Assoc. Brand Mgr., Taste Innovation

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Associate Brand Manager, Taste Innovation

🔹 Company: KFC

🔹 Location: Plano, Texas, United States

🔹 Job Type: On-site

🔹 Category: 🎨 Brand & Creative Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

📌 Essential Job Details

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Assisting in the development of audience and insight-based ideas to support an 18-month calendar.
• Leading project management of ideas from inception to national launch.
• Participating in ideation activities, screening and prioritizing concepts.
• Collaborating cross-functionally to refine, validate, and launch ideas successfully.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a proactive approach given the dynamic nature of taste innovation and a fast-paced environment requiring coordination across departments.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Development of Taste Innovation Projects - Leading the refinement of ideas, screening, and establishing official projects.

✅ Project Management - Creating and managing teams, ensuring operational and financial feasibility through testing phases.

✅ Validation - Overseeing the development and execution of test marketing materials and ensuring alignment internally and externally.

✅ National Launch - Managing campaign execution and aligning stakeholders both nationally and internally.

✅ Assisting in the sharing of progress during key events and meetings.

ASSUMPTION: Effective multitasking and leadership in coordinating between various teams is assumed necessary, given the overlap between project development and communication duties.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Undergraduate degree in Marketing, Marketing Research, or Social Sciences. MBA preferred.

Experience: 4 years post-undergraduate degree; experience in the restaurant or CPG sectors preferred. Post-MBA experience is advantageous.

Required Skills:

• Project Management
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Analytical Skills

Preferred Skills:

• Entrepreneurial Mindset
• Taste Innovation Expertise

ASSUMPTION: The need for a robust set of soft and hard skills indicates a focus on candidates with a well-rounded skill set, emphasizing leadership and strategic thinking.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Not specified. Typically competitive with industry standards in brand management roles in similar markets.

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Employee discounts

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, standard business hours, with potential for additional hours during peak project times.

ASSUMPTION: Despite no specific salary, the benefits package is likely comprehensive, prioritizing work-life balance and employee well-being.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Restaurants, focusing on fast food and quick service.

Company Size: 10,001+ employees, indicating strong support and resource access for ambitious projects.

Founded: 1952, with a rich history of innovation and market leadership.

Company Description:

• Global leader in the chicken restaurant sector.
• Part of Yum! Brands, a vast network of food service operations.
• Emphasis on employee success and breakthrough innovations.

Company Specialties:

• Fast Food
• Chicken Restaurant
• Franchise Operations

Company Website: http://www.kfc.com/careers

ASSUMPTION: Large company size suggests opportunities for career growth and development within a well-established corporate structure.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level, with opportunities for advancement.

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Director of Taste Innovation.

Work Arrangement: Full-time, on-site in a corporate setting.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential for advancement to senior management roles.
• Opportunities for professional development and skill enhancement.
• Engagement with innovative projects contributing to brand growth.

ASSUMPTION: The role's requirements suggest a path toward senior leadership opportunities for those demonstrating innovation and results in project management.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Corporate office environment.

Office Location(s): Plano, Texas, with proximity to urban amenities.

Geographic Context:

• Access to major transportation networks.
• Located in a business-friendly state.
• Dynamic local economy with diverse cultural offerings.

Work Schedule: Standard business hours with flexibility needed during key project phases.

ASSUMPTION: The office's strategic location in Texas aligns with corporate operations and employee recruitment from a vast talent pool.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Initial online application submission
• Telephone screening with HR
• In-person interviews with senior management

Key Assessment Areas:

• Leadership and management skills
• Creativity in marketing strategies
• Analytical and project management capabilities

Application Tips:

• Highlight experience in cross-functional project management.
• Emphasize achievements in previous marketing roles.
• Demonstrate understanding and experience in emerging food industry trends.

ATS Keywords: Project Management, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Taste Innovation, Marketing Strategy

ASSUMPTION: The multi-step interview process underscores the importance of cultural fit and the ability to handle a high-pressure role effectively.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Project Management Software (e.g., Trello, Asana)
• Data Analytics Tools (e.g., Google Analytics)
• Communication Platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams)

ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools is assumed to support effective project execution and communication.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Commitment to innovation and quality
• Empowerment of employees
• Dedication to community and customer satisfaction

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Fast-paced, results-focused
• Creative and innovative

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you thrive in high-pressure situations with multiple deadlines?
• Are you comfortable leading multi-functional teams without formal authority?
• Can you effectively translate customer insights into successful marketing strategies?

ASSUMPTION: Cultural alignment is critical, as the role requires adapting and contributing positively to KFC's collaborative environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing cross-functional team dynamics
• Balancing creative ideation with strategic business goals
• Staying ahead of market trends in a competitive landscape
• Ensuring timely delivery of projects and materials

ASSUMPTION: These challenges suggest the need for resilience and a solution-oriented mindset.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Role at competitor brand offering similar strategic project management
• Product Manager role focusing on innovation in consumer goods
• Brand Manager positions requiring similar cross-functional leadership

ASSUMPTION: Comparable roles emphasize leadership in innovation and strategic marketing capabilities.

📝 Sample Projects

• Development of new poultry menu items for national rollout
• Collaboration with marketing teams for targeted ad campaigns
• Coordination of cross-departmental workshops for idea generation

ASSUMPTION: The projects are illustrative of the variety and scope expected in this role.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does the company define success for this role?
• What are the biggest challenges faced by the taste innovation team?
• How is cross-functional collaboration facilitated within the company?
• What opportunities exist for career advancement from this position?
• How does KFC foster innovation within the organization?

ASSUMPTION: These questions aim to evaluate organizational support, role impact, and opportunities for future growth.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Ensure your resume showcases relevant project management and marketing experience
• Prepare for a multi-stage interview process emphasizing strategic and creative skills
• Research KFC’s innovation and marketing strategies in advance
• Be prepared to discuss specific examples of past successes in cross-functional projects

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.