Associate Marketing Manager, Kwench by KFC

Kwench by KFC is one of the most exciting growth opportunities in KFC Canada’s next chapter: a bold new beverage-led sub-brand designed to build a new category, unlock new occasions, and expand how Canadians experience KFC. The Associate Manager, Marketing — Kwench by KFC will help lead the end-to-end marketing strategy and execution for Kwench, acting as a key business owner across brand strategy, communications, retail activation, innovation commercialization, media, agency management, and performance tracking. This role is ideal for a marketer who wants to build something from the ground up, shape a new category within an iconic brand, and drive both short-term business results and long-term brand equity. 1. Lead Kwench Brand Strategy & Growth Planning Support the development of the long-term vision, positioning, and strategic role of Kwench within the broader KFC Canada business. Help build Kwench into a distinct, ownable sub-brand with a clear consumer proposition, visual identity, tone of voice, and growth roadmap. Translate consumer, category, cultural, and business insights into clear marketing strategies that drive awareness, consideration, trial, and repeat. Partner with cross-functional teams to define annual priorities, key growth opportunities, and the marketing roadmap for Kwench. Identify opportunities to strengthen Kwench’s role in building new occasions, particularly within beverages, snacks, treats, and younger consumer engagement. 2. Own Integrated Marketing Campaign Execution Lead the day-to-day execution of Kwench marketing campaigns across paid media, social, PR, influencer, retail, digital, CRM, and in-restaurant touchpoints. Work closely with agency partners to develop breakthrough creative ideas that make Kwench feel culturally relevant, distinctive, and unmissable. Manage campaign timelines, briefs, approvals, creative development, production, and executional delivery across the full IMC process. Ensure all consumer-facing work is strategically sharp, brand-right, operationally feasible, and built to drive business impact. Champion bold, disruptive, and social-first marketing that helps KFC compete beyond traditional QSR beverage advertising. 3. Drive Innovation Commercialization & Calendar Planning Partner with Innovation, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, and Retail teams to support the launch and scale of Kwench products. Help bring new beverages, flavours, platforms, and limited-time offerings to market through clear commercialization plans. Support go-to-market planning, including launch timing, product storytelling, pricing, merchandising, channel strategy, and operational readiness. Track performance of launches and campaigns, identifying key learnings and recommendations to optimize future activity. Ensure Kwench innovation is launched in a way that builds excitement with consumers, confidence with Franchisees, and alignment across the system. 4. Lead Retail, Digital & Guest Experience Touchpoints Manage how Kwench shows up across restaurant merchandising, digital menu boards, app, web, delivery platforms, CRM, and other guest-facing channels. Partner with Digital, Operations, Field, and Restaurant Excellence teams to ensure Kwench is easy to understand, easy to order, and compelling at point of purchase. Identify opportunities to improve conversion, upsell, basket attachment, and overall guest experience. Support the development of merchandising, restaurant communications, and operational materials that help teams bring Kwench to life consistently. Ensure all retail and digital assets ladder back to the broader brand strategy and campaign objectives. 5. Manage Business Performance, Budget & Reporting Monitor Kwench business performance across sales, mix, trial, repeat, campaign results, media performance, and key brand health indicators. Turn data and insights into clear recommendations for optimization, investment, and future growth. Manage marketing budgets, timelines, agency scopes, invoicing, and day-to-day project financials. Support leadership updates, Franchisee communications, business reviews, and internal presentations. Help build confidence in Kwench by clearly communicating performance, progress, learnings, and next steps. 6. Lead Cross-Functional & Agency Collaboration Act as a key connector across Marketing, Innovation, Operations, Finance, Supply Chain, Digital, Media, PR, Creative, and Franchisee stakeholders. Partner closely with agency teams to ensure creative, media, PR, influencer, and social plans are integrated and delivered with excellence. Build strong relationships across the KFC Canada system to drive alignment, momentum, and accountability. Bring a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset to complex projects with multiple stakeholders and fast-moving timelines. Education / Certifications Required: Undergraduate degree in Marketing, Business, Commerce, Communications, or a related field. Preferred: Experience in CPG, QSR, retail, beverage, innovation, or consumer-led brand management. Experience 3–5+ years of marketing experience, ideally in brand management, integrated marketing, innovation commercialization, retail marketing, or consumer packaged goods. Experience managing cross-functional projects from strategy through execution. Strong understanding of brand strategy, consumer insights, creative development, media, retail activation, and performance tracking. Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, stakeholders, and agencies in a fast-paced environment. Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into clear insights and action plans. Experience developing briefs, managing creative feedback, and supporting integrated campaign execution. Comfort working across both strategic planning and detailed execution. Skills & Capabilities Strong consumer-first mindset with curiosity for culture, food, beverage, and emerging consumer trends. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to simplify complexity for senior leaders, Franchisees, agencies, and cross-functional teams. Strong project management skills and attention to detail. Creative judgment and ability to build, assess, and strengthen breakthrough marketing ideas. Strong business acumen and comfort working with sales, mix, budget, and campaign performance data. Collaborative leadership style with the ability to influence without direct authority. Ability to thrive in ambiguity and help build new processes, systems, and ways of working. High ownership mindset, entrepreneurial energy, and excitement to build a new growth platform within an iconic brand. Passion for creating work that drives both brand love and business results. What makes KFC a great place to work? Our People. We invest in people capability above all else, with a proven track record of developing internal talent to leadership levels across the business both in Canada and globally. We hire and develop people who lead with Smart, Heart and Courage to make a big impact on the business today and grow into leaders of the future. Our Culture. We are known for a culture that rewards and recognizes bold results and promises everyone a seat at our table. We focus on your personal development as much as your professional development to ensure you can bring your best self to work. Why you’ll love working here Hybrid work model (2–3 days per week in office) Paid vacation and personal days, plus 10 paid KFC Canada holidays in addition to statutory holidays. Comprehensive health and dental benefits, including HSA and PSA options that allow you to personalize your coverage, plus life insurance and disability coverage, with employer-paid premiums Family-inclusive Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and virtual care Paid parental leave with salary top-up RRSP and DPSP retirement programs with employer matching Annual tuition reimbursement program Employee referral rewards And so much more! Note: remuneration, benefits, and other perks may vary by role, employment status, eligibility, and other relevant factors. Additional Information This posting is for an existing vacancy. We thank all applicants for their interest in joining KFC Canada; however, only those selected for further screening will be contacted. Applicants are assessed based on skills and experience relevant to the role. Canadian experience is not required. KFC Canada is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where everyone feels they belong. In accordance with applicable laws, we are committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment and selection process to meet the needs of applicants. If you require accommodation at any stage of the hiring process, please let us know. The expected hiring range for this role is $88,000 to $114,000 CAD , inclusive of base salary and target annual performance bonus. Final compensation will be based on factors such as skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity. KFC Canada uses artificial intelligence (AI)–enabled tools to support certain aspects of the recruitment process, including application screening and assessment, in accordance with applicable legislation. All final hiring decisions are made by human decision-makers.