New Product Development Specialist Popeyes (6 months fixed-term contract) at RBI

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Restaurant Brands International Inc. is one of the world's largest quick service restaurant companies with nearly $45 billion in annual system-wide sales and over 32,000 restaurants in more than 120 countries and territories.

RBI owns four of the world's most prominent and iconic quick service restaurant brands – TIM HORTONS®, BURGER KING®, POPEYES®, and FIREHOUSE SUBS®. These independently operated brands have been serving their respective guests, franchisees and communities for decades. Through its Restaurant Brands for Good framework, RBI is improving sustainable outcomes related to its food, the planet, and people and communities.

RBI is committed to growing the TIM HORTONS®, BURGER KING®, POPEYES® and FIREHOUSE SUBS® brands by leveraging their respective core values, employee and franchisee relationships, and long track records of community support. Each brand benefits from the global scale and shared best practices that come from ownership by Restaurant Brands International Inc.

Job Overview:

As a New Product Development Specialist at Popeyes, you will be supporting the expansion of the Popeyes brand in Hungary with commercialization and localization of ingredients, end-to-end introduction of new products (e.g., seasonal Sandwiches) and enhancement of existing recipes (e.g., signature sauces).

The role involves extensive cooperation with internal stakeholders & suppliers. You will support the local implementation of Popeyes’ global standards by closely collaborating with the EMEA Head Office of the brand in Switzerland and liaising with local suppliers.

You will collect and analyze marketing and consumer insights data to ensure that the launch of the Popeyes brand in Hungary will be successful.

You will collect ideas, follow current food trends, identify innovation gaps within the brand, and translate them into new food items.

Location & work type: 

• The role can be based in Zug, Switzerland or Budapest, Hungary.
• Estimated 20 – 40% travel (1 – 2 weeks per month, primarily in Hungary, occasionally in Switzerland and other European countries).
• This is a temporary position for a fixed term of 6 months.

Your roles and responsibilities:

• Manage the development and launch of new and existing Popeyes products for the Hungarian market, from initial concept to sample screening, to market launch. 
• Support concept and product testing to provide consumer insights and validate innovation ideas.
• Develop network of partners and suppliers to support the localization process and bring new ideas for growth
• Guide suppliers and other external stakeholders on product innovation, product standards, and consumer testing.
• Act as a guardian for product standards and manage the product approval process.
• Collect & analyze marketing data and consumer behavior data.
• Lead and coordinate product approval process between RBI teams, Local Hungarian Franchisee team and the suppliers
• Coordinate cross-functional alignment with internal partners (e.g., Operations, Supply Chain, Quality Assurance) and work with external suppliers to bring products to market or resolve issues with existing products. 

Your skills & experience:

• 3-5 years of experience in new product development in a food manufacturing company, restaurant industry, or an FMCG company.
• Master’s or bachelor's degree, preferably in Food Science / Food Engineering / Nutrition.
• You are a food lover - creating recipes, cooking, and eating is one of your passions in life.
• You have a broad knowledge of current food trends & you follow food industry news.
• You have advanced problem-solving skills and analytical capabilities in complex situations.
• You can analyze marketing data and consumer behavior data.
• You have strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at higher levels internally and externally to impact significant business outcomes.
• You are fluent in English.

Benefits at all of our global offices are focused on physical, mental and financial wellness. We offer unique and progressive benefits, including a comprehensive global paid parental leave program that supports employees as they expand their families, free telemedicine and mental wellness support.

Restaurant Brands International and all of its affiliated companies (collectively, RBI) are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers that do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, provincial or federal laws, rules, or regulations. RBI's policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment. Accommodation is available for applicants with disabilities upon request.