About the position
Reporting to the Manager of Product Development (Value and Canada), the PD Associate Manager is responsible for creating, developing and commercializing new food products & ingredients for the US and Canada business. Taco Bell is known for Value as this developer will focus on this area with hunting for new ideas to fulfill the Value product pipeline. This individual will influence and collaborate with partners inside and outside the business, including Operations, Brand Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, Supplier Partners, and Chefs to ensure all new programs meet the consumer, operations, and financial goals. An ideal candidate for this role will be a creative thinker with an ability to collaborate and convert ideas into real products with value in mind. This person will also help grow the Canada business and enable programs and ingredients from the US pipeline.
Responsibilities
- Inspire, create, and develop trend-setting food products, from prototype to commercialized.
- Ensure they meet our consumer, operations, and financial needs.
- Participate in Product Development team working sessions, sharing, collaborating and building on ideas and prototypes.
- Collaborate with brand marketing, and consumer insights peers understanding Value cost of sales targets and guardrails.
- Partner with PD, Commercialization, QA & Restaurant Food Safety to maintain quality and safety standards, and are thoroughly tested to confirm.
- Follow and create project timelines and problem solve when required to ensure programs hit deadlines.
- Proactively identify the needs, design, execution of product showings and development sessions.
- Assist/participate in product evaluations, competitive analysis, and special events.
- Manage multiple suppliers and vendors, providing clear direction, feedback, and next steps.
- Deliver presentations with a high degree of competence in a clear concise manner both written and verbally in front of leadership and large audiences.
Requirements
- BA/BS or higher required; Science degree preferred in either Food science, Culinary, Chemistry or related education.
- 4+ years work experience in food product development for restaurant and/or manufacturer.
- Team player who has strong ability to communicate clearly and effectively, as well as work efficiently and adapt to styles of a wide range of peers and partners.
- Creative innovator with a knowledge and passion for food.
- Solutions-orientated developer who can manage a fast-paced environment, handle multiple projects simultaneously and pivot as needed to meet deadlines.
- Ability to inspire, engage, develop with a cross functional team.
- Proficient in all Microsoft Office applications.
- Ability to be In-person 3-5 days a week at the Irvine office.
Benefits
- Hybrid work schedule (onsite expectation Tues, Wed, Thurs) and year-round flex day Friday.
- Onsite childcare through Bright Horizons.
- Onsite dining center and game room (yes, there is a Taco Bell inside the building).
- Onsite dry cleaning, laundry services, carwash.
- Onsite gym with fitness classes and personal trainer sessions.
- Up to 4 weeks of vacation per year plus holidays and time off for volunteering.
- Generous parental leave for all new parents and adoption assistance program.
- 401(k) with a 6% matching contribution from Yum! Brands with immediate vesting.
- Comprehensive medical & dental including prescription drug benefits and 100% preventive care.
- Discounts, free food, swag and honestly, too many good benefits to name.
