Department OverviewWe are looking for a shown beverage expert to join our Global Menu team. The Director Menu Innovation, Beverages & Desserts will contribute to the development and execution of our global beverage and desserts category strategy. This person will lead innovation to help optimize our beverage and dessert portfolio addressing current and future customer needs. In this role, the director will oversee a team of menu innovation professionals and work cross-functionally with internal partners and suppliers to deliver end-to-end product innovation with speed and quality top of mind. The role is responsible for providing insights to make strategic decisions that define the future product portfolio within the category and then driving the strategic development plan.
The ideal candidate brings a strong sense of passion, curiosity, and expertise in the beverage industry. They excel at translating strategic vision into compelling, consumer-relevant products through close collaboration with suppliers and a deep understanding of menu innovation processes.
As Director of Innovation, this individual will be operating in whitespace, bringing a creative, and forward-thinking approach to product development. They are motivated by a fast-paced, globally oriented, and highly multifaceted environment, and are adept at navigating complexity while driving significant innovation.
Duties- Provide strategic menu guidance and support to our VP, Beverage & Desserts Category Lead across global initiatives
- Lead innovation and category management, including portfolio optimization
- Ensure a robust pipeline of commercially viable concepts
- Be responsible for core product line extensions, including feasibility checks and development coordination
- Leverages Menu Architecture and other research to surface new opportunities
- Identify and develop white space opportunities to expand the menu and meet emerging consumer demands
- Define consumer needs and key product attributes, translating functional and emotional benefits into compelling product narratives and brand/product books
- Own product and ingredient specification development in collaboration with cross-functional partners
- Ensure global compatibility of ingredient application across food and beverage for system scaling, ensuring compliance with individual markets' regulatory requirements
- Lead concept development and testing, including the creation of supplier briefs and alignment with culinary, operations, and supply chain teams
- Synthesize concept testing findings and guide prioritization based on consumer, operational, and business impact
- Provide ongoing market support, ensuring relevance and responsiveness to in-market needs.
Qualifications- Experienced in food product innovation, menu development, or category management, ideally in a global or multi-market environment
- Ability to straddle and fluently converse in both the strategic and technical side of menu innovation
- Deep beverage expertise, with a solid understanding of product forms, preparation methods, and consumer preferences
- Extensive knowledge and relationship with supplier and culinary community
- Consistent record leading innovation pipelines from concept to commercialization, including product line extensions and white space development
- Collaboration and influencing skills; experience working in a matrixed and global, environment
- Strong analytical abilities with experience in portfolio strategy, performance analysis, and interpreting consumer and concept testing data
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to translate consumer needs into product strategies
- Passionate about execution and understanding it isnt real until it's in the restaurants
- Requires 8-10 years in beverage and/or liquid product development.
- A degree in Food Science, Culinary, or equivalent and have commercialization experience.
CompensationBonus Eligible: Yes
Long - Term Incentive: Yes
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Salary RangeThe expected salary range for this role is $168,350.00 - $218,860.00 per year
The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we may also consider your experience, and other job-related factors.
Additional Information: Benefits eligible: This position offers health and welfare benefits, including but not limited to comprehensive health insurance, which includes medical, prescription drug, mental health, dental and vision coverage, as well as, life insurance; a 401(k) plan; adoption assistance program; educational assistance program; flexible ways of working; and time off policies (including sick leave, parental leave, and vacation/PTO).
