Pizza Hut is looking for a creative culinary talent with a passion for pizza to join our team as Associate Manager, Culinary Innovation, Corporate Chef. This position works on consumer-inspired culinary innovation. Work will focus on our core menu as well and dive into new areas of inspiration such as sides, snacks, desserts, wings, and beverages. You will work on front-end Culinary Design and Menu Innovation for the brand and work cross-functionally and collaboratively to bring traffic-driving innovation from idea to culinary “gold standard” for hand-off to Development & Commercialization teams around the globe. The Associate Manager, Culinary Innovation Corporate Chef, will sit on a team of 3 Innovation Chefs as the culinary “heartbeat” of Pizza Hut and reports to the Sr. Manager, Culinary Innovation, Corporate Chef.

Responsibilities:

Identify and explore emerging global trends that could translate into meaningful new products, flavors, formats, or other business opportunities. Participate in the ideation, culinary design, and “gold standard” benchtop prototyping to deliver a craveable, iconic menu that connects people through the joy of pizza. Work collaboratively with Menu Strategy, Brand Marketing, Consumer Insights, Menu Development/Commercialization Teams, and Supplier Partners to deliver consumer-informed, traffic-driving menu innovation. Considers restaurant operations, team member capability and equipment capability throughout the innovation design process to enable restaurant-level execution excellence. Encourage a culture of culinary excellence within culinary innovation and the broader enterprise. Participates in a broader team environment that encourages open communication and sharing of ideas.

Required:

5-7 years of progressive culinary experience.  Ability to translate data from many sources (traditional consumer insights, syndicated trend data, pop culture, social influencers) into a strong culinary and business insight to underpin all innovation. A passion for food trends and new culinary directions with breadth and depth of culinary experience. Highly curious and creative. Consumer centric and growth mindset. An open and inclusive thinker who embraces ideas other than their own. Working knowledge of restaurant operations and equipment to influence innovation.  Ability to independently work on multiple complex projects at the same time and ability to document, catalog, and share work in progress and work completed on an ongoing basis. Must reside in DFW area/be in the culinary lab a minimum of 4 days/week. Travel: Up to 10%

Preferred:

Culinary degree preferred, but not required. 2+ years in corporate innovation in a food forward multi-unit restaurant/retail brand or CPG/manufacturing equivalent.  Ability to develop and communicate a point of view to internal and external stakeholders.

 

Diversity & Inclusion - Everyone at the table

Pizza Hut, as a member of the Yum! Brands family, recognizes the importance of having an inclusive culture with diverse team members and a steadfast commitment to developing a company culture where everyone feels respected. One of Pizza Hut’s core values is to believe in all people and we create environments where differences are sought out and celebrated.