Chief Technology & Digital Officer  - KFC LA&C

This position will play a critical role in developing digital strategy for the KFC LA&C region.  As part of this role you will be key in leading digital technology innovation and growth for multiple platforms that include: e-commerce, food aggregators, CRM, Call Centers, and Digital Marketing. You will have a chance to:

Redefine digital technology strategy to increase convenience, and create frictionless experiences Build better technology connectivity (“stickiness”) with franchisees, customers and suppliers, Provide deeper business intelligence insights into trends with customers, markets, products, and franchisees, and Create and implement technology solutions that give KFC a competitive edge in the market.

Organization supported: KFC, Latin America & Caribbean Franchise Business Unit (1900+ restaurants). 

Job scope: 37 countries, 50+ Franchise Partners.

This position will be based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Travel Required 30%-40% (International & Domestic)

Create and Drive Business Value

Drive competitive business results for the company through Digital Technology. Understand the business, KFC’s strategies and objectives. Drive business value for KFC by proactively leveraging technology – and the technology of franchisees – to improve financial results, expand existing and develop new markets and relationships. Actively partner with the leadership team on new business opportunities, driving the formulation of technology programs to empower new business initiatives and exceed KPIs such as incremental ecommerce sales, conversion, page load time, ticket average, frequency, etc Run a successful Digital Technology operation, providing the technology backbone to enable the business, including overall availability, scalability, performance, etc Be an ambassador for the company ‐ develop and maintain effective working relationships with customers, vendors, franchisees and other external partners. Meet with franchisees and partner on behalf of the Company to discuss current and future business opportunities, plans, data exchanges, policies and procedures, and information/knowledge.

Redefine vision for Digital Technology

Give guidance to the business and franchisees to help with their tactical decisions; always building towards the future. Identify and plan the direction of Digital Technology needs and ensure alignment with the overall strategic direction of the Company.

Successfully run the business of Digital Technology.

Run a quality Digital Technology shop. Embrace/enforce/champion proven practices, tools, and approaches (e.g. enterprise‐wide project management methodology, agile and waterfall development approaches, internal service level agreements, user‐centric philosophy, supporting performance metrics, et al). Embrace PMO and other tools to manage initiatives and constant in‐flux of new potential initiatives. Review planning for and monitor execution of designing, developing, testing and implementing computer systems to ensure quality, adherence to scope, plans, costs, and schedules. Utilize and enforce use of effective project/program management techniques for designing, presenting and managing constant in‐flux of major systems initiatives. Coach team to select and implement suitable technology to streamline all internal operations and help optimize their strategic benefits. Oversee the technological infrastructure (networks and computer systems) in the organization to ensure optimal performance. Manage the cost of Digital Technology within constraints defined by the company, franchisees and stakeholders. Define annual operating and capital budgets for Digital Technology. Manage Digital Technology expenditures, monitor budgets, and report variances. Analyze the costs, value and risks of information technology to advise management and suggest actions. Minimize/manage technology risk for the enterprise, including cyber risk by partnering with the KFC Global Team. Monitor changes or advancements in technology to discover ways the company can gain competitive advantage.

Solve Complex Problems

Solve challenges – Take in the myriad of complex business opportunities, challenges, and issues, develop workable solutions, and then successfully implement the chosen solution. Be data and customer focused – developing insights and driving actions off the back of well-defined KPIs Be proactively aware of technology changes – relative to KFC’s current and potential businesses. Innovative mindset – Position KFC to achieve world-class Digital capabilities and customer experience Balance priorities with constrained resources – balance the many priorities and conflicts inherent in an environment with aged technologies, a varied platform of existing Technology investments, high demand for new technologies, and constrained resources. Maintain a working knowledge of Technology – including: Understand Technology systems, data, and interfaces as used by franchisees interfacing with the Company and consumers; Identify and understand systems problems through regular and direct and indirect interaction with the systems users, employing feasibility studies and functionality Support customer targeting strategies to increase database growth and retention Develop high-engaged projects to leverage brand perception on consumers.

Working Relationships: The person in this position will interact with other functions within the Latin America & Caribbean team (Marketing, Operations, Development, Supply Chain, R&D/QA, Human Resources, and Finance) as well as KFC Global management (functional leadership, technical advice).  This position will interact with media agencies, consultants and will be a key influencer of Franchise Owners.  This position has 4 direct reports.

Knowledge and Skill Required: 

Bachelor’s degree in business (Finance, Marketing).   MBA a plus.  Experience running retail ecommerce channels, including deep knowledge of digital technology platforms, web and app development and technology operations.  Minimum 8-10 years of overall business experience, with at least 3 years in a consumer products company. A clear understanding of the P&L and working of a consumer-facing company Experience with brand, product, and digital management. QSR, Retail or Hospitality experience preferred.  Previous business and cultural experience in Latin America and Caribbean highly regarded.  Excellent project and budget management skills with ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.  Strong analytical skills with experience analyzing and interpreting moderately complex data. Experience in corporate and/or strategic planning is preferred. Excellent teamwork, interpersonal skills and ability to build team environment in order to achieve revenue, profit, and growth targets. Strong leadership, communications, influencing, and negotiation skills. Bilingual (English and Spanish) Required Portuguese Preferred.