Associate Manager, Food Innovation Technology – FIT

Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence

Associate Manager in Food Innovation Technology leading product development initiatives for the LA&C region. Overseeing commercialization, project management, and innovation processes within a fast-paced environment.

Posted 7/8/2026full-timeFlorida • Florida • 🇺🇸 United StatesJuniorMid-Level💰 $99,200 - $146,360 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead commercialization for innovation windows at regional calendar – develop product guides, add ingredients information, lead calls with markets for rollout, support training and OPS with training materials
Lead test kitchen management – support buying and receiving ingredients, cleaning material and managing test kitchen cook. Manage along with Marcela all services that must be done in the kitchen
Responsible for Caribbean innovation process – supporting markets to finalize their calendars and technical projects (core products/ win on taste)
Lead cross functionally Pipeline meeting – tracking all regional innovation and supporting RSCS and Calendar to run smoothly and lead approval of all local innovation requests
Support on developing new concepts for testing (gathering ideas from global, suppliers or food trends/ social, developing concepts description and testing with MDI)
Innovation Hub – add all LA&C products in the system and get global ideas to be tested
Lead consolidating all nutritional information data from markets to send global
Support CPT tests we will do in markets – sending and tracking ingredients and preparing material for testing
Proactively align with Quality Assurance and Supply Chain to use approved suppliers and develop key ingredients as needed.
Demonstrate ability to analyze technical data, anticipate project next step and make recommendations.
Partner with KFC Global to cascade Beverage platform for the region.
Project Manage local innovations, validating samples from local innovation products, sharing feedback if necessary to franchisees or suppliers
Co-lead annual Planning Meeting product showing execution for Franchisees

Requirements

What you’ll need

B.S. or higher in Food Science or related subject. Master degree preferred.
Minimum five (5) years’ experience in food related industry.
Ability to communicate effectively, work with a wide range of people, and influence teams. Strong leadership and coaching skills.
Demonstrated experience and success in product development/roll-outs.
Ability to prioritize and successfully manage multiple projects simultaneously within aggressive timetables.
Fluent in English and Spanish preferred.

Benefits

Comp & perks

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Hard Skills & Tools

Food ScienceInnovation Process ManagementTest Kitchen ManagementNutritional Data ConsolidationConcept DevelopmentMarket Rollout SupportIngredient SourcingTechnical Project SupportCPT TestingProduct Guide Development

Soft Skills

Effective CommunicationInfluencing TeamsLeadership SkillsCoaching SkillsAbility to Prioritize

Certifications

B.S. in Food ScienceMaster's Degree Preferred