Global Beverage & Dessert Innovation Director

McDonald's; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 168,000 - 219,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Adoption assistance

Educational assistance

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

McDonald’s seeking a Director of Innovation for Beverages & Desserts to guide global menu strategy and accelerate cross-market concepts. You will lead a team, partner with suppliers and internal teams, translating vision into consumer-ready products.

The role demands 8–10 years in beverage development, a Food Science or related degree, and a track record turning ideas into restaurant offerings. This senior role offers strong benefits, long-term incentives, and international scope.

Qualifications

• Experience in food product innovation, menu development, or category management.
• Ability to straddle and fluently converse in both the strategic and technical side of menu innovation.
• Deep beverage expertise, with understanding of product forms and consumer preferences.
• Extensive knowledge and relationship with supplier and culinary community.
• Proven record leading innovation pipelines from concept to commercialization.
• Collaboration and influencing skills in a matrixed global environment.
• Strong analytical abilities with portfolio strategy and testing data.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic menu guidance and support to leadership across global initiatives.
• Lead innovation and category management, including portfolio optimization.
• Ensure a robust pipeline of commercially viable concepts.
• Own product and ingredient specification development with cross-functional partners.
• Ensure global compatibility of ingredient application across markets.

Skills

Beverage innovation

Menu development

Category management

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical skills

Education

Degree in Food Science or Culinary

Job description

McDonald’s seeking a Director of Innovation for Beverages & Desserts to guide global menu strategy and accelerate cross-market concepts. You will lead a team, partner with suppliers and internal teams, translating vision into consumer-ready products.

The role demands 8–10 years in beverage development, a Food Science or related degree, and a track record turning ideas into restaurant offerings. This senior role offers strong benefits, long-term incentives, and international scope.