At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative menu launches for KFC and Taco Bell across Europe.
- Company: Join Yum! Europe, a leader in the food service industry.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel opportunities and a focus on creativity and execution.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of food innovation and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: 6+ years in procurement or supply chain with strong project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
Yum! Europe is a part of One Yum! Supply Chain Centre of Excellence (COE), set up to support KFC and Taco Bell with one supply chain, one purpose and one bold goal: unmatched profitability for every restaurant. The COE works horizontally across brands, markets, functions, franchisees and suppliers to deliver safe, reliable and sustainable supply; improve restaurant paybacks; accelerate growth; and power brand strategies through world-class category management, supplier partnerships, data, governance and innovation execution.
Role purpose
Bring menu innovation to life at speed and scale. This role is the procurement and supply chain link between brand ambition and restaurant execution, helping KFC and Taco Bell launch customer-loved LTOs and innovation platforms across Europe. You will coordinate the supplier ecosystem, briefs, timelines, cost guardrails and readiness checks that turn great ideas into reliable, commercially strong launches. Lead procurement enablement for LTOs, innovation and commercialisation, ensuring product and packaging launches are supplier-ready, costed, governed and executable across European markets.
Responsibilities
- Act as the supply chain and procurement link across innovation calendars, LTO plans and brand commercialisation priorities.
- Coordinate Marketing, Food Innovation, FSQA, Operations, Finance, category teams, markets and suppliers to define supply requirements early.
- Launch supplier briefs for ingredients, packaging and product components, ensuring quality, food safety, sustainability, cost and capacity guardrails are clear.
- Run supplier engagement forums to access insights, co-create innovation and challenge suppliers to bring best-in-class execution.
- Build launch readiness plans, risk trackers, decision logs and escalation routes to support reliable market execution.
- Work with category leads to secure sourcing routes, pricing, MOQs, lead times, alternative suppliers and continuity plans for LTO components.
- Track commercial and operational performance of launches, capturing lessons that improve future speed, cost and reliability.
- Support portfolio prioritisation by making supply chain complexity, cost and risk visible in decision-making.
What success looks like
- Improved restaurant economics through validated savings, cost avoidance, payback improvement and total cost optimisation.
- Reliable execution for KFC and Taco Bell markets, with stronger supplier performance, fewer disruptions and clear issue ownership.
- LTO plans that are understood by brands, functions, franchisees and suppliers, and translated into practical delivery plans.
- A supplier ecosystem that brings innovation, resilience, quality, food safety, sustainability and competitive advantage to the business.
Qualifications
- 6+ years' experience in procurement, supply chain, food commercialisation, NPD, innovation, category management or project delivery.
- Experience supporting food, packaging or product launches in QSR, foodservice, FMCG, retail or manufacturing environments.
- Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage timelines, dependencies, actions and cross-functional decisions.
- Good understanding of supplier briefing, costing, capacity, food safety, quality and launch readiness requirements.
- Ability to balance creativity, speed, cost, operational simplicity and risk.
- Excellent stakeholder management across brand, market, supplier, operations, finance and technical teams.
- Confident escalating blockers and creating clarity in fast-moving, ambiguous innovation projects.
How you will work
- A natural organiser who brings pace and discipline without slowing innovation.
- Comfortable switching between creative brand conversations and detailed supplier execution.
- Focused on launches that work for customers, restaurants and franchisees.
- Working pattern: Hybrid role based from Woking, with European market, restaurant and supplier travel as required.
LTO Commercialisation and Innovation Lead in Woking employer: KFC
KFC in Washington, England, is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and a vibrant work culture. With benefits such as bonus potential, extra holiday, and staff discounts, we foster a supportive environment where passionate leaders can thrive and make a meaningful impact on both the team and guest experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land LTO Commercialisation and Innovation Lead in Woking
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like KFC.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace LTO Commercialisation and Innovation Lead in Woking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to KFC:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to KFC. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like KFC.
How to prepare for a job interview at KFC
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at KFC!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at KFC. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into KFC's culture.
