Food Innovation and Technology Manager

At KFC Asia, we believe in the power of innovation to transform the QSR industry. As a Food Innovation and Technology (FIT) Manager, you will play a crucial role in driving successful Food Innovation processes and output within our Franchise system. Your expertise will guide and support Franchisee R&D teams in developing Marketing and Innovation pipelines, ensuring we stay at the forefront of food technology and delivery.

Your scope will focus on the North Asia region which includes Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong & Mongolia.

This position will be based in Singapore and would require you to travel to supported markets as relevant.

Reporting to the Senior Marketing Manager, North Asia, this person will work closely with a great support network:

• Franchisee R&D Teams

• Franchisee Marketing Teams

• Suppliers for product, packaging & technology

• Cross-functional teams within the Restaurant Corporate Centre (RSC) – QA, Operations, Supply Chain, Commercial, Development, Legal

• Global FIT Team

• Tertiary degree or M.Sc in Food Technology/Science is essential; B.Sc in Food Engineering will be considered.
• Minimum 10 years of Food Industry experience with knowledge of product development, life cycles, processing, and ingredient science & functionality.
• Experience with QSR restaurant systems is a must; Food Service experience with multi-unit operation and restaurant design, layout, and equipment is preferred.
• Experience with multinational companies is preferred, with a proven track record of successful product launches across multiple platforms, especially in Asia.
• Strong team player with efficient cross-functional, cross-geography, and cross-culture collaboration skills.
• Ability to develop, evaluate, and improve concepts, products, and systems using known and new technology trends.
• Skill in interpreting and utilizing Consumer, Marketing, and Competitive insights to drive product development.
• Ability to drive projects to timely conclusions, providing comprehensive reports and sound recommendations.
• Excellent communication, planning, organizing, and presentation skills.
• Strong work ethic, interpersonal skills, and the ability to influence and lead from behind.

• Lead the implementation of consumer insight-driven Food Innovation Programs for North Asia business unit.
• Collaborate with the KFC Franchisee and Yum! cross-functional teams to lead the Food Innovation Program, ensuring alignment with the menu vision and Marketing Calendar.
• Provide technical support to KFC Supply Chain Management, Operations, and Marketing for New Product Development (NPD) and non-NPD projects.
• Build and share your expertise by networking with KFC non-equity markets and facilitating best practice sharing with country NPD peers.
• Leverage global networks to bring global best practices to KFC Asia, improving our innovation success rate.
• Champion and execute KFC Brand Standards for all core products and menu items, ensuring consistent quality.
• Develop a thorough understanding of KFC in-store operations, capabilities, and limitations.
• Manage the monthly Supplier Innovation review program, selecting relevant ideas for market review and testing.
• Collaborate closely with the AFBU QA team to ensure all NPD complies with Food Safety standards.
• Actively promote the innovation process, assisting countries in setting up and managing relevant KPI-based tracking systems.