Director, Product Innovation & Strategy (Beef), Burger King, US & Canada

Role Overview

Burger King is seeking a bold, consumer-obsessed Director of Product Innovation & Strategy (Beef) to lead menu innovation for the US & Canada markets.

Key Responsibilities

• Product Innovation & Strategy (Beef Category)
• Lead end-to-end culinary innovation for Burger King US & Canada, including new product development, LTOs, core menu evolution, and platform innovation for all beef products
• Translate consumer insights, food trends, and cultural moments into winning menu concepts that elevate flame-grilled beef and reinforce Burger King’s leadership in burgers
• Manage a robust innovation pipeline across beef with a clear point of view on when to protect, stretch, or reinvent iconic products
• Beef & Whopper® Platform Leadership
• Serve as the culinary steward of the Whopper®, ensuring all iterations deliver on taste, quality, value, and brand relevance
• Lead development of new Whopper® builds, flavor profiles, formats, and limited-time offers, while protecting the integrity of the core Whopper®
• Partner with Supply Chain and QA to drive continuous improvement in beef patty performance, flame-grill quality, and ingredient specifications
• Explore innovation across premium, value, customization, and cultural flavors within the Whopper® and broader beef portfolio
• Product Development & Commercialization
• Oversee product development from concept creation through kitchen validation, supplier readiness, and national launch
• Partner with Operations and Supply Chain to ensure beef innovations are executable at scale across franchised and company-owned restaurants
• Balance creativity with speed, cost, food safety, and operational simplicity
• Cross-Functional Leadership
• Serve as the Beef Expert and thought leader for US & Canada, collaborating with Marketing on Whopper® storytelling, positioning, and launch strategies
• Influence franchise partners and advisory councils by clearly articulating the “why” behind beef and burger innovation
• Present concepts, tastings, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership
• Brand & Consumer Focus
• Champion Burger King’s brand DNA while pushing bold, flame-grilled, beef-forward innovation
• Ensure Whopper® and beef innovations reflect regional preferences, cultural relevance, and evolving consumer expectations

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts, Food Science, Hospitality, or Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, Food Science or related field (advanced degree a plus)
• 10+ years of progressive experience in culinary innovation, menu development, or R&D—preferably within manufacturing or large-scale foodservice
• Demonstrated success leading beef or burger-centric innovation at national scale
• Strong understanding of franchised restaurant operations, supply chain constraints, and cost management is a plus
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and franchise partners
• Experience leading teams in a matrixed organization

Key Competencies

• Deep passion for burgers and beef-forward innovation
• Strategic, brand-minded culinary leadership
• Commercial and operational acumen
• Executive presence with the ability to tell a compelling food and brand story
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, highly visible environment

Expected Travel

Up to 40%

Benefits

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.

About the Role

RBI follows a 5 day, in-office work schedule to support collaboration. Successful candidates will be expected to work onsite 5 days per week out of our Miami, FL office location.