Menu Innovation Lead — Food & Packaging (14-month)

KFC South Pacific (Yum! Brands Subsidiary); Sydney; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

KFC Australia is seeking an Innovation Development Manager to lead new product and packaging initiatives from concept to restaurant launch for a 14-month contract. You will drive portfolio development, collaborate with suppliers and cross-functional teams, and translate bold ideas into market-ready products and packaging.

You will bring experience in food product development, solid project-management skills and the ability to communicate complex topics to diverse stakeholders.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead new product development and packaging 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 testing.
• Create recommendations and updates for governance forums.
• Partner with suppliers to deliver products meeting brand, nutrition and commercial needs.
• Improve packaging to enhance customer experience and sustainability.
• Work with Operations to improve procedures and back-of-house execution.
• Evaluate equipment changes and their impact on product quality and operations.
• Lead hands-on trials in the innovation kitchen and show restaurant readiness.
• Manage multiple projects with shifting priorities and tight deadlines.
• Stay curious about trends, competition and industry developments.

Skills

Product development

Packaging innovation

Quality programs

Project management

Stakeholder communication

Supplier collaboration

Food science

Food technology

Multi-site operations

Food safety

Education

Food Science degree

Food Technology degree

Tools

PowerPoint

Excel

Specification systems

Nutrition systems

Job description

KFC Australia is seeking an Innovation Development Manager to lead new product and packaging initiatives from concept to restaurant launch for a 14-month contract. You will drive portfolio development, collaborate with suppliers and cross-functional teams, and translate bold ideas into market-ready products and packaging.

You will bring experience in food product development, solid project-management skills and the ability to communicate complex topics to diverse stakeholders.