Senior Program Manager - Food Innovation

What You’ll Be Serving Up:

Senior Program Manager will lead and coordinate the strategic and operation activities of KFC's global food innovation and brand governance functions. This role is key to ensuring brand consistency, driving strategic initiatives, and fostering strong supplier partnerships worldwide. You will play a central role in shaping KFC’s global innovation ecosystem, maintaining alignment through effective governance and communication.

Here’s How You’ll Spice Things Up:

Strategic Program Management

• Drive high-priority, cross-functional global initiatives from planning through execution.
• Design, manage, and continuously improve the global innovation process, including governance frameworks and tools.
• Develop detailed program plans, milestones, stakeholder engagement maps, and reporting systems.
• Monitor progress, identify challenges, and remove barriers to ensure timely delivery.
• Provide strategic clarity and innovative solutions in complex or ambiguous situations.
• Make informed decisions autonomously to maintain momentum on priority initiatives.

Global Food Innovation & Technology (FIT) Community Engagement

• Serve as the primary connector for the global FIT community, encouraging collaboration and sharing best practices.
• Organize global summits, working groups, and community sessions to enhance alignment.
• Develop tools, newsletters, and dashboards to increase visibility and transparency.
• Mentor emerging leaders and advise senior stakeholders on strategic matters.

Supplier Relationship & Stakeholder Management

• Manage strategic engagement with key innovation and ingredient suppliers worldwide.
• Maintain effective business relationships, ensuring accountability for timelines, innovation inputs, and issue resolution.
• Collaborate with Procurement and cross-functional teams to align the innovation pipeline with supplier capabilities.
• Act as the global liaison for internal executives and external partners, building trust and influencing shared goals.

Brand Standards Governance & Council Leadership

• Manage the operations and planning of the Global Brand Standards Council.
• Facilitate timely reviews and alignment on brand direction, product strategy, and system standards.
• Prepare meeting agendas, summarize outcomes, and track action items across markets.
• Serve as a SME in global food innovation and governance, providing guidance beyond immediate responsibilities.

What You Bring to the Table:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Culinary Arts, Business Administration, Innovation Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related field.
• Advanced degrees or certifications (e.g., PMP, Lean Six Sigma) are advantageous but not required.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years in program management, innovation strategy, or governance within QSR, foodservice, or CPG industries.
• Direct experience in the QSR food industry with a proven expertise of operational and franchise models.
• Proven success managing complex, cross-functional global initiatives.
• Experience leading governance forums, supplier partnerships, and global innovation programs.

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent organizational and leadership abilities.
• Excellent communication and influence skills across cultures and organizational levels.
• Collaborative mindset with cultural awareness and facilitation expertise.
• Proficient in project/program management software and enterprise reporting tools.
• Expertise of global brand standards and food innovation culture.

Additional Information

• This role requires global travel to support strategic planning, summits, supplier visits, and program reviews.