Head of Insights and Innovation
Key Skills
Job Description
As Head of Insights & Innovation, you will define and deliver KFC Netherlands’ long-term menu, portfolio and innovation strategy. Reporting to the Marketing Director, you will lead the Strategy & Innovation team and connect bold, consumer-led thinking with strong commercial execution. This is primarily a strategic leadership and team-enablement role. You will shape the innovation roadmap, menu architecture, value strategy and commercial calendar, while maintaining a strong understanding of operational delivery. Using consumer insight, local market trends and commercial data, you will guide decisions, challenge constructively and ensure the team can bring relevant food innovation from concept to launch. Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands Start Date: January 2027 Contract type: Permanent, full-time Responsibilities: Shape our growth strategy: Define and continuously evolve KFC Netherlands’ long-term innovation and portfolio strategy, annual roadmap, menu architecture and lifecycle plans. Lead the menu, value and commercial calendar: Set menu priorities, campaign sequencing and promotional architecture, balancing innovation, core menu and value to deliver long- and short-term objectives. Bring food innovation to life: Lead the Food Innovation & Technology agenda and oversee product development from concept to launch, including supplier collaboration, validation and restaurant testing. Turn insight into action: Translate consumer behaviour, market developments, competitor activity and emerging food trends into strategic recommendations and compelling business cases. Drive cross-functional alignment: Chair innovation governance and stage-gate processes, partnering with Brand, Digital, Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, European teams and external partners. Develop a high-performing team: Lead, coach and develop the Calendar Manager, FIT (Food Innovation & Technology) Lead and Junior FIT Manager, setting clear priorities, objectives and development plans. Own performance and improvement: Manage innovation and portfolio budgets, evaluate ROI and post-launch effectiveness, report performance to senior leadership and continuously improve how we manage the portfolio. Requirements: 5-8 years of experience in a commercial, strategy, innovation or portfolio role. Experience in food-focused FMCG, foodservice or QSR is strongly preferred; relevant retail or another consumer-led environment will also be considered. Proven experience defining innovation roadmaps, portfolio strategy, menu architecture or commercial calendars, and translating strategic direction into clear execution. Strong commercial and analytical capability, with the critical thinking to interpret consumer and performance data, see the bigger picture and turn insights into sound business decisions. Experienced people leadership experience, with a track record of guiding colleagues at different career stages, raising team capability and creating a collaborative, high-performing culture. Confidence influencing senior leaders, franchise stakeholders and cross-functional partners, while moving comfortably between strategic discussion and operational detail. A genuine interest in food, consumer behaviour and Dutch market trends, plus the learning agility to get up to speed quickly in a new environment. HBO-level education or equivalent relevant experience. English is essential; Dutch is preferred.
Core Responsibilities
Define KFC Netherlands’ long-term innovation and portfolio strategy, menu architecture, value approach, and commercial calendar, using consumer, market, and performance insights to guide decisions. Lead the Strategy & Innovation team and food innovation process from concept to launch, align cross-functional partners, and manage budgets, performance, and continuous improvement.
Requirements
Requires 5–8 years of relevant commercial, strategy, innovation, or portfolio experience, preferably in food-focused FMCG, foodservice, or QSR, with demonstrated experience in roadmaps, portfolio strategy, menu architecture, or commercial calendars. Candidates should bring strong analytical and commercial judgment, people leadership and stakeholder-influencing skills, an interest in food and Dutch market trends, and HBO-level education or equivalent experience; English is essential and Dutch is preferred.
About KFC
Industry: Restaurants
Company size: 10,001+ employees
We’re KFC. The iconic, brand making world-famous finger lickin’ good fried chicken since 1952. Our unrivaled people and culture are the true heart and soul of our brand. It’s where our people promise comes to life every day. Where our employees can be their best selves, make a difference, and have fun — serving chicken and delighting customers at more than 34,000 restaurants in 150+ countries and territories around the world. There’s room for all people and voices at our table. Pull up a chair. At the center of our restaurant system is the KFC Global division, which serves as our global Restaurant Support Center (RSC) headquartered in Dallas, TX. Here, we support our regional in-market teams, franchise business partners, and nearly one million team members who serve up our delicious fried chicken around the world. We’re redefining what the future of work looks like. Our 15 business units partner to develop strategies, tools, and best practices for success. KFC Global offers a hybrid work environment — trusting our people to work their best way, whether in the office or at home. No matter your role or function, everyone works with teams from across the globe to drive our shared vision — sharing the joy of our best-tasting fried chicken with the world. No matter how or when you connect with us, KFC will be making the best chicken, hands down, for generations to come. In addition to our growing global footprint, as a subsidiary of Yum! Brands (NYSE: YUM), we also get to collaborate on exciting projects with our sister brands, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and The Habit Burger Grill. All you have to do is bring it. Bring your individuality to the table. Bring your passion and grit. We’re all about our people. The Originals. Their ideas, stories, and unique contributions make us who we are. And we want you to be part of it.