Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence

Associate Manager, Food Innovation, Commercialization

Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Hybrid

Location: Irvine • California • United States

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Salary

💰 $109,400 - $120,000 per year

About the role

  • Assist in the development and commercialization of innovative food products and ingredients for international markets, ensuring alignment with brand, consumer, operational, and financial goals.
  • Collaborate with regional Business Units (LAC, EU, APAC) and cross-functional teams (Operations, Brand Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance) to support the execution of global food innovation strategies.
  • Contribute to the management of new market entries, market resets, and ingredient commercialization, ensuring projects meet quality standards and regulatory requirements.
  • Partner with supplier networks, chefs, and external vendors to support the development and refinement of product concepts through actionable feedback.
  • Monitor project timelines, track deliverables, and escalate potential challenges to ensure successful on-time delivery of initiatives.
  • Coordinate and assist in focus groups, development sessions, product evaluations, competitive analysis, and regional innovation workshops to gather insights and refine ideas.
  • Prepare and deliver updates, project summaries, and recommendations to stakeholders in a clear and concise manner.
  • Research and monitor global and regional food trends to inspire and inform product development efforts.

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in food science, chemistry, nutrition, culinary, or related field
  • 5+ years of experience in quick service restaurants, consumer packaged goods, and/or food manufacturing
  • Experience leading product innovation from concept through commercialization, including cross-functional coordination (operations, supply chain, marketing)
  • Experience with food ingredient manufacturing (e.g., meats, grains, sauces/seasonings, dairy, produce)
  • Experience working in a test kitchen, pilot plant, and/or manufacturing environment
  • Familiarity with packaging, back-of-house equipment, nutrition, or sustainability considerations is a plus
  • Experience managing supplier or external partner relationships
  • Ability to analyze data and identify trends to inform business decisions
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects
  • Willingness to travel internationally (~20%)
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office
Benefits
  • Hybrid work schedule (onsite expectation Tues, Wed, Thurs) and year-round flex day Friday
  • Onsite childcare through Bright Horizons
  • Onsite dining center and game room (yes, there is a Taco Bell inside the building)
  • Onsite dry cleaning, laundry services, and carwash
  • Onsite gym with fitness classes and personal trainer sessions
  • Up to 4 weeks of vacation per year plus holidays and time off for volunteering
  • Generous parental leave for all new parents and adoption assistance program
  • 401(k) with a 6% matching contribution from Yum! Brands with immediate vesting
  • Comprehensive medical & dental including prescription drug benefits and 100% preventive care
  • Discounts, free food, swag and… honestly, too many good benefits to name
Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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

Hard Skills & Tools
food sciencechemistrynutritionculinaryproduct innovationfood ingredient manufacturingdata analysisproject managementmarket analysiscompetitive analysis
Soft Skills
collaborationcommunicationproblem-solvingorganizational skillsleadershiptime managementadaptabilitycreativitystakeholder engagementfeedback incorporation