Food Innovation Manager - #1093050

Position: Food Innovation Manager

Job Overview:

The Food Innovation Manager is a key player in the planning and execution of KFC menu strategy in Singapore. He/She will oversee the entire menu development process to build a portfolio of relevant and craveable finger licking good products to delight our guests.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Conduct ongoing F&B trend and competitive analysis to identify new trends for product innovation.

• Develop a product pipeline (permanent and LTO) that supports the brand menu vision, with focus on taste and quality.

• Partner suppliers to bring new product insights and flavors to meet consumer’s changing taste palette.

· Organize ideation sessions (online and offline) and supplier innovation days to have a continuous fill to the product pipeline.

• Conduct Menu mix analysis to identify low performing menu items. Refine and improve existing menu items when needed.

• Collaborate with SCM/QA to drive the product commercialization and ensure on time, on target launch.

• Work closely with operation/training team on to set up SOP, new products training. Product Testing & Quality Control guardrails.

• Conduct product shelf-life test, quality test, equipment test, yield test and product cutting to ensure product checks are completed prior to launch.

• Conduct and support sensory evaluation, consumer survey of new products to internal & external team.

• Responsible to upkeep the product recipes documentation including its cost structure, ingredient documentations and halal status clearance.

• Conduct ongoing audit of new &/or existing products for continuous improvement.

• Key liaison with regional innovation team to support the latest updates on brand standards and franchisor’s requirements.

• Build relationship with suppliers/vendors to facilitate a smooth development process and increase opportunity for good costs management.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience working in QSR, food service culinary or food ingredient suppliers with a proven record of delivering successful innovations.

• Previous experience in either QSR, FMCG, Retail or in Supplier is required.

• Experience in kitchen/ back of house operations, culinary skill, technical processing of food ingredients, packaging and HACCP are preferred.

• Bachelor’s degree in culinary arts, nutrition, and/or food science, food technology.

• Technical mastery in culinary taste/flavors to deliver tasty and craveable food products.

• Creative approach to cooking and possesses a problem-solving- innovation mindset.

• Team player with a collaborative and ‘can do' mindset.

• Self-motivated, resilient and works well under pressure/ in a fast-paced environment.

• A multi-tasker with ability to manage different project workstreams at same time; without compromising on quality of work.

• Proactive with a resourceful mindset that is focused on achieving the best outcomes.