Head of Insights & Innovation

YUM; Amsterdam; Hybrid; EUR 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

KFC Netherlands in Amsterdam is seeking a Head of Insights & Innovation to shape the long-term menu, portfolio strategy, and lifecycle plans. You will lead the Strategy & Innovation team, connecting consumer-led thinking with strong commercial execution in a hybrid work setup from Amsterdam.

Start date is January 2027. This permanent, full-time role requires 5–8 years in a commercial/strategy/innovation context and experience in food-focused FMCG or QSR. English is essential; Dutch preferred.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of experience in commercial, strategy, innovation or portfolio roles.
• Experience in food-focused FMCG, foodservice or QSR is strongly preferred.
• Proven ability defining innovation roadmaps and translating strategic direction into execution.
• Strong commercial and analytical capability to interpret consumer and performance data.
• English is essential; Dutch is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Define and evolve KFC Netherlands' long-term innovation and portfolio strategy.
• Lead the Strategy & Innovation team and govern cross-functional alignment.
• Oversee Food Innovation & Technology from concept to launch, including supplier collaboration.
• Translate insights into actionable business cases and decisions.
• Manage budgets and report performance to senior leadership; drive ROI.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Consumer insights

Cross-functional leadership

Budget management

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Change management

Education

HBO-level education

Job description

It all started with one cook who created a finger lickin' good recipe more than 75 years ago, a list of secret herbs and spices scratched out on the back of the door to his kitchen.

Head of Insights & Innovation

KFC

Hybrid

As Head of Insights & Innovation, you will define and deliver KFC Netherlands’ long-term menu, portfolio

and innovation strategy. Reporting to the Marketing Director, you will lead the Strategy & Innovation team and connect bold, consumer-led thinking with strong commercial execution.

This is primarily a strategic leadership and team-enablement role. You will shape the innovation roadmap,

menu architecture, value strategy and commercial calendar, while maintaining a strong understanding of

operational delivery. Using consumer insight, local market trends and commercial data, you will guide

decisions, challenge constructively and ensure the team can bring relevant food innovation from concept

Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Start Date: January 2027

Contract type: Permanent, full-time

Shape our growth strategy: Define and continuously evolve KFC Netherlands’ long-term innovation and portfolio strategy, annual roadmap, menu architecture and lifecycle plans.

Lead the menu, value and commercial calendar: Set menu priorities, campaign sequencing and promotional architecture, balancing innovation, core menu and value to deliver long- and short-term objectives.

Bring food innovation to life: Lead the Food Innovation & Technology agenda and oversee product development from concept to launch, including supplier collaboration, validation and restaurant testing.

Turn insight into action: Translate consumer behaviour, market developments, competitor activity and emerging food trends into strategic recommendations and compelling business cases.

Drive cross-functional alignment: Chair innovation governance and stage-gate processes, partnering with Brand, Digital, Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, European teams and external partners.

Develop a high-performing team: Lead, coach and develop the Calendar Manager, FIT (Food Innovation & Technology) Lead and Junior FIT Manager, setting clear priorities, objectives and development plans.

Own performance and improvement: Manage innovation and portfolio budgets, evaluate ROI and post-launch effectiveness, report performance to senior leadership and continuously improve how we manage the portfolio.

5–8 years of experience in a commercial, strategy, innovation or portfolio role.

Experience in food-focused FMCG, foodservice or QSR is strongly preferred; relevant retail or another consumer-led environment will also be considered.

Proven experience defining innovation roadmaps, portfolio strategy, menu architecture or commercial calendars, and translating strategic direction into clear execution.

Strong commercial and analytical capability, with the critical thinking to interpret consumer and performance data, see the bigger picture and turn insights into sound business decisions.

Experienced people leadership experience, with a track record of guiding colleagues at different career stages, raising team capability and creating a collaborative, high-performing culture.

Confidence influencing senior leaders, franchise stakeholders and cross-functional partners, while moving comfortably between strategic discussion and operational detail.

A genuine interest in food, consumer behaviour and Dutch market trends, plus the learning agility to get up to speed quickly in a new environment.

HBO-level education or equivalent relevant experience.

English is essential; Dutch is preferred.