Welcome to KFC. Home of the real ones.
We sell the world’s best chicken. Seriously. And we’ve done it since 1939, when the idea of crispy, original recipe chicken took Kentucky by storm. Now, we’re proud to serve 1000+ communities across the UK and Ireland, bringing the grit, pride and iconic reputation that we started with, all those years ago.
Across the Restaurant Support Centre (RSC), we come to work to be ourselves, and to make something of ourselves. We want to see our potential go that little bit further, as part of one of the world’s most iconic brands.
What’s the gig? Well, you support our restaurants — and we’ll support you every step of the way. Simple. Our doors are open — and they can take you anywhere.
All we ask is that you be you. Because that makes us, us. Sound good? Great. Let’s find out about that job.
THE TEAM
Our Marketing team is a 50-strong crew of bold thinkers, culture shapers and creative doers - from Brand and Digital to Strategy, Food Quality and Innovation. We’re here to keep KFC at the heart of culture across the UK & Ireland, blending our iconic roots with fresh, fearless ideas that connect with real people. We don’t just make ads - we build love, drive growth, and stay one step ahead of what’s next.
ABOUT THE ROLE
As our Innovation Manager, you’ll be holding
the reigns of the creative and strategic direction of key innovation projects
to evolve our Finger Lickin’ Good menu. You’ll join the Strategy &
Innovation Team who are integral to shaping the future growth of KFC –
including dreaming up new concepts and products (like our new Dripped Platform,
the Double Down, or the Dirty Louisiana), helping to transform categories and
occasions and designing the customer food experience. You’ll report into the Innovation
Lead and will be responsible for key Innovation platforms for the UK&I
business. This is a great opportunity to join the thriving and award-winning
Marketing team.
What
YOU’LL DO:
* You’ll play a big part in supporting leading the
strategic thinking and ideation across specific projects to evolve the KFC
UKI menu over the short, medium and long-term.
* You will be part of the team who are guardians of
our brand’s food philosophy. Following in the Colonel’s footsteps as
architect of our menu vision, defining the principles and plans that will
guide menu development.
* You’ll dream up some amazing new product ideas
and concepts, both independently and via collaboration with the wider
team. You’ll manage these concepts end to end through our innovation
processes, including managing timelines & approval stage gates, writing
product briefs, and working with our Product Developers
* We are growth focused and you’ll be responsible
for helping shape how KFC grows into new categories to grow our market
share.
* You’ll get to grips with what gets our customers’
tastebuds tingling - validating and testing the product innovation
pipeline for your key platforms to ensure it meets their tastes,
preferences, and expectations.
* You’ll also need to think holistically about each
product concept — considering everything from taste and texture to
packaging, price, and the occasion it’s made for. There’s plenty to sink
your teeth into.
* You will balance high-level strategic thinking
with a creative hands-on approach.
* You will often be called on to develop
presentations and documents that bring our food vision and product
pipeline to life in dynamic and compelling ways.
* You’ll oversee the creations from start to
finish… as products move from concepts to being designed by the NPD team
and ultimately launched, you will work closely with your colleagues to
ensure strategic foundations remain sound and the launch is a success.
* You will work collaboratively with stakeholders
from across the business, including Brand & Retail, Operations,
Commercial Finance and Supply Chain.
What we
love from you:
EXPERIENCE
* We’re
looking for a strong track record of innovation, food or retail experience
helpful, but we are open to great innovators and from other backgrounds too.
* You’ll
have experience thinking about complex business growth challenges through a
customer and brand lens. You’ll have a keen eye for insights and are
data-savvy.
* It’s
a team sport, so you’ll build strong relationships cross functionally – you’ll
need a total team player mentality and a drive to getting things done.
* You
must be able to demonstrate outstanding strategic thinking and superb communication
skills, with an ability to galvanize others behind your vision
* You’re
able to balance agility & pace with the right process rigour to support
speed to market,
* A
passion for food, natural curiosity of trends and customer tastes, and last but
not least loves chicken!
About
you
* Someone
who is fascinated and excited about building successful brands through
innovation.
* You
are intellectually curious and creative. Able to build a vision and bring
people with you with insights and storytelling.
* You’re
self-motivated with a drive for action; you take initiative and are comfortable
working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, identifying opportunities for
your portfolio and comfortable navigating change.
* Understands
the power of a concept - can protect that and build it - whilst making it
operational, scalable, and commercially viable.
* Having
the ability to cut through the jargon and speak fluent “consumer” but with our
brand and menu vision at the very heart of your ideas
* You’re
ambitious and want to grow your career in food brand management. You don’t want
it to stop just there though - we’ve got a culture of building great
international leaders too.
* Culture matters at Yum!, and it’s something we genuinely
pride ourselves on. You’ll bring your authentic self to work, stay curious and
collaborative, and feel confident challenging thinking, testing ideas and
working openly with others to turn good ideas into great outcomes.
* We’re
looking for someone who is solutions driven, meaning you’ll be inquisitive,
tenacious and determined… always looking for new ways to deliver
ground-breaking work.
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU:
We offer benefits that make your life that little bit easier, because we know the juggle is real.
From flexible, hybrid working to Fri-Yay early finishes and Live Well Days, we’ve created a package that supports the real you, in and out of work.
You’ll get:
* Hybrid working from our Woking RSC (just 24 mins from London). Our Marketing team spends Tuesdays and Wednesdays Face to face.
* Up to 11% company pension contributions
* Fri-Yay finishes at 1pm every Friday
* 25 days’ holiday (plus bank hols) a
* 5 Live Well Days a year, just for you
* Bonus scheme linked to company & personal performance
* Private healthcare, Digital GP access & mental health coaching
* Enhanced parental leave and flexible return options
* Study support, income protection, life cover & more
* And yes—25% off the chicken
Because real ones deserve real rewards.
THE ROAD TO BECOMING A REAL ONE...
1. Apply (Go on... do it) – send us your CV and answer a couple of app questions.
2. Intro call with our Talent Team
3. Virtual call with Hiring Manager + another member of the wider team
4. F2F interview at our HQ, Home of The Real Ones in Woking
KFC FOR EVERYONE:
Whoever you are and wherever you’re from, KFC is a place where you can bring the real you to work.
Our promise is this: every person who applies to a role at KFC, regardless of age, background, ethnicity, gender, ability, religion or sexual orientation, will have an equal opportunity to work here. We don’t just welcome, we encourage applications from underrepresented groups from all industries.
If you’d like any additional support with your application, have a disability or condition that may affect your performance during the recruitment process, or have any other requirements — just let us know. We’ll be there to help you be the real you.
Ready?
We hope so, if you’re ready to be part of our community, now’s the time to apply.
Worried you aren’t ticking all the boxes? Don’t - we’d still love to hear from you.
Beware of fake job postings using Yum! and/or our brand logos -- KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Habit Burger & Grill -- on fraudulent sites. Yum! Brands only posts jobs on official careers pages and never asks for money during onboarding. Avoid unsolicited contacts via Telegram, WhatsApp or similar social apps.