Innovation Manager

KFC UK & Ireland; Woking; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fast-food company in Woking is searching for an Innovation Manager to drive the creative direction of menu innovations. The role involves strategic planning, product development, and collaboration across teams. The ideal candidate loves food, is innovative, and possesses strong communication skills. Flexible working arrangements are offered.

Benefits

Hybrid working

Up to 11% company pension contributions

25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays

Private healthcare

Bonus scheme

Qualifications

• Strong track record of innovation in the food industry or related fields.
• Ability to think about complex business growth challenges.
• Outstanding strategic thinking and superb communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic thinking and ideation for KFC UKI menu.
• Define principles that guide food product development.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across the business.

Skills

Innovation

Strategic thinking

Creativity

Communication

Customer insight

Job description

Welcome to KFC. Home of the real ones.

We sell the world’s best chicken. Seriously. And we’ve done it since 1939, when the idea of crispy, original recipe chicken took Kentucky by storm. Now, we’re proud to serve 1000+ communities across the UK and Ireland, bringing the grit, pride and iconic reputation that we started with, all those years ago.

Across the Restaurant Support Centre (RSC), we come to work to be ourselves, and to make something of ourselves. We want to see our potential go that little bit further, as part of one of the world’s most iconic brands.

What’s the gig? Well, you support our restaurants — and we’ll support you every step of the way. Simple. Our doors are open — and they can take you anywhere.

All we ask is that you be you. Because that makes us, us. Sound good? Great. Let’s find out about that job.

THE TEAM

Our Marketing team is a 50-strong crew of bold thinkers, culture shapers and creative doers - from Brand and Digital to Strategy, Food Quality and Innovation. We’re here to keep KFC at the heart of culture across the UK & Ireland, blending our iconic roots with fresh, fearless ideas that connect with real people. We don’t just make ads - we build love, drive growth, and stay one step ahead of what’s next.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As our Innovation Manager, you’ll be holding the reigns of the creative and strategic direction of some key innovation projects to evolve our Finger Lickin’ Good menu. You’ll join the Innovation Team who are integral to shaping the future growth of KFC – including dreaming up new products and ideas (think Double Down and Dirty Louisiana), helping to transform categories and occasions and designing the customer food experience.

You’ll report into the Innovation Lead and will be responsible for key Product Innovation platforms for the UK&I business (no pressure!). This is a great opportunity that has opened up within the thriving and award winning Marketing team.

At KFC, we believe innovation is a team sport — and this role is at the heart of that belief. The Innovation Manager will champion and be a part of a culture that is open and collaborative: inspired by our customers, driven by creativity, and delivered with pride.

WHAT YOU WILL SPEND YOUR TIME DOING:

• You’ll play a big part in leading the strategic thinking and ideation across specific projects to evolve the KFC UKI menu over the short, medium and long-term.
• You will be part of the team who are guardians of our brand’s food philosophy. Following in the Colonel’s footsteps as architect of our menu vision, defining the principles and plans that will guide food product development.
• You’ll dream up some amazing new product ideas and concepts, both independently and via collaboration with the wider team.
• We are growth focused and you’ll be responsible for helping shape how KFC grows into new categories to grow our share.
• You’ll get to grips with what gets our customers’ tastebuds tingling - validating and testing the product innovation pipeline for your key platforms to ensure it meets their tastes, preferences, and expectations.
• You’ll also need to think holistically about each product concept — considering everything from taste and texture to packaging, price, and the occasion it’s made for. There’s plenty to sink your teeth into.
• You will balance high-level strategic thinking with a creative hands-on approach.
• You will often be called on to develop presentations and documents that bring our food vision and product pipeline to life in dynamic and compelling ways.
• You’ll oversee the creations from start to finish… as products move from concepts to being designed by the NPD team and ultimately launched, you will work closely with your colleagues to ensure strategic foundations remain sound and the launch is a success.
• You will work collaboratively with stakeholders from across the business, including Retail & Advertising, Operations, and Supply Chain.

ABOUT YOU

• Someone who lives, breathes, dreams (and eats!) food. A mild inclination towards poultry might help.
• Someone who is fascinated and excited about building successful food brands.
• You are intellectually curious and creative.
• You’re ambitious and want to grow your career in food brand management. You don’t want it to stop just there though - we’ve got a culture of building great international leaders.
• A huge part of Yum! is our internal culture and it’s something that we genuinely pride ourselves on. Key to this is being able to recognise and celebrate the successes of the company and our peers, as well as constantly striving to work together for better results.
• We’re looking for someone solutions driven, meaning you’ll be inquisitive, tenacious and determined… always looking for new ways to deliver ground-breaking work.

EXPERIENCE

• We’re looking for a strong track record of innovation, ideally in food but if you’re the right candidate we are open minded to a mix of experience, although innovation is a must! Experiences that complement our business well are often from retail, QSR, casual dining or food on the go.
• You’ll have experience thinking about complex business growth challenges through a customer and brand lens. You’ll be data savvy and insight rich.
• It’s a team sport, so you’ll build strong relationships cross functionally – so you’ll need a total team player mentality and a drive to getting things done.
• You must be able to demonstrate outstanding strategic thinking and superb communication skills.
• A foodie deep down, natural curiosity of trends and last but not least loves chicken!

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU:

We offer benefits that make your life that little bit easier, because we know the juggle is real.

From flexible, hybrid working to Fri-Yay early finishes and Live Well Days, we’ve created a package that supports the real you, in and out of work.

You’ll get:

• Hybrid working from our Woking RSC (just 24 mins from London) Our Marketing team spends Tuesdays and Wednesdays face to face.
• Up to 11% company pension contributions
• Fri-Yam finishes at 1pm every Friday
• 25 days’ holiday (plus bank hols) a
• 5 Live Well Days a year, just for you
• Bonus scheme linked to company & personal performance
• Private healthcare, Digital GP access & mental health coaching
• Enhanced parental leave and flexible return options
• Study support, income protection, life cover & more
• And yes - 25 off the chicken

THE ROAD TO BECOMING A REAL ONE...

1. Apply (Go on... do it) – send us your CV and answer a couple of app questions.
2. Intro call with our Talent Team
3. Virtual call with Hiring Manager + additional member of the team
4. F2F interview at our HQ, Home of The Real Ones in Woking

KFC FOR EVERYONE:

Whoever you are and wherever you’re from, KFC is a place where you can bring the real you to work.

Our promise is this: every person who applies to a role at KFC, regardless of age, background, ethnicity, gender, ability, religion or sexual orientation, will have an equal opportunity to work here. We don’t just welcome, we encourage applications from underrepresented groups from all industries.

If you’d like any additional support with your application, have a disability or condition that may affect your performance during the recruitment process, or have any other requirements — just let us know. We’ll be there to help you be the real you.

Ready?

We hope so, if you’re ready to be part of our community, now’s the time to apply.

Worried you aren’t ticking all the boxes? Don’t - we’d still love to hear from you.