Food Innovation Manager

Responsibilities

• Lead food innovation and product strategy for Taco Bell in China to drive local consumer relevance and sales.
• Translate consumer insights and trends into an innovative product pipeline from concept to commercialization.
• Co-develop and commercialize new ingredients with strategic suppliers according to brand specifications.
• Ensure all new products meet consumer, finance, and operational requirements, including cost of sales targets.
• Support the development of operational procedures and training materials to ensure successful restaurant execution.
• Drive packaging innovation to support sustainability initiatives and cost efficiencies.
• Foster strong relationships with franchisees and cross-functional teams including Marketing, Operations, and Supply Chain.
• Manage project timelines and participate in global forums to share expertise and build brand capability.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, chemistry, nutrition, culinary, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in Quick Service Restaurants (QSR), Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), or food manufacturing.
• Strong culinary skills and experience in manufacturing food ingredients (e.g., meats, breads, sauces, dairy, or produce).
• Experience working in a test kitchen, pilot plant, or manufacturing environment.
• Ability to travel up to 30%.
• Excellent commercial, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• High emotional intelligence with the ability to influence and interact with franchisees and global stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant scientific or culinary field.
• Experience in packaging innovation, back-of-house equipment, consumer nutrition, or food sustainability.

About the Company

Taco Bell is a global Mexican-inspired quick service brand with over 8,200 restaurants in more than 32 countries. As part of Yum! Brands, we are a company of "Cultural Rebels" who celebrate authenticity, bold self-expression, and innovation. We are dedicated to feeding people's lives with "Más" by using high-quality ingredients and pushing industry boundaries.