📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Sr. Manager, Trade Marketing (Saucy by KFC)
🔹 Company: Taco Bell
🔹 Location: Plano, TX
🔹 Job Type: Hybrid
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: July 3, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Tues, Wed, Thurs) with flex day Friday
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and implementing localized marketing strategies to enhance brand presence and drive sales at the restaurant level.
- Overseeing campaign planning, from conception to execution, to drive local engagement and increase brand presence.
- Establishing partnerships with local businesses, community organizations, and event sponsors to enhance brand visibility and create community connections.
- Monitoring and analyzing campaign performance, using data to refine strategies and optimize future initiatives.
- Collaborating with market leadership and in-market teams to ensure alignment on goals and effective campaign execution.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset with a strong focus on local execution and a deep understanding of restaurant profitability.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop and implement targeted marketing plans that align with regional business goals, adapting national strategies to meet the unique needs of each market.
✅ Oversee campaign planning, from conception to execution, to drive local engagement and increase brand presence.
✅ Identify and establish partnerships with local businesses, community organizations, and event sponsors to enhance brand visibility and create community connections.
✅ Monitor and analyze campaign performance, using data to refine strategies and optimize future initiatives.
✅ Provide regular reporting to leadership on the effectiveness of campaigns, including ROI, customer feedback, and growth metrics.
✅ Conduct market research to stay informed about customer preferences, competitor activities, and emerging trends.
✅ Perform other duties and ad-hoc projects as required.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong project management skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field is required; an advanced degree or certification in marketing is a plus.
Experience: 5 years’ experience in trade marketing, field marketing, or consumer-facing marketing in QSR, fast-casual, retail, or hospitality sectors.
Required Skills:
- Proven success in developing and executing high-impact local campaigns that drive measurable sales results (traffic, check average, guest frequency).
- Strong preference for candidates with experience in high-growth brands or similar operations-focused concepts.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Ability to think both creatively and strategically, adapting broad marketing strategies to local markets and creating engaging, tailored campaigns.
- Proficient in using data analytics tools to track performance, assess campaign impact, and make informed decisions that drive future marketing efforts.
Preferred Skills:
- Prior experience with restaurant P&L and a deep understanding of how marketing connects to unit-level profitability.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong understanding of the restaurant industry and experience working with local marketing campaigns.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $139,000 to $163,500 annually + bonus eligibility + benefits
Benefits:
- Hybrid work schedule (onsite expectation Tues, Wed, Thurs) and year-round flex day Friday
- Onsite childcare through Bright Horizons
- Onsite dining center and game room (yes, there is a Taco Bell inside the building)
- Onsite dry cleaning, laundry services, carwash,
- Onsite gym with fitness classes and personal trainer sessions
- Up to 4 weeks of vacation per year plus holidays and time off for volunteering
- Generous parental leave for all new parents and adoption assistance program
- 401(k) with a 6% matching contribution from Yum! Brands with immediate vesting
- Comprehensive medical & dental including prescription drug benefits and 100% preventive care
- Discounts, free food, swag and… honestly, too many good benefits to name
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is inclusive of the base salary and any additional compensation components such as bonuses or commission structures.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Restaurants
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees
Founded: 1962 (as Taco Bell, Inc.)
Company Description:
- Taco Bell is an American chain of fast food restaurants based in Irvine, California.
- The company is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., and operates as a separate division.
- Taco Bell serves a variety of Mexican-inspired dishes such as tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, and other specialty items.
Company Specialties:
- Quick service restaurants
- Mexican-style food
- Fast food
- Franchising
- And QSR
Company Website: http://www.yum.com
ASSUMPTION: Taco Bell is a well-established brand with a strong presence in the fast food industry, known for its innovative marketing strategies and commitment to customer satisfaction.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior Manager
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Director of Trade Marketing for Saucy by KFC.
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (onsite expectation Tues, Wed, Thurs) with flex day Friday
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow into a director-level role as the Saucy by KFC brand expands.
- Opportunities to work on high-profile campaigns and initiatives that drive brand awareness and sales.
- Chance to gain experience in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with a focus on innovation and growth.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to make a significant impact on the brand's success.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Corporate headquarters
Office Location(s): Plano, TX
Geographic Context:
- Plano is a city in the U.S. state of Texas, located about 20 miles northeast of Dallas.
