About the role
Lead end-to-end food product innovation and menu development for the Philippine market. This role will shape new products and menu enhancements by combining consumer insights, food science, commercial thinking, and cross-functional leadership to deliver quality, profitable, and operationally viable innovations.
Key responsibilities
- Lead the development of new products, menu items, and product enhancements aligned with brand strategy, consumer needs, and emerging food trends.
- Identify market opportunities through market research, competitive benchmarking, trend analysis, and consumer testing.
- Translate consumer insights into actionable product innovation strategies and commercially relevant concepts.
- Manage the complete product development lifecycle from concept creation and prototyping through testing, validation, and commercial launch.
- Lead product trials, sensory evaluations, and validation activities to confirm quality, operational feasibility, and consumer acceptance.
- Collaborate with Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, Quality Assurance, and other local and international stakeholders to deliver successful product rollouts.
- Adapt global innovations and menu platforms to suit Philippine consumer preferences, operational requirements, and market conditions.
- Develop product preparation standards, specifications, and operational guidelines to support consistent execution.
- Partner with suppliers to source, evaluate, and develop ingredients and product solutions that meet quality, consistency, cost, and compliance requirements.
- Drive cost optimisation, continuous improvement, and product lifecycle initiatives without compromising product quality or food safety.
- Ensure products comply with applicable food safety regulations, quality standards, and company requirements throughout the product lifecycle.
- Monitor post-launch product performance and recommend improvements based on customer feedback and business results.
- Manage multiple research and development projects, budgets, and resources while ensuring timely delivery against business objectives.
- Prepare and present innovation pipelines, project updates, and recommendations to senior management.
- Foster a culture of creativity, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement across product development initiatives.
What we're looking for
- Bachelor's degree in Food Technology, Food Science, Culinary Arts, Nutrition, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
- Seven to ten years of relevant experience in research and development, product development, or food innovation.
- Experience in QSR, restaurant chains, food manufacturing, bakery, beverage, or related food service industries is strongly preferred.
- A proven track record of developing and launching new food products and menu innovations.
- Strong knowledge of food science, ingredient functionality, product development processes, and food safety standards.
- Experience conducting consumer testing, product evaluations, sensory assessments, and market validation activities.
- Excellent project management, analytical, problem-solving, communication, and presentation skills.
- Experience working with leading QSR, restaurant, or international food brands is an advantage.
- Familiarity with stage-gate product development processes and innovation frameworks.
- Experience with global product adaptation, cost engineering, reformulation, and product lifecycle management.
- Strong understanding of Philippine consumer food preferences and market trends.
- A creative, commercially minded, results-oriented approach and a genuine passion for food innovation.