Principal Program Lead, International Restaurant Experience

The primary responsibility for the International Restaurant Experience (IRE) team is to help preserve and protect the Chick-fil-A brand while entering and operating in countries outside of the United States. The particular areas of focus are menu, packaging, service & hospitality, as well as, back of house kitchen equipment and systems.

The primary role for the International Restaurant Experience (IRE) Program Leader will be to liaison with local teams outside of the United States on the planning and execution of any modifications related to the restaurant experience.

For changes initiated from the United States, they will lead in the development, adaptation, and validation of the capability. For those changes initiated at the local level, they will ensure changes comply with Chick-fil-A restaurant experience standards and ensure alignment with any necessary partners at the Support Center (Atlanta).

This position will also serve as the internal/Support Center communications lead for all elements of IRE related to restaurants outside North America. Additionally, this position will provide oversight for IRE disciplines that require ongoing attention and review once we begin operating outside North America.

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.

• Serve as chief liaison with Chick-fil-A local teams outside North America on the roll out strategy of all approved changes related to the Restaurant Experience. Includes but is not limited to menu items, service design elements, packaging changes and new food preparation equipment/processes.
• Responsible for the adaption, development and validation of all restaurant experience changes that are initiated from the Support Center (Atlanta).
• Ensure restaurant experience changes initiated at the local level meet Chick-fil-A standards. Including collaboration/alignment with US based partners as necessary.
• Responsible creating/maintaining/storing all IRE critical files related to international markets outside North America to ensure consistent and clear communication to internal business partners
• Oversight for IRE functions that require ongoing monitoring and updating
• Lead/direct work with US based suppliers (directly and/or consulting with Supply Chain and Culinary & Commercialization) on any issues concerning quality, specification compliance, reliability, warranty, invoice discrepancy, etc.
• Develop and track IRE Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• 6+ years of relevant business experience
• 4+ years of experience in restaurant industry, with working knowledge of culinary/food science, supply chain and/or hospitality industry disciplines
• Experience developing and executing effective project plans (change management) with strong attention to details and process flows.
• Capacity to influence and lead cross-functionally without positional power
• Strong communication skills to present to senior leadership and work effectively with internal & external international business partners
• Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple projects, and shift priorities based on business demands.
• Commitment to maintain and guard confidential proprietary company information as appropriate.
  
  

• Experience partnering with domestic and international business partners
• Multi-cultural experience or strong passion to explore and understand cultures in selected international markets that are a focus for Chick-fil-A
• Knowledge of Chick-fil-A’s food preparation procedures & quality standards, restaurant hospitality expectations, supplier quality standards and restaurant food safety practices
• Strong awareness of Chick-fil-A’s U.S. business support structure with an in-depth knowledge of people resources associated with & processes that are related to Chick-fil-A’s international growth