Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence

Senior Program Manager – Food Innovation

Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Hybrid

Location: Plano • Texas • 🇺🇸 United States

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Salary

💰 $142,000 - $160,000 per year

Job Level

Senior

About the role

  • Lead and orchestrate the strategic and operational rhythm of KFC’s global food innovation and brand governance functions
  • Ensure excellence in brand alignment, strategic initiative execution, and supplier engagement across the global system
  • Design, manage, and continuously evolve the global innovation process, including stage gate governance and tools
  • Drive the execution of global innovation and transformation initiatives
  • Develop detailed program plans, milestones, stakeholder maps, and reporting structures
  • Track progress and remove barriers to ensure high-impact project delivery across diverse global teams
  • Serve as the primary connector of the global FIT community, driving collaboration and best-practice sharing
  • Organize global summits, working groups, and community sessions to strengthen alignment
  • Create tools, newsletters, and dashboards to enable visibility, recognition, and transparency
  • Lead strategic supplier engagement for global innovation partnerships
  • Maintain key business relationships and supplier accountability for timelines, innovation inputs, and escalations
  • Partner with Procurement and cross-functional teams to align innovation pipeline with supplier capabilities
  • Lead the operations, planning, and execution of the Global Brand Standards Council
  • Ensure timely review and alignment on brand direction, product strategy, and system standards
  • Build meeting agendas, synthesize outcomes, and ensure follow-up actions are completed across markets
  • Travel is required globally to support strategic planning, summits, supplier visits, and program reviews.

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree required in one of the following disciplines: (Food Science, Culinary Arts, Business Administration, Innovation Management, Engineering, Supply Chain)
  • Minimum of 10 years of experience in program management, innovation strategy, or governance roles within the QSR, foodservice, or CPG industries
  • Must have direct experience within the QSR food industry with a strong understanding of operational realities and franchise models
  • Proven track record managing high-complexity, cross-functional initiatives involving global stakeholders
  • Demonstrated success in leading governance forums, strategic supplier partnerships, and global innovation programs
Benefits
  • Competitive salary and benefits package
  • Opportunity to innovate within a global brand and make a significant impact
  • Collaborative, fast-paced work environment with a focus on professional growth and development

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard skills
program managementinnovation strategygovernanceproject deliverystakeholder managementsupplier engagementbrand alignmentstrategic initiative executionglobal innovation processcross-functional initiatives
Soft skills
leadershipcollaborationcommunicationorganizational skillsstrategic thinkingproblem-solvingrelationship managementagenda buildingsynthesis of outcomesfollow-up actions