Role Overview

Burger King is seeking a bold, consumer-obsessed Director of Product Innovation & Strategy (Beef) to lead menu innovation for the US & Canada markets. This role is responsible for shaping the future of the Burger King menu from ideation through commercialization while honoring brand heritage, operational excellence, and evolving guest expectations.

A core focus of this role will be beef innovation, including stewardship of the Whopper®, Burger King’s most iconic platform, and its current and future iterations. The Director will ensure Burger King continues to lead in flame-grilled beef through craveable, differentiated, and operationally executable innovation.

RBI follows a 5 day, in-office work schedule to support collaboration. Successful candidates will be expected to work onsite 5 days per week out of our Miami, FL office location.

Key Responsibilities

Product Innovation & Strategy (Beef Category)

• Lead end-to-end culinary innovation for Burger King US & Canada, including new product development, LTOs, core menu evolution, and platform innovation for all beef products

• Translate consumer insights, food trends, and cultural moments into winning menu concepts that elevate flame-grilled beef and reinforce Burger King’s leadership in burgers

• Manage a robust innovation pipeline across beef with a clear point of view on when to protect, stretch, or reinvent iconic products

Beef & Whopper® Platform Leadership

• Serve as the culinary steward of the Whopper®, ensuring all iterations deliver on taste, quality, value, and brand relevance

• Lead development of new Whopper® builds, flavor profiles, formats, and limited-time offers, while protecting the integrity of the core Whopper®

• Partner with Supply Chain and QA to drive continuous improvement in beef patty performance, flame-grill quality, and ingredient specifications

• Explore innovation across premium, value, customization, and cultural flavors within the Whopper® and broader beef portfolio

Product Development & Commercialization

• Oversee product development from concept creation through kitchen validation, supplier readiness, and national launch

• Partner with Operations and Supply Chain to ensure beef innovations are executable at scale across franchised and company-owned restaurants

• Balance creativity with speed, cost, food safety, and operational simplicity

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Serve as the Beef Expert and thought leader for US & Canada, collaborating with Marketing on Whopper® storytelling, positioning, and launch strategies

• Influence franchise partners and advisory councils by clearly articulating the “why” behind beef and burger innovation

• Present concepts, tastings, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership

Brand & Consumer Focus

• Champion Burger King’s brand DNA while pushing bold, flame-grilled, beef-forward innovation

• Ensure Whopper® and beef innovations reflect regional preferences, cultural relevance, and evolving consumer expectations

Team Leadership & Capability Building

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing culinary innovation team

• Build deep internal expertise around beef, burgers, and flame-grilling excellence

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts, Food Science, Hospitality, or Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, Food Science or related field (advanced degree a plus)

• 10+ years of progressive experience in culinary innovation, menu development, or R&D—preferably within manufacturing or large-scale foodservice.

• Demonstrated success leading beef or burger-centric innovation at national scale

• Strong understanding of franchised restaurant operations, supply chain constraints, and cost management is a plus

• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and franchise partners

• Experience leading teams in a matrixed organization

Key Competencies

• Deep passion for burgers and beef-forward innovation

• Strategic, brand-minded culinary leadership

• Strong commercial and operational acumen

• Executive presence with the ability to tell a compelling food and brand story

• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, highly visible environment

• Expected travel of up to 40%