Menu & Food Innovation Marketing Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

The Menu & Food Innovation Marketing Manager leads the end-to-end development and strategic execution of new menu items and culinary platforms for Pizza Hut Canada. This role combines consumer-centric innovation with operational and brand alignment to deliver compelling, differentiated food offerings that drive business results. The manager works closely with research agency teams and cross-functional stakeholders to identify opportunity areas, commercialize products, and ensure flawless go-to-market execution tailored to the Canadian guest.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Includes but is not limited to

• Identify whitespace opportunities, and unmet consumer needs to shape the national menu portfolio and food innovation pipeline.
• Monitor competitor landscape and menus to inform strategy and pipeline.
• Set the strategy by defining menu role, proposition and objectives. Ignite ideation, concept development, and business case creation for new menu platforms and products.
• Translate menu and innovation strategies into relevant, executable marketing solutions for the Canadian market, across various business objectives, both top and bottom line.
• Develop and deliver an annual innovation plan that supports brand growth and meets key business objectives.
• Provide menu & innovation strategy to R&D Manager to support their role in developing feasible products, building technical platforms, ensuring restaurant viability, and product readiness for execution.
• Collaborate with the Marketing Calendar Lead to align food innovation with broader campaign strategy and timing.
• Facilitate cross-functional workstreams with Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, QA, Tech, and Franchise Partners to ensure alignment and execution readiness.
• Present menu & food innovation strategies and product concepts to senior leadership and franchise advisory boards for feedback and approval.
• Represent the Canadian market in regional menu & food innovation forums and influence the roadmap based on local insights.
• Conduct market tests, analyze consumer feedback and performance data, and iterate based on findings.
• Monitor post-launch performance and support optimization initiatives based on operational, guest, and financial metrics.
• Partner with the Marketing Growth lead, R&D Manager and Supply Chain to identify and execute cost-saving product initiatives.
• Develop and manage a continuous pipeline of market tests, validating business objectives are met, before transitioning to market growth or calendar teams
• Support R&D Manager as direct report, providing leadership, coaching and development.
• Manage key vendor partner partnerships to ensure marketing, menu and innovation support is optimized

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business or related field.
• 7-10 years of experience in menu strategy and food innovation or product marketing (QSR or CPG preferred).
• Previous people-management experience with direct accountability for coaching, performance management and development of direct reports.
• Proven experience bringing concepts from idea to successful in-market activation within a cross-functional environment.
• Leadership skills with ability to lead a divergent group of operators, franchisees and senior management through influence and persuasion.
• Experience working with suppliers, commercial teams, and operations in a fast-paced business.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong understanding of QSR operations, product development processes, and retail marketing.
• Experience taking consumer insights and turning them into menu and innovation platforms that drive both brand relevance and business growth.
• Excellent communication and influence skills across cross-functional teams and leadership levels.
• Exceptional project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities on tight timelines.
• Balance of creative thinker while being consumer led, strategically grounded and commercially driven.
• Skilled in Microsoft Suite, including Excel and PowerPoint; PLM or spec management systems an asset.
• The posted salary range is the expected salary range for this position. Ultimately, indetermining pay, we'll consider the successful candidate’s location, experience, and other job-related factors.