Director of Core Product & Process Innovation

Build a Bigger, Better, Bolder Future:Imagine working for a company that measures its success based off the growth of its colleagues, a company that invests in its future by investing in you. Little Caesars is a company where our colleagues make an impact.
Your Mission:Leads innovation initiatives specific to product, equipment and processes that simplify