Sr Scientist – Innovation Chef

KFC US, a leader in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry, is renowned for its iconic fried chicken and commitment to delivering high-quality, crave-worthy food experiences to guests nationwide. Established as a global brand, KFC continues to innovate and evolve its menu to meet changing consumer tastes and market trends. With a rich heritage rooted in bold flavors and a customer-first approach, KFC US not only prioritizes taste but also emphasizes operational efficiency, quality assurance, and brand relevance in every product it offers. As a part of a dynamic team, the company fosters a collaborative culture where creativity, innovation, and teamwork drive lasting success.

This role centers on playing an essential part in advancing KFC US's pipeline of new menu innovations. The position involves supporting and leading critical portions of the innovation process, from early concept development through rigorous testing and validation phases. The role demands strong technical expertise combined with cross-functional coordination across marketing, operations, quality assurance, supply chain, and finance teams. As a culinary innovator at KFC US, the successful candidate will help ensure that all new menu items meet the company’s high standards for taste, quality, operational ease, and brand alignment. This includes hands-on product development, structured sensory evaluations, and thorough data analysis to guarantee that flavors perform consistently from kitchen to restaurant.

Key responsibilities involve advancing menu and ingredient innovations by spearheading product development and validation activities, enabling and managing supplier relationships to ensure scalable and commercially viable ingredient solutions, and evaluating consumer feedback, operational constraints, and cost data to identify continuous improvement opportunities. The candidate will also track culinary and industry trends, both within quick-service and adjacent segments, to inform strategic menu evolution. Acting as a culinary subject matter expert, they will represent the Food Innovation & Technology (FIT) team in cross-functional forums, articulating progress, resolving challenges, and guiding solutions toward successful commercialization.

This position requires working onsite three days a week at the Plano, TX office and offers an annual salary ranging from $99,200 to $105,030 with bonus eligibility. This salary is reflective of the candidate’s location, experience, and job-related factors. Overall, this role represents a challenging yet rewarding opportunity for a culinary professional passionate about transforming food innovation concepts into executable menu wins that delight customers and uphold KFC’s brand legacy.