- The city is known for its high quality of life, excellent school districts, and a thriving business community.
- Plano is home to several Fortune 500 companies and offers a diverse range of cultural, recreational, and entertainment options.
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week) with a hybrid work arrangement (onsite expectation Tues, Wed, Thurs) and flex day Friday
ASSUMPTION: Plano, TX, offers a desirable work-life balance with a combination of urban and suburban living options, excellent schools, and a strong business community.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video screening with HR
- In-depth behavioral and skills-based interview with the hiring manager
- Final interview with the director or other senior leaders
- Background check and offer extension
Key Assessment Areas:
- Marketing strategy and campaign development
- Data analysis and reporting
- Partnership development and management
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Problem-solving and adaptability
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant marketing experience and achievements.
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your marketing strategy, campaign development, and data analysis skills.
- Research the Saucy by KFC brand and Taco Bell's marketing strategies to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its goals.
- Be prepared to discuss your experience with local marketing campaigns and partnerships.
ATS Keywords: Trade Marketing, Field Marketing, Local Campaigns, Sales Results, Communication Skills, Interpersonal Skills, Data Analytics, Market Research, Partnership Development, Campaign Performance, Team Collaboration, Training, Strategic Thinking
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's marketing strategy, campaign development, and data analysis skills, as well as their ability to work effectively in a team and adapt to a fast-paced environment.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Google Analytics
- Social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)
- Campaign management software (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer)
- Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
ASSUMPTION: This role requires proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Analytics, and social media platforms, as well as familiarity with campaign management software and data visualization tools.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Innovation
- Quality
- Customer-centricity
- Integrity
- Collaboration
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic
- Data-driven and analytical
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and flexible
- Innovative and creative
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends and customer preferences?
- Can you provide an example of a successful local marketing campaign you've developed and executed?
- How do you approach building and maintaining effective partnerships with local businesses and community organizations?
- How do you use data to inform your marketing strategies and measure campaign performance?
- How do you balance creativity and innovation with data-driven decision-making?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be able to demonstrate a strong fit with Taco Bell's company values and work style, with a focus on innovation, data-driven decision-making, and collaboration.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple local campaigns simultaneously, requiring strong project management skills and attention to detail.
- Adapting national marketing strategies to meet the unique needs of each local market, requiring a deep understanding of regional customer preferences and competitive landscapes.
- Working with a diverse range of stakeholders, including restaurant operators, franchisees, and local marketing teams, requiring strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Keeping up with the fast-paced nature of the restaurant industry, requiring a high level of adaptability and flexibility.
ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges that require a strategic mindset, strong project management skills, and the ability to work effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on the trade marketing aspects of a new, high-growth brand within the broader Taco Bell organization.
- Unlike traditional trade marketing roles, this position requires a strong understanding of the restaurant industry and experience working with local marketing campaigns.
- Career progression in this role may differ from more established trade marketing paths, offering unique growth opportunities as the Saucy by KFC brand expands.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be aware that this role offers unique challenges and growth opportunities that may differ from more traditional trade marketing positions.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a grand opening marketing campaign for a new Saucy by KFC location, including local promotions, community partnerships, and in-store events.
- Analyzing customer data to identify trends and preferences, and using insights to inform marketing strategies and campaign development.
- Collaborating with local marketing teams to create tailored marketing materials and promotions that drive sales and enhance brand presence in each market.
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects highlight the strategic and creative aspects of the role, as well as the importance of data-driven decision-making and collaboration with local marketing teams.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the marketing strategy for the Saucy by KFC brand and how this role fits into its overall growth plan?
- How does the trade marketing team collaborate with other departments, such as operations and franchise development, to ensure alignment on goals and effective campaign execution?
- What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of local marketing campaigns, and how are they tracked and reported?
- How does the company support the professional development and growth of its trade marketing team members?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the trade marketing team in the coming year, and how can this role help address them?
ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to provide insight into the company's marketing strategy, the role's fit within the organization, and the challenges and opportunities facing the trade marketing team.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant marketing experience and achievements, with a focus on local campaign success and partnership development.
- Prepare a cover letter that demonstrates your understanding of the Saucy by KFC brand and your enthusiasm for the role.
- If applicable, prepare a portfolio or examples of your marketing work to showcase your skills and accomplishments.
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
