Innovation Manager (Food)

RSC; Woking; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading quick-service restaurant in Woking is seeking an Innovation Manager to lead menu innovation projects. The role involves strategic thinking, collaboration with various stakeholders, and overseeing the product life-cycle from concept to launch. Ideal candidates should have a strong track record in food innovation, excellent communication skills, and a passion for food and trends. This position offers a hybrid working model along with comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

Hybrid working from Woking RSC

Up to 11% company pension contributions

25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays

Bonus scheme linked to company & personal performance

Private healthcare

25% off the chicken

Qualifications

• Strong track record of innovation in food; open to cross-industry experience.
• Experience tackling complex growth challenges with a customer/brand lens.
• Foodie at heart, curious about trends, loves chicken.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic thinking and ideation across projects to evolve the menu.
• Oversee product life-cycle from concept to launch, ensuring strategic foundations remain sound.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across Retail & Advertising, Operations and Supply Chain.

Skills

Creative thinking

Strategic thinking

Strong communication skills

Data-driven insights

Job description

Welcome to KFC

KFC is the world’s best chicken, serving 1000+ communities across the UK and Ireland since 1939. Our Restaurant Support Centre (RSC) offers a collaborative environment where you can grow and make a difference.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As Innovation Manager, you’ll lead strategic and creative direction for key innovation projects, evolving the Finger Lickin’ Good menu. You’ll report to the Innovation Lead and drive product innovation platforms for the UK&I business within our award-winning Marketing team.

WHAT YOU WILL SPEND YOUR TIME DOING

• Lead strategic thinking and ideation across projects to evolve the menu short, medium and long‑term.
• Guard brand food philosophy and define principles guiding product development.
• Dream up new product ideas independently and collaboratively.
• Shape how KFC grows into new categories to increase share.
• Validate and test the product innovation pipeline to meet customer tastes and expectations.
• Think holistically about each concept—taste, texture, packaging, price, occasion.
• Balance high‑level strategic thinking with a creative hands‑on approach.
• Create compelling presentations and documents to bring the food vision alive.
• Oversee product life‑cycle from concept to launch, ensuring strategic foundations remain sound.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across Retail & Advertising, Operations and Supply Chain.

WHAT WE'D LOVE FROM YOU

• Someone who lives, breathes, dreams (and eats!) food.
• Fascinated by building successful food brands.
• Intellectually curious and creative.
• Aspiring to grow a career in food brand management.
• Solutions‑driven: inquisitive, tenacious, determined.

EXPERIENCE

• Strong track record of innovation in food; open to cross‑industry experience.
• Experience tackling complex growth challenges with a customer/brand lens.
• Data‑savvy, insight‑rich, with cross‑functional relationship building.
• Outstanding strategic thinking and superb communication skills.
• Foodie at heart, curious about trends, loves chicken.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU

We offer benefits that make life easier.

• Hybrid working from our Woking RSC.
• Up to 11% company pension contributions.
• Fri‑Yay finishes at 1 pm.
• 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays.
• 5 Live Well Days a year.
• 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.
• 25% off the chicken.

THE ROAD TO BECOMING A REAL ONE

• Apply – send CV and answer short questions.
• Intro call with Talent Team.
• Virtual call with Hiring Manager and team.
• F2F interview at HQ in Woking.

KFC FOR EVERYONE

We welcome all applicants regardless of age, background, ethnicity, gender, ability, religion or sexual orientation. We encourage applications from under‑represented groups and will support applicants with disabilities or other requirements.

Important Notice

Beware of fake job postings using Yum! or KFC brands. Official jobs appear only on our careers page, and we never ask for money during onboarding.