Senior Food Innovation & Technology Leader - Hybrid

YUM; Vaughan; Hybrid; CAD 150,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model (2–3 days in office)

Paid vacation and holidays

Health and dental benefits

RRSP and DPSP

Employee referral rewards

Job summary

KFC Canada is seeking a Senior Food Innovation Technology Manager to lead the Food Innovation & Technology team, develop strategic plans, and commercialize new products while upholding food safety standards. The role partners with Marketing, Operations, and Supply Chain to drive innovation and quality across poultry-based products.

The position requires 7+ years in the food industry, strong communication skills, and expertise in QA, NPD, and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• 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

Responsibilities

• Lead the Food Innovation & Technology team to develop and execute short- to mid-term functional strategies and operational plans.
• Lead the development of menu items and innovation strategies that will build the brand over time and deliver on sales, transactions and profitability.
• Lead 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

Skills

Food industry experience

New product development

Quality Assurance

Product commercialization

Strong communication skills

Project management

Food safety

Packaging experience

Regulatory knowledge (CFIA/Health Can)

HACCP/SPC/GMPs training

Sensory research

Restaurant operations familiarity

Education

Post-secondary Food Science degree or related program

Culinary background (preferred)

Job description

KFC Canada is seeking a Senior Food Innovation Technology Manager to lead the Food Innovation & Technology team, develop strategic plans, and commercialize new products while upholding food safety standards. The role partners with Marketing, Operations, and Supply Chain to drive innovation and quality across poultry-based products.

The position requires 7+ years in the food industry, strong communication skills, and expertise in QA, NPD, and regulatory compliance.