At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape KFC's core menu strategy and drive growth through customer insights.
- Company: Join KFC, a beloved brand serving communities since 1939.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, early finishes, generous holiday, and 25% off chicken!
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values your unique perspective.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on one of the UK's most iconic brands.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail marketing or commercial strategy is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 9.9 - 12.1 £ per hour.
Welcome to KFC. Home of the real ones. We sell the world’s best chicken. Seriously. And we’ve done it since 1939, when the idea of crispy, original recipe chicken took Kentucky by storm. Now, we’re proud to serve 1000+ communities across the UK and Ireland, bringing the grit, pride and iconic reputation that we started with, all those years ago.
Across the Restaurant Support Centre (RSC), we come to work to be ourselves, and to make something of ourselves. We want to see our potential go that little bit further, as part of one of the world’s most iconic brands.
Our Marketing team is a 50-strong crew of bold thinkers, culture shapers and creative doers - from Brand and Digital to Strategy, Food Quality and Innovation. We’re here to keep KFC at the heart of culture across the UK & Ireland, blending our iconic roots with fresh, fearless ideas that connect with real people. We don’t just make ads - we build love, drive growth, and stay one step ahead of what’s next.
At KFC, our core menu is the heart of our business. It's what millions of customers come back for time and time again, and we're looking for someone to make sure it stays that way. We’re looking for a commercially minded Retail Core Menu Manager to shape the future of KFC's most important products across the UK & Ireland.
This isn't just about managing a menu. It's about understanding what customers want, spotting commercial opportunities and turning insight into action. You'll own the strategy behind our core menu, from ranging and pricing through to merchandising and how our products show up across every customer touchpoint, whether that's kiosk, drive-thru, front counter or delivery.
Working closely with Commercial, Finance, Operations, Food Innovation, Digital and Consumer Insights, you'll help make sure our core menu is simple for our restaurant teams, exciting for our customers and delivers sustainable commercial growth.
If you love using data to solve problems, enjoy influencing stakeholders and want to make a real impact on one of the UK's most iconic brands, we'd love to hear from you.
WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING
- Core Menu Strategy: Own the commercial strategy for KFC's core menu, using customer insight, market trends and performance data to drive growth, improve profitability and keep our menu relevant.
- Pricing, Ranging & Portfolio Optimisation: Lead decisions around menu architecture, pricing, product ranging and portfolio reviews, making sure we’re offering the right products, at the right price, in the right places.
- Customer Experience & Merchandising: Shape how our menu comes to life across every customer touchpoint, from kiosks and drive-thrus to delivery and restaurants. You’ll work to improve navigation, product visibility, conversion and average transaction value.
- Cross-Functional Leadership: Partner with teams across Marketing, Commercial, Finance, Operations, Digital and Consumer Insights to turn data into commercially successful action, building alignment and driving continuous improvement.
WHAT WE'D LOVE FROM YOU
- Experience in retail marketing, category management, commercial strategy or a similar commercial role.
- Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to use data and customer insight to drive decisions.
- Experience managing product portfolios, pricing, ranging or merchandising strategies.
- Confidence working across multiple stakeholders in a fast-paced, multi-site or consumer-facing business.
- A proactive, delivery-focused mindset with the ability to balance strategy and execution.
- Experience within restaurants, retail, FMCG or franchise businesses would be a real advantage, but isn't essential.
ABOUT YOU
You're naturally curious and commercially minded. You enjoy understanding why customers behave the way they do and using insight to make better decisions. You're equally comfortable analysing performance data, challenging thinking and collaborating with cross-functional teams to make things happen. Most importantly, you love seeing your work make a real difference to customers and business performance.
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU:
We offer benefits that make your life that little bit easier, because we know the juggle is real. From flexible, hybrid working to Fri-Yay early finishes and Live Well Days, we’ve created a package that supports the real you, in and out of work.
- Hybrid working from our Woking RSC (just 24 mins from London). Our Marketing team come into the office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays every week.
- Up to 11% company pension contributions.
- Fri-Yay finishes at 1pm every Friday.
- 25 days’ holiday (plus bank hols) a5 Live Well Days a year, just for you.
- Bonus scheme linked to company & personal performance.
- Private healthcare, Digital GP access & mental health coaching.
- Enhanced parental leave and flexible return options.
- Study support, income protection, life cover & more.
- And yes - 25% off the chicken.
Because real ones deserve real rewards.
THE ROAD TO BECOMING A REAL ONE...
Intro call with our Talent Team, Virtual call with Hiring Manager + another marketeer, F2F interview & Task at our HQ, Home of The Real Ones in Woking.
KFC FOR EVERYONE:
Whoever you are and wherever you’re from, KFC is a place where you can bring the real you to work. Our promise is this: every person who applies to a role at KFC, regardless of age, background, ethnicity, gender, ability, religion or sexual orientation, will have an equal opportunity to work here. We don’t just welcome, we encourage applications from underrepresented groups from all industries.
If you’d like any additional support with your application, have a disability or condition that may affect your performance during the recruitment process, or have any other requirements — just let us know. We’ll be there to help you be the real you.
Ready? We hope so, if you’re ready to be part of our community, now’s the time to apply. Worried you aren’t ticking all the boxes? Don’t - we’d still love to hear from you.
Brand Manager (Retail Core Menu) in Woking employer: KFC UK & I - Marketing
KFC UK&I is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, where creativity and collaboration thrive. As a Brand Manager for Ireland, you will have the opportunity to lead impactful marketing campaigns while enjoying a hybrid work environment that promotes work-life balance. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, KFC offers unique advantages such as training programmes and career progression opportunities, making it an ideal place for those passionate about bold marketing and brand growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Brand Manager (Retail Core Menu) in Woking
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for KFC UK & I - Marketing and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like KFC UK & I - Marketing are looking for.
✨Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with KFC UK & I - Marketing on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at KFC UK & I - Marketing. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Brand Manager (Retail Core Menu) in Woking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit KFC UK & I - Marketing. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of KFC UK & I - Marketing:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about KFC UK & I - Marketing’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at KFC UK & I - Marketing
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at KFC UK & I - Marketing will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At KFC UK & I - Marketing, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.
