Contract

KFC; Sydney; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

KFC Australia is seeking an Innovation Development Manager on a 14-month fixed-term contract to shape the future of our menu. You will lead food and packaging projects from concept through to restaurant launch, joining the Food & Innovation Team (FIT) to keep the brand modern and distinctive.

Reporting to the Senior Innovation Development Manager, you will work with suppliers and cross-functional partners to turn bold ideas into market-leading products and packaging, from kitchen trials to

Qualifications

• Experience in product development within food service, retail or manufacturing.
• Degree in Food Science, Food Technology or a related discipline.
• Strong knowledge of product development, food processing, packaging innovation and quality programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead new product development and continuous improvement across menu items and packaging.
• Build forward innovation pipeline and support the marketing calendar.
• Develop and evaluate concepts using customer insights, technical expertise, research and testing.
• Partner with suppliers to deliver products that meet brand, nutrition and commercial requirements.
• Lead hands-on trials in the innovation kitchen and demonstrate how products will work in restaurants.

Skills

Product development

Education

Degree in Food Science / Food Technology

Tools

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

Innovation Development Manager - 14 Month Contract

• Shape the future of KFC Australia’s menu through bold, craveable innovation
• Lead exciting food and packaging projects from concept to restaurant launch
• 14 Month, Fixed-Term Contract

Are you passionate about creating craveable food experiences that keep customers coming back? KFC Australia is looking for an Innovation Development Manager to help shape the future of our menu on a 14-month contract.

You’ll join our Food & Innovation Team (FIT); a fun, entrepreneurial team that plays a critical role in keeping the KFC brand modern and distinctive.

Join the team behind some of KFC Australia’s most talked-about menu innovations, including the category-first Double Down, the 11-drink KWENCH range and the recent PickleCore menu, and help create what’s next.

Reporting to the Senior Innovation Development Manager, you’ll work closely with suppliers, Food Innovation Technologists and cross-functional partners to turn bold ideas into market-leading products and packaging. From concept development and kitchen trials through to restaurant implementation, you’ll ensure every innovation delivers on taste, quality, commercial objectives and operational performance.

HOW YOU'LL MAKE A DIFFERENCE AS OUR INNOVATION DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

• Lead new product development and continuous improvement across menu items and packaging.
• Build the forward innovation pipeline and support the marketing calendar.
• Develop and evaluate concepts using customer insights, technical expertise, research and structured testing.
• Create clear recommendations and project updates for governance forums.
• Partner with suppliers to deliver products that meet brand, nutrition and commercial requirements.
• Improve packaging to enhance customer experience, sustainability, functionality and restaurant simplicity.
• Work with Operations to improve procedures, product consistency and back-of-house execution.
• Evaluate equipment changes and their impact on product quality and restaurant operations.
• Lead hands-on trials in the innovation kitchen and demonstrate how products will work in restaurants.
• Manage multiple projects, shifting priorities and tight deadlines while maintaining clear ownership and momentum.
• Stay curious about emerging food trends, competitor activity and industry developments.

ABOUT YOU

You live and breathe food. You’re curious, hands-on and solutions-focused, and you get excited about taking a great idea and turning it into a product customers love.

You'll ideally bring:

• Experience in product development within food service, retail or manufacturing.
• A degree in Food Science, Food Technology or a related discipline.
• Strong knowledge of product development, food processing, packaging innovation and quality programs.
• Proven project-management experience spanning product optimisation, research and launches.
• The ability to communicate technical, production and operational topics to diverse stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal, planning, organisation and time-management skills.
• Commercial awareness combined with practical food and technical expertise.
• Confidence collaborating with suppliers and internal teams.
• Experience using Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel, plus specification and nutrition systems.
• Experience in poultry, food manufacturing, multi-site food service, restaurant operations or equipment development would be highly regarded.

WHY KFC?

This is your opportunity to join a positive, action-oriented team and influence what’s next for KFC Australia. You’ll combine creativity with technical expertise, work on innovations that reach restaurants across the network and help create food customers will love.

Ready to help shape the future of KFC’s menu?