Director Menu Strategy and Innovation (U.S. & Canada)

Since 1940, Dairy Queen® has been one of the world’s best known and loved brands. Based in Minneapolis, MN, International Dairy Queen Inc., (IDQ), is the parent company of American Dairy Queen Corporation. As a leading franchisor, there are more than 7,000 independently owned and operated restaurants in the U.S., Canada and more than 20 countries around the world. IDQ is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Berkshire) which is led by Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire.

Here at IDQ, we create extraordinary Fan experiences every day and we do this through our commitment to hiring and retaining only the best in class talent. We firmly believe that our employees are the catalyst to the success of the company where their initiative, strategic thinking, and entrepreneurial spirit are recognized and rewarded. We're looking for motivated, passionate and dedicated individuals with an inherent need and ambition to go after bigger challenges.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Director of Marketing, Menu Strategy & Innovation located at our corporate headquarters in Bloomington, MN. At Dairy Queen (DQ), menu strategy and product innovation marketing is the engine of our success and will play a lead role in meeting key business growth objectives in scaling the business from $7 billion today to $10 billion by 2030. The Menu Strategy & Product Innovation team fuels brand growth by staying relentlessly curious—keeping a finger on the pulse of the restaurant industry, competitive landscape, and evolving consumer behaviors. That curiosity uncovers new opportunities that fit the brand, excite guests, and drives profitable growth.

The Director of Marketing, Menu Strategy & Innovation will play a critical role in shaping the future growth of the menu at DQ by translating consumer, competitive, and marketplace insights into decisive short‑term actions and bold, long‑term strategy. This role owns the holistic performance and direction of assigned product categories—leading both day‑to‑day category management and the development of multi-year category strategies and growth plans.

This role is responsible for driving strategic growth by uncovering incremental and breakthrough opportunities across the DQ Menu including platform innovation, product line extensions, flavor strategy and menu rationalization initiatives—driving focus and prioritization on what will matter the most to grow the business.

At the hub of the wheel, the Director of Marketing, Menu Strategy & Innovation is a full‑spectrum business leader—setting direction, stewarding iconic products, and leading cross‑functional teams through complexity to deliver results and drive growth for the overall business.

This role establishes and nurtures strong partnerships through the use of strong project management skills and as a champion of the stage gate process that ensures alignment, buy‑in, and seamless execution across Product Development, Operations, Supply Chain, and Marketing.

This is a high‑impact opportunity for a dynamic, data‑driven marketer who thrives in a fast‑paced foodservice operating environment and has a proven ability to translate consumer insights into profitable business outcomes. The ideal candidate brings strong stakeholder leadership, comfort navigating ambiguity, and the ability to make and champion bold strategic choices across product innovation, pricing, and promotion.

If you’re passionate about purpose‑driven category leadership, cultural relevance, and shaping the future of an iconic brand through its products, this role puts you at the center of it all.

Strategic Planning Leadership

• Develop short, mid and long term product and menu growth strategies to drive positive transactions, gross margin, and sales through new products and disciplined portfolio optimization grounded in business, consumer, competitive, and market insights.
• Prioritize areas of focus for assigned categories for incremental and breakthrough prodcut innovation, line extensions, pricing and promotion opportunities, and menu rationalization to strengthen portfolio health.
• Partner with calendar development and marketing communications to shape annual marketing plans and integrate categories into key windows and tactics that drive the business and brand growth.
• Lead the annual learning agenda with Analytics & Insights, identifying priority questions and translating findings into strategic action to drive transactions, gross margin and sales.

Innovation & Product Development

• Translate category strategy into clear innovation briefs and development frameworks that guide consumer-led concepts and priorities.
• Lead innovation governance and stage-gate decisions, ensuring teams are prepared with strong learning plans, clear recommendations, and decision-ready materials.
• Resolve critical issues across innovation and product development while protecting brand integrity and decision quality.
• Ensure initiatives are operationally viable and scale-ready by incorporating feasibility, supply continuity, risk, and launch-readiness considerations early in development.
• Integrate marketing and promotional considerations so launches are on-brand, consumer-ready, and commercially effective.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Franchisee Leadership

• Build strong, two-way partnerships with franchisee leadership to ensure category and product strategies reflect operator realities and deliver in-store value.
• Serve as a senior liaison to franchisee leadership councils, communicating product strategies and implications while incorporating feedback to strengthen outcomes.
• Partner with Marketing, Calendar Development, Product Development, Operations, Supply Chain, and Menu Execution teams to align priorities and execution through the stage-gate process.
• Build alignment across stakeholders by clarifying priorities, navigating trade-offs, and removing barriers to execution across the system.
• Present category strategies, innovation direction, and performance updates to senior leadership to support informed decisions and organizational alignment.
• Exceptional executive communication and storytelling skills, including the ability to clearly articulate strategy, build alignment, and influence senior leadership and franchise partners.

Management of Product Marketing Professionals

• Lead and develop a high-performing Product Marketing team, setting clear expectations for strategic thinking, decision quality, and impact.
• Coach direct reports as category and business leaders, strengthening capabilities in strategy, innovation leadership, cross-functional influence, and executive communication.
• Establish clear operating models, roles, and ways of working that enable focus, pace, accountability, and high-quality output.
• Build bench strength through talent development, succession planning, performance management, and ongoing feedback.
• Foster a collaborative, curious culture that encourages constructive challenge, shared ownership, and strong enterprise leadership.

The US national base salary range for this position is $167,884 - $209,856. This position is also eligible for a bonus. The base salary range displayed reflects the targeted hiring range for positions across all US locations. Individual pay is determined by job-related skills, work location and relevant education or experience.

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of significant progressive leadership experience in product marketing, brand management, product management, or category strategy, ideally within QSR, foodservice, retail, or consumer packaged goods.
• Proven experience leading multi‑year category or portfolio strategies, translating consumer and market insights into growth‑driving product, innovation, and menu decisions.
• Deep experience operating within cross‑functional, matrixed organizations, partnering closely with Product Development, Operations, Supply Chain, Analytics & Insights, and Marketing.
• Experience building and leading high‑performing teams in fast‑paced environments.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. You must be work authorized in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship.

Benefits

Benefit eligible employees may receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical and dental coverage, 401K match, paid time off (including volunteer time as well as parental leave) and so much more! To learn more about our great benefit offerings, Click Here.

Work Environment

Most positions located out of our global headquarters in Bloomington, MN will work a hybrid work schedule where you will work 3 collaboration days a week. Additional in office time may be required to support team/project needs.

Inclusion & Belonging

We are committed to creating a culture of inclusion and belonging for all who touch DQ. We believe in and commit to fostering a community where employees bring their authentic selves to work, and where we recruit, engage, and retain employees, franchise owners, and suppliers based on qualifications and merit. We strive to maintain an environment where everyone feels welcome.

IDQ is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we use E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new team members. You must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship.