Food Technologist
Job Summary
Support and assist in the commercialization of products, processes, and practices within the KFC system. Conduct yield studies for new and existing food products. Develop KFC cooking procedures, equipment functionality, and product specifications in collaboration with internal teams and external vendors. Support in the creation and testing of new products, including sensory evaluations, lab prep, market research, and initial production runs. Coordinate product and equipment testing with restaurant operations and support training and documentation for new products for market tests and national launches. Produce, gather, analyze, and communicate experimental data to inform product decisions and recommend next steps. Collaborate cross-functionally and with external partners to ensure food safety, quality, and operational feasibility across product development initiatives.
About the Role
Support and assist in the commercialization of products, processes, and practices within the KFC system. Conduct yield studies for new and existing food products. Develop KFC cooking procedures, equipment functionality, and product specifications in collaboration with internal teams and external vendors. Support in the creation and testing of new products, including sensory evaluations, lab prep, market research, and initial production runs. Coordinate product and equipment testing with restaurant operations and support training and documentation for new products for market tests and national launches. Produce, gather, analyze, and communicate experimental data to inform product decisions and recommend next steps. Collaborate cross-functionally and with external partners to ensure food safety, quality, and operational feasibility across product development initiatives.
Responsibilities
- Conduct yield studies for new and existing food products.
- Develop KFC cooking procedures, equipment functionality, and product specifications in collaboration with internal teams and external vendors.
- Support in the creation and testing of new products, including sensory evaluations, lab prep, market research, and initial production runs.
- Cooking procedures, equipment functionality, and product specifications in collaboration with internal teams and external vendors.
- Coordinate product and equipment testing with restaurant operations and support training and documentation for new products for market tests and national launches.
- Produce, gather, analyze, and communicate experimental data to inform product decisions and recommend next steps.
- Collaborate cross-functionally and with external partners to ensure food safety, quality, and operational feasibility across product development initiatives.
Requirements
- College Degree, bachelor’s degree preferred in food science, animal science, engineering, science or related.
- Minimum of 3 years of product development experience, quality assurance, commercialization, or food manufacturing.
- Experience in the food industry or quick service industry, or a strong interest in being a part of a global iconic brand QSR company; experience working with franchisees is also highly preferred.
- Experience with poultry a plus.
- Eagerness to learn a must.
- Demonstrated expertise in process nurturing ideas from infancy to launch while delivering on time and profitability results.
- Confidence, presence and personal drive balanced with humility and ability to excel in a team-based approach to innovation while still maintaining a point of view and building relationships.
- Ability to think creatively to achieve breakthrough results.
- Strong analytical and critical thinking ability.
- A strong moral compass and commitment to doing what is right.
- A sense of urgency and passion for turning knowledge and innovation into action.
- Strong technical skills with the ability to filter through consumer and business needs.
- Ability to work productively and communicate effectively across all levels of the organization including many diverse working styles and backgrounds and to maintain a team built on collaboration, integration, integrity, and ingenuity.
- Ability to act as an effective change agent while focusing on actions that are most critical for achieving step-change results.
- A positive attitude and high energy level.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills.
- Flexibility, resilience, and the ability to deal with ambiguity, welcoming and embracing change while respecting the value of tradition.
Qualifications
- Education/Certifications: College Degree, bachelor’s degree preferred in food science, animal science, engineering, science or related.
Skills
- Product Development
- Quality Assurance
- Commercialization
- Food Manufacturing
- Collaboration
- External Partnerships
- Food Safety
- Quality Control
- Operational Feasibility
- Product Testing
- Sensory Evaluations
- Market Research
- Lab Prep
- Training and Documentation
- Data Analysis
- Communication
- Change Management
- Teamwork
- Innovation
- Problem Solving
- Decision Making
- Project Management
- Leadership
Benefits
Not specified.
Pay
$72,200 to $80,750 annually + bonus eligibility. This is the expected salary range for this position. Ultimately, in determining pay, we'll consider the successful candidate’s location, experience, and other job-related factors.
Schedule
Not specified.