Why Wendys
When our square shaped burgers made their first sizzle on the scene more than 50 years ago, people knew our approach wasnt like any other. Same goes for the way we support our employees. Our culture of openness, flexibility, and inclusiveness allows everybody to flourish in their own way. If youre looking for a career where you can be part of the action as we continue to grow our iconic brand - We got you.
International R&D Lead
The position leads all International R&D for over 30 countries from ideation to concept development and testing to implementation. Creates on-trend, innovative menu items that support international brand strategy and fuel global objectives for growth of international business. Is the thought-leader driving best-in-class culinary innovation and collaborating with brand marketing operations, supply chain, QA engineering, and franchise partners.
Serves as brand ambassador for both internal innovation sessions and external opportunities with media, franchisees, suppliers, and SLT. Sets standards for International QA team in commercialization from new product development, product optimizations, and new markets. Manages all International sensory testing from study design, sensory objectives, execution, and implications on results.
Responsibilities:
• Manage multiple category platforms to develop a robust pipeline of compelling on-trend and traffic-driving products to be executed and supported by Franchise marketing calendars for international markets. • Provide culinary vision and direction to guide the overall food culture for International. • Collaborate with Sr. Director Brand and Advertising and with marketing and franchisee leaders in each of 4 regions. • Leads the annual food forum to align innovation calendars for the international franchisees. • Consult with franchisee teams as needed to approve locally developed products ensuring they meet brand requirements.
Key Responsibilities
Direct and manage the development of gold standard prototypes, new product ingredients, new menu item builds, and improved core menu products and procedures in collaboration with culinary peers, cross-functional, and supply partners.
Ensures all products and procedures are acceptable via the following:
• Meet specified success criteria for marketing, financial, and operational execution and procedure design. • Meet Three Green protocol alignment. • Regularly reviews new product development with regional marketing managers and Menu Councils. • Assesses all products and procedures that are being commercialized and implemented into International restaurants across 30 countries. • Ensure products meet or exceed consumer insights and product sensory testing benchmark. • Benchmark import and US costs provided for theoretical food cost modeling for new products.
Key Point Person
Manage projects, relationships, and expectations with cross-functional and global supplier partners to meet business objectives and timeliness. Is the key point person for all suppliers supporting international innovation. Lead these key supply partners to assist in development of pipeline innovation.
Schedule and Implementation
Schedule and execute creative sessions with cross-functional teams and supplier partners to support strategic innovation. Lead implementation of innovation and present recommendations to WCAP and WMAB franchisees. Manage Innovation Forum food content presentation and follow up with Marketing management.
International Consumer and Regional Sensory Product Evaluations
Understand business dynamics that impact each regions menu categories and assigned projects relative to supply operations, restaurant capability, supplier capability, competitive pressures, financial implications, consumer need states, quality assurance, and global culinary trends.
Lead International consumer and regional sensory product evaluations supporting logistics for food delivery. Develop panel methodology, design, recruit criteria, and ballot creation and programming when applicable. Complete data analysis for internal and consumer panels run by Wendys International.
Sensory Training Package
Develop full sensory training package for franchise partners to execute their own global consumer sensory studies in country. Collaborate with International third-party sensory groups on recruit methodology and ballot to execute in country consumer sensory studies. Publish and share all sensory results for international leadership.
Utilize Sensory Results
Utilize sensory results to create, develop, and optimize best-in-class products. Prioritize projects and assist with development plans that support a fun workplace. Identify on-the-job opportunities outside opportunities and stretch assignments to create a Global mindset in the Culinary Innovation team.
What We Expect from You
Education: Bachelors Degree in Food Science, Culinary, or Nutrition. Technical background and expertise necessary.
10 years combined experience in product development, restaurants, and education.
Proficient computer skills including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Strong organizational, communication, delegation, and presentation skills.
Creative thinker with ability to achieve results in a dynamic environment.
Passion for food.
Expected Work Location
In Office
It is expected that you will primarily perform work at the Wendys Restaurant Support Center RSC 1, Dave Thomas Blvd, Dublin, OH 43017, or at other locations as designated by the Company. You are required to work in the office at least 4 days a week. Changes to work location arrangements are subject to managerial approval and business needs.
LI-Onsite
Wendys was built on the premise "Quality is our Recipe" which remains the guidepost of the Wendys system. Today, Wendys and its franchisees employ hundreds of thousands of people across more than 7,000 restaurants worldwide with a vision of becoming the worlds most thriving and beloved restaurant brand.
Base Pay Range
The base pay range for this position is listed below. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and budget for the open position and also may vary depending on the candidates job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other relevant factors. This range does not include an estimated value for any benefits, bonus, or other incentives that may be applicable based on position.
The target annual bonus for this role is 20% of annualized base salary based on actual company and personal performance.
Wendys Benefits, Bonus, and Other Incentives
Wendys benefits, bonus, and other incentives are governed by the applicable legal plans and policies and where appropriate may be subject to Board approval and individual award agreement terms. Those documents supersede all other information regarding Wendys benefits, bonus, and other incentives.
Wendys retains the right to amend or terminate its plans and policies at its sole discretion in accordance with applicable plans, policies, and laws.
Education
Bachelors Degree
Travel
30
Pay Range
$90,000.00 - $173,000.00 Annually
Wendys is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
Wendys is an equal employment opportunity employer who may provide reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Apply Now
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About This Location
PO BOX 256 Dublin, Ohio 43017