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.
THE TEAM
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.
ABOUT THE ROLE
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.
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) + 5 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.
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.
Retail Core Menu Manager 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 Retail Core Menu Manager in Woking
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like KFC UK & I - Marketing, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like KFC UK & I - Marketing!
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Core Menu Manager in Woking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at KFC UK & I - Marketing, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at KFC UK & I - Marketing and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show KFC UK & I - Marketing that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at KFC UK & I - Marketing
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
