At Taco Bell, we aren’t just looking for candidates. We are looking for dynamic, disruptive, visionary problem-solvers that have a passion for innovation and the ability to lead cross-functional teams of associates across multiple disciplines. The scope of this position focuses primarily on the Asia Pacific region covering several markets stretching from India to New Zealand. As the APAC Product Development Manager, you will be responsible for leading the product strategy and supporting strategic objectives and annual operating plans of TB Asia Pacific through innovation initiatives as well as ensuring all core ingredients are meeting brand standard specifications. The role includes leading the development and implementation of the TB APAC food vision, working on establishing robust calendars with relevant innovation and a proven pipeline of products in a highly competitive fast paced environment. Ensuring local suppliers are capable of manufacturing and commercializing the key global ingredients in the markets with brand standard quality and performance. This role requires subject matter expertise on Taco Bell Global Standards, and ensure those standards are consistently met or exceeded across our franchise estate in Asia Pacific. The person will also lead consumer nutrition concerns and company commitments related to sustainability, including packaging. A key aspect of this position is fostering strong franchisee relationships and influencing skills as well as the ability to develop cross-functional relationships with Marketing, Operations, Training and Supply Chain Management. This person will build culture and strengthen franchise teams and supplier capability through summits, workshops, industry meetings, and continuous improvement initiatives. They will drive positive change and relentlessly look for opportunities to make TB relevant and help establish a new brand in the hearts and minds of consumers across all markets.
The Day to Day :
Product Development & Commercialization
• Partner with Marketing Team to translate insights and trends into an innovative product pipeline to establish robust marketing calendars from concept to rollout in support of strategic initiatives. Ensure every new product meets consumer, finance and ops wins, following the markets acceptance norms, cost of sales targets and operational execution requirements.
• Effectively work with Marketing and Operations to gain consumer feedback and make appropriate ingredient and product modifications.
• Lead productivity, ingredient and menu improvements via effective management and commercialization with suppliers, providing clear direction, feedback, and next steps.
• Drive innovation and continuously improve packaging designs to enable sustainability initiatives, cost savings, and efficiencies for the company.
• Lead optimization and approval process of core equipment design along with Operations and SCM to drive productivity and efficiency
• Develop procedures to ensure field readiness incorporating operations input. Support training in the development of training materials.
• Work closely with Operations team in the implementation of new restaurant technologies to support food quality and design.
R&D Leadership
• Form strong relationships with franchise leadership teams while being able to influence and persuade with the courage, self confidence, and integrity to drive the best plan for Taco Bell.
• Create & oversee project timelines and problem solve when required to ensure programs hit deadlines
• Help build a distinctive, new brand in a market with highly successful, sophisticated competitors with far larger resources by being disruptive and innovative in order to break through.
• Ability to handle several stakeholders both locally and globally with diverse ideas, experience and agendas.
• Participate in Global forums/work groups and collaborate with other markets to share know-how and help build new capability.
Is This You?
• Bachelor’s degree in food science, chemistry, nutrition, culinary or related education is required; Master’s degree preferred
• 7-10+ years’ experience with quick service restaurant, consumer packaged goods, and/or food manufacturers categories
• Demonstrated track record of bringing business-driven growth programs to life at scale. Strategic thinker who are experience in innovation process and can take a consumer insight from concept to product execution, incorporating operational, supply chain, marketing and commercialization considerations into that process
• Experience in Manufacturing Food Ingredients in any/all of the following categories: Meats, Breads, Sauces & Seasoning, Dairy, Produce
• Experience in test kitchen, and/or pilot plant and/or manufacturing environment.
• Understanding or experience in packaging, back-of-house equipment, consumer nutrition, and/or sustainability to support food menu strategy is a plus
• Direct experience in high level key supplier/partner relationships to unlock innovation, growth and speed.
• Excellent commercial skills - able to disseminate information, identify themes, patterns and trends and conceive systems, tools and processes which drive revenues.
• Ability to impact & influence stakeholders - have productive conflict at a high level to drive desired outcomes. Confidence and presence to interact with franchisees.
• Ability to strategize and set vision, excellent analytical & problem resolution skills.
• Effective organizational skills and time management skills; balance multiple priorities successfully.
• Emotional Intelligence - high levels of self-awareness, the ability to flex communication style to target audience and emotional resilience.
• Ability to travel internationally up to 40%.
• Proficient in all Microsoft Office applications.
Why Taco Bell?
• We truly believe that where you work matters, and we know a thing or two about what makes employees happy. Join us on our mission of feeding people’s lives with Más!
• We are about more than just building restaurants—we connect with our fans through their passions including sports, gaming, and music
• We know that employees want a company they can live and grow with; they crave a unique culture that fosters creativity and encourages pursuit of passion, and they look for opportunities to take risks, develop skills and learn in ways that fit their lifestyle
• We foster a culture of authenticity and believe all people can make a difference!
