Director – Product Development & Food Innovation (UK/EU/LAC)

Job Description Summary:

Supports Pizza Hut International, with accountability for assigned product development and food innovation programs across the UK, Europe, and Latin America/Caribbean. Pizza Hut operates more than 19,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries. This role supports the UK/EU/LAC Food Innovation COE and leads assigned regional product development programs, translating established product strategy into product development and commercialization plans and supporting product optimization and execution standards.

Responsibilities:

Product Strategy, Innovation Pipeline, and Commercialization

• Lead product development teams to translate established product strategy into product development and commercialization plans across the Pizza Hut pizza and sides portfolio, including new product innovation, product optimization, and concept-to-commercialization execution.

Regional Center of Excellence Support, Program Leadership, and Business Partnership

• Support the UK/EU/LAC Food Innovation COE and lead assigned regional product development programs, partnering with regional General Managers, CMOs, Menu Strategy, Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, and the Plano-based Food Excellence team to translate business needs into R&D roadmaps, troubleshoot ingredient solutions, optimize menu offerings, and deliver profitable innovation.

Global Menu Innovation, Taste Standards, and Execution Excellence

• Lead implementation of global menu innovations, including development of technical and sensory product attributes for local commercialization. Partner with Operations and Training to define in-restaurant procedures and standards that improve Taste scores, simplify execution for Team Members, and support consistent product quality.

People Leadership, Supplier Ecosystem, and Team Culture

• Coach, develop, and lead a team of approximately 4–5 Food Innovation team members based in London and Plano. Build an ecosystem of supplier partners and external subject matter experts while fostering creativity, collaboration, accountability, continuous learning, open communication, and idea-sharing.

People Leadership

• This position has people leadership responsibilities for approximately 5 employees, including leading, coaching, developing, and managing team members across the Food Innovation Center of Excellence to achieve business objectives.
• Estimated reporting scope: 5 total employees, primarily exempt/professional roles.

Working Relationships

Internal

• Regional General Managers and CMOs; Marketing; Menu Strategy; Operations and Training; Supply Chain; Engineering; Plano-based Food Excellence team; global Food leaders; key business partners and franchisee leaders.

External

• Franchise organizations; ingredient suppliers; supplier partners; external subject matter experts; sensory test sites and agencies; other external stakeholders as needed.

Required Qualifications:

Qualifications and Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Bakery Science, Food Engineering, or a related scientific discipline required; master’s degree in Food Science or related field preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive technical R&D leadership experience in a food-forward, multi-unit restaurant or retail brand, or CPG/manufacturing equivalent; 5+ years of people leadership experience.
• Deep technical product development expertise with strong business acumen, including experience leading product development programs from concept through commercialization and applying consumer-led innovation methodologies.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with dough systems, cheese/dairy, sauces, and meat toppings preferred, though not all are required. Must be able to work in the office, kitchen, and/or in market 4 days per week and travel as needed to cultivate and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

The posted salary range is the expected salary range for this position. Ultimately, in determining pay, we'll consider the successful candidate’s location, experience, and other job-related factors.