Sr. Project Lead, Menu & Packaging

Chick-fil-A is seeking a Menu Sr. Project Lead to support and lead menu, team member simplification and equipment projects from initialization through launch. This individual must be a skilled communicator, display cross functional influence and leadership skills, and excel at project and process management. Projects will consist of new product development, menu simplification, new equipment, ingredients and procedural modifications to existing products. The Sr. Project Lead will support the Category Leaders on complex projects and lead individual projects with guidance from the Sr. Category Leader and Team Director. This person must be able to manage multiple projects simultaneously and work closely with cross-functional partners to ensure timelines and key deliverables are met. The Sr. Project Lead requires a high-level of critical thinking and decision making as they prepare for and lead rollout recommendations to leadership, inclusive of the Executive Committee. This individual requires a high-level of self-direction and a proactive mindset that can provide innovative solutions to drive business growth. This individual must be a skilled communicator, lead challenging and tense conversations with grace and authenticity, and have exceptional project management and facilitation skills.

Our Flexible Future model offers a healthy mix of working in person and virtually, strengthening key elements of the Chick-fil-A culture by fostering collaboration and community.

Project Management:

• Support menu and packaging development projects from initiation through launch
• Manage and lead projects effectively and professionally to ensure stakeholders are informed and supportive, and Restaurant Operator and customer expectations are met
• Support Principal Category Leaders, responsibilities include project scope development, category strategy and assessment recommendations, developing project timelines, supporting during project team meetings
• Develop internal and Operator facing communications and presentations
• Collaborate with cross functional partners on annual business planning and budget cycles to ensure initiatives are properly represented
• Exhibit strong people skills and the ability to accomplish work effectively in a multi-functional team environment

Strategy & Development:

• Assist with development of menu items needed for category growth and protect the quality, food safety and market share of each product within your portfolio
• In conjunction with the Principal Category Leader, Culinary Developer and Menu Strategy create a continuous pipeline of new innovations that could be implemented in the chain as menu additions, improvements or replacements
• Understands the relationship between supply chain, distribution, brand, advertising, food and restaurant process
• Manage cross-organizational expectations to evolve the menu strategy to meet the needs of the organization
• Work closely with Supply Chain group to understand preferred supplier capabilities
• Understand specifications and the specification system

Competence Development:

• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, benchmarking state-of-the-art practices, and participating in professional societies
• Actively explore trends to stay abreast of the trends in the marketplace
• Exhibit strong knowledge and awareness of historical and competitive marketplace
• Attend key design development and launch meetings
• Plan and lead the process to staff the menu functions with contract resources, external service providers, and internal staff members

• Exceptional communication & executive presence skills – written and verbal
• Ability to facilitate large group meetings, think critically, assess risks and tradeoffs, and execute plans
• Demonstrates ability to influence multiple levels across an organization
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills: highly collaborative with ability to build solid working partnerships across functional groups
• Analytical depth and technical expertise in project management, processes, systems and equipment interface
• Demonstrated expertise in the product development process
• Strong relational skills to enable interaction with partners, corporate management, Operators and Restaurant Team Members
• Exceptional planning, organizing and project management abilities
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Tools, Project Management Tools and Windows Operating Systems
• Strong desire to learn industry trends
• Sense of urgency and drive towards decisions
• Highly self-motivated and able to work both collaboratively as well as independently
• Bachelor’s Degree or 4-year college degree required
• Minimum Years of Experience: 5-6

• Experience leading work in product development, brand management, consumer packaged goods or related field.

• Restaurant experience (corporate or restaurant level). 

• Master's of Business Administration (MBA).