Innovation Manager

Church’s Texas Chicken

Job Title: Manager, Calendar, Innovation and Menu

Reports To: Sr. Director, Calendar, Innovation and Menu

Job Summary:

The Manager, Calendar, Innovation and Menu lead Calendar, Innovation, and Menu strategy and execution in conjunction with Senior Director. Is responsible for ownership of Stage Gate process (charter, brief, ideation, development, and in-restaurant testing) of product innovation and promotion, both LTO and on-menu. Acting as lead partner to brand, culinary, supply chain, and operation teams, leveraging consumer insights, market trends, and analyses to drive flawless innovation development and execution. Strategic partner with Senior Director in development of Marketing Calendar. Execution partner with Go-To-To Market Manager to insure strategic development and flawless execution of all in-mart tests and calendar plan.

.

Work closely with cross-functional teams and external agencies, the ideal candidate will leverage trends, data-driven insights and continuous testing to optimize performance and align innovation efforts with broader business goals.

Key Responsibilities:

Innovation & Menu:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive innovation, menu and LTO strategy, including long-term vision and short-term tactical plans.
• Full Stage Gate Testing ownership from charter to post in-restaurant test analysis and recommendation.
• Full ownership of all in-restaurant tests: test strategy, market selection, sell-in, product forecasting, execution, post test analysis, and leadership recommendation.
• Lead the ideation, development, and testing of new menu items and promotional Limited Time Offerings (LTOs).
• Continuously analyze menu item performance, identify areas for improvement, and develop forecasts for new items.
• Stay informed about industry trends, consumer preferences, and competitive activities to inform menu decisions.

Calendar

• Assist in the development and execution of National Marketing Calendar.
• Responsible for owning and updating National Calendar document.
• Develop Calendar related documents and power point presentations
• Stay informed about industry calendars and competitive activities to inform calendar decisions.

Data Analysis & Insights:

• Conduct in-depth analysis of performance, using data to identify opportunities and optimize the menu, innovation and calendar.
• Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) related to menu performance, innovation, and calendar.
• Own consumer insights and leverage data and insights into menu decisions.
• Partner with BI Analytics and leverage data and into menu decisions.

Project Management & Collaboration:

• Manage the entire menu innovation pipeline, from concept development to launch, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including culinary, marketing, operations, supply chain, and quality assurance, to execute plans.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders, providing regular updates on progress and results.
• Own monthly cross-functional Innovation meeting

Financial Management:

• Develop and manage budgets for menu innovation projects.
• Analyze the financial impact of menu changes, including revenue, cost, and profitability.
• Food cost development and ownership.
• Identify opportunities to optimize the menu for profitability.

Position Qualifications/Experience:

• 5-7 years’ experience in innovation and calendar management - preferably with QSR or fast casual in a franchised business model.
• Strong expertise and proven track record in stage gate development process from charter to final calendar recommendation.
• Experience with Calendar development and execution.
• Must be able to work in fast paced and highly cross functional work environment, especially the ability to influence and manage without authority
• Strong working knowledge and experience with consumer insight management and execution - screeners, maxdiffs and CLTs, and possess the ability to translate consumer insights and analytical data into recommendations.
• Manage several project workstreams at the same time.
• Strong comfort level with conducting ad hoc “marketing” analytical analysis.
• Strong presentation skills with experience communicating results to key stakeholders.
• Ability to travel up to 30%.