Food Innovation Project Coordinator - L3/4

Yum! Brands, Inc. is the world's largest restaurant company with more than 33,000 restaurants in over 100 countries and territories and more than 840,000 employees worldwide. Four of our restaurant brands -- KFC, Long John Silver's, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell -- are the global leaders of the chicken, quick-service seafood, pizza and Mexican-style food categories respectively. A&W Restaurants is the longest running quick-service franchise chain in America. So come see what it's like to be with a leader in the restaurant industry. You'll find a fun and supportive culture, where our success comes from the belief that our people's capabilities are our greatest asset, and investing in you is our top priority.

The Long John Silver's Food Innovation Project Coordinator will support the development and execution of operationally feasible new/improved products for pipeline national events (limited time offers & menu items) within the A&W/LJS Food Innovation Department.

Specifically, you'll be responsible for:

•Support new product development for A&W/LJS pipeline (80%)

Plan & conduct product sensory panels (internal and guest); assist in the development of questionnaires
Assist in designing & implementing Ops product test models (including cooking, holding & product adherence to specification) to insure that new/improved products conform to specification, quality, cost & Ops performance expectations; document all critical product issues to team leader, including food safety concerns.
Assist in the development & evaluation of prototype new/improved products and the specifications of new/improved products
Coordinate Operations and Market tests; visit local test markets and write reports/recommendations based upon observations and experience
Assist in optimizing equipment, smallwares and packaging needs with Engineering, including conduct & present cooking, holding & performance test results for smallwares, equipment & packaging
Assist in the evaluation of competitor menus & products.
Support training for limited sales events and menu extensions
Document all new cooking & handling procedures for writing new/updated operational materials.
Support FI, RSS & Operation’s hands-on training programs (including videos and/or photography) as needed
Meet project deadlines & blue chips

•Support all LJS/A&W FI activities as needed and directed by Supervisor, including preparing products for presentations to YUM & LJS Leadership Teams, Franchisees and Operations (10%)

•Support and/or manage additional projects as needed and directed by Director and Food Innovation Officer (10%)
REQUIREMENTS


EDUCATION:

BA/BS degree in Food Science, Nutrition, or other food/restaurant related degree – or – Culinary Degree from accredited culinary school

EXPERIENCE (and other qualifications):

1-2 years restaurant or some other food service experience
Some experience in a product development environment
Can provide accurate, detail-oriented information on projects
Good oral/written communication skills: able to research, gather & organize data; presents findings/ conclusions effectively to others in a timely manner;
Computer skills: Microsoft Office (including Word and Excel)

YUM! Brands, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants for all job openings are welcome and will be considered without regard to race, gender, age, national origin, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.