Role Overview: Tim Hortons is seeking a creative Innovation Manager to lead the strategic product innovation pipeline and calendar strategy for Latin America region. This role will work cross functionally with key stakeholders to refine our innovation process, deliver a clear product strategy, optimize product quality, costs and operational processes of new and existing products.
The core focus of this role will be to shape the innovation strategy and monitor proper product launching in accordance with brand strategy, core menu development and consumer behavior to achieve incremental sales targets and boost consumer preference.
Key Responsibilities: - Lead generation and delivery of yearly innovation calendar of core product platforms and LTOs (limited time offers) in accordance with stablished brand strategy, consumer insights, market trends, sales and COGs targets.
- Lead ongoing strategic and ad-hoc innovation projects, with proper tracking with key stakeholders.
- Conduct weekly project status meetings with key regional and global stakeholders.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams including quality assurance, procurement, operations, marketing leads, suppliers, and franchisees to troubleshoot and resolve project challenges.
- Work jointly with internal and franchisee marketing, innovation and ops team to develop product concepts, recipes and help generate operation manuals.
- Collaborate with procurement to evaluate COGS feasibility of new product launches.
- Assist Quality Assurance team with ingredient specifications and provide improvement recommendations.
- Monitor launches, execution and KPIs to ensure successful and impactful product roll out.
- Oversee local and international suppliers in the development of new products and hold them accountable for meeting technical, quality and cost specifications during the commercialization process.
- Monitor product life cycle and frequently optimize menu offering.
- Identify market opportunities and trends to generate new product lines
- Identify technical issues in existing products/ ingredients and generate improvement action plan.
- Generate sensorial testing jointly with key stakeholders to ensure consumer preference and product standards.
- Routinely meet with key suppliers to discuss opportunities for cost reduction and/or quality improvement.
- When needed, visit production facilities and attend supplier production runs.
- Facilitate regular meetings with key suppliers to discuss opportunities for cost reduction and/or quality improvement.
- Assist in onboarding new suppliers and ensure compliance with brand policies/regulations.
- Assist operations team in determining proper equipment settings, holding and handling to ensure quality of the product, speed of service and easy execution.
- Support procurement team in identifying limitations within product specifications and find alternatives.
- Work with franchisees to manage supplier lead times, production and rollout of products.
- Manage product transition with franchisees and review/approve local product alternatives in emergency cases such as stockouts, supplier production setbacks and other market specific issues.
Skills & Qualifications: - Bachelor's degree in food science, culinary arts or related fields
- Minimum 3+ years in similar roles in QSR or kitchen experience preferably
- Proven ability to deliver and facilitate structured innovation plans and execution
- Data driven mindset - Proven ability in consumer research methodologies and execution
- Strong understanding of restaurant operations, supply chain constraints and cost management
- ServSafe certification a plus
- This position requires conducting business operations across the Latin America region. To perform the essential functions of this role, fluency in both English and Spanish is required.
Key Competencies: - Strategic, brand-minded culinary leadership
- Strong analytical and operational mindset
- Executive presence with the ability to tell a compelling food and brand story
- Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, highly visible environment
- Comfortable managing multiple projects at the same time
- Committed to deliver under pressure and positive attitude
- Expected travel of up to 50%
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Benefits at all of our global offices are focused on physical, mental and financial wellness. We offer unique and progressive benefits, including a comprehensive global paid parental leave program that supports employees as they expand their families, free telemedicine and mental wellness support.
