Core Menu Strategy Architecture

The Manager, Core Menu Strategy owns the strategic stewardship ofKFC's core menu. The role translates consumer demand, menu performance, competitive dynamics, and operational realities into recommendations that strengthen KFC's most important menu platforms and distinctive equities. This role is critical to the Bird Comeback Plan because it helps ensure KFC's core menu remains relevant, differentiated, and commercially strong. The role supports Modem Menu by identifying opportunities to improve, simplify, renovate, and expand the menu while protecting the brand's biggest advantage: Chicken on the Bone. Reporting to the Director, Consumer Insights & Menu+ Innovation, this leader manages the core menu planning process, develops strategic menu recommendations, supports the innovation pipeline where needed, and helps ensure menu decisions are grounded in consumer insight, business impact, and operational feasibility. Core Menu Strategy & Architecture - 35% Primary accountability Own the strategic review of KFC's core menu portfolio. Identify opportunities to improve, simplify, expand, or reposition key menu platforms. Recommend menu architecture changes based on consumer demand, business performance, profitability, and competitive dynamics. Support development of the 3-year menu roadmap through analysis and recommendation. Protect KFC's distinctive menu equities, especially Chicken on the Bone. Menu Performance & Business Stewardship - 25% Monitor performance of core menu platforms across sales, transactions, mix, attachment, and profitability. Identify growth opportunities, risks, gaps, and renovation priorities. Develop fact-based recommendations that improve business performance. Partner with Finance and Analytics to evaluate menu decisions through a commercial lens. Consumer, Category & Competitive Intelligence - 15% Monitor consumer trends, category shifts, emerging food behaviors, and competitor activity. Translate learning into actionable menu recommendations. Partner with Consumer Insights to identify future menu opportunities. Maintain a deep understanding of category whitespace and threats. Menu Development & Innovation Support - 10% Support role, not ownership role. Support development and refinement of innovation concepts. Partner with Consumer Insights, FIT, and Culinary to evaluate opportunities. Help prioritize ideas entering the menu pipeline. Contribute recommendations to the broader innovation roadmap. Cross Functional Alignment & Commercial Readiness - 10% Partner with Brand Managers, FIT, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, and Value & eComm. Ensure menu recommendations reflect operational realities and commercial priorities. Support successful transition of validated concepts into commercialization teams. Feed menu recommendations through established governance processes. Data, Al & Modem Ways of Working-5% Use AI and analytics to accelerate menu analysis, competitive monitoring, and recommendation development. Create efficient reporting and decision-support tools for the broader menu team. Education/ Certifications Undergraduate degree required, preferably in Marketing, Business, Food Science, or related. MBA preferred but not required. Experience 6-9 years of progressive experience in brand, category, product marketing, menu strategy, innovation, or CPG/QSR product development. Proven experience turning consumer, category, and business insights into product or portfolio recommendations. Experience supporting concept development, product testing, commercialization, or menu/category strategy. QSR, restaurant, food, beverage, or CPG experience preferred. Functional Capabilities Strong commercial acumen, including sales, transactions, mix, margin, pricing guardrails, and category economics. Strong understanding of menu architecture, product positioning, concept writing, and innovation stage-gates. Ability to translate consumer learning and performance data into clear recommendations. Strong project management across multiple menu, innovation, and renovation workstreams. Leadership Capabilities Leads through influence across cross-functional teams. Builds trust with FIT, Operations, Finance, Supply Chain, Brand Managers, and franchisee-facing partners. Communicates clearly, frames trade-offs, and presents decision-ready recommendations. Mindset Consumer-first, commercially grounded, and highly curious about food. Protects KFC's distinctive equities while pushing the menu forward. Balances creativity with operational reality. Acts like an owner, moves with speed, and keeps the work focused on business impact. Salary Range: $132,480 to $139,840 annually + bonus eligibility. This is the expected salary range for this position. Ultimately, in determining pay, we'll consider the successful candidate’s location, experience, and other job-related factors.