Menu R&D

As part of the Menu Innovation team, this position is a category lead of product development process, and responsible to transfer business and consumer opportunities into menu pipeline, supplier startups, ideation sessions, explorations, product cutting, consumer research, market test and evaluation.

This position will be responsible for Beef & Festival category, develop new food menu.

This position will play an important role in driving Menu growth and business performance via broad involvement in Suppliers’ R&D, Supply Chain, QA, Marketing, Operations, and internal cross functional departments.

Responsibilities：

Innovation and Improvement

Maintain knowledge of industry trends and customer needs

Work closely with Insight teams and processes to identify the right options within the product categories

Collaborate with supplier R&D teams, internal cross functional departments to provide targeted products and options for strategic menu needs

Challenge existing operational platforms (including ingredients, cooking platforms, operation procedures and equipments) as needed to improve processes and meet strategic menu needs

Development

Follow the Menu development process, be responsible for identifying and developing specific menu items that meet the strategic screens - ensure the technical development of safe, consistent food products that fulfill concept requirements, are operationally feasible and meet food cost targets

Ensure menu projects & priorities are aligned and clearly communicated with cross functional departments (Ops, SC, QA, CI, Equipment, Marketing)

Plan and organize Product Cutting

Support and follow-up with suppliers for new and/or improved products and concepts

Leverage best practices within Global and other AOW

Assist SC and QA’s management with the commercialization (e.g., product integrity, increased capacity) of new products/concepts

Business Results

Assist Senior with defining and fulfilling the “Menu Strategy” and “Food Innovation and Development”

Ideate “Product Category Concepts” that can build long term baseline business growth and product equity, and address consumer need states and issues

Develop “Business Cases” for new product / project initiatives, get alignment among cross functional team and get approval from Top Managements

Deliver products that meet the 4 screens: consumer relevance, brand fit, financial impact, and operations & supply/execution scalability

Ensure priorities are aligned and resourced across different functions

Requirements：

Have extensive experience (~4+ years’ experience) in China or Asia from either the fields of: food/culinary, marketing/brand management experience or product development.

Have passion in food industry and have a strong curiosity about new things

Knowledgeable about how to incorporate western food background with local relevant taste

Knowledgeable about culinary trends, recipe formulations and food technology is a plus

Have the skill set to strategically fulfill the gap between business plan and menu strategy

Have the skill set to build the system of the menu works

Know how to balance the creative and practical skills to lead innovation and also execution

Promote team work, able to lead the cross functional team with an outgoing collaborative style

Problem solver, well-organized, curious and interested in learning

Have the reporting discipline, and good quantitative and analytical skills

Excellent communication skills and present skills are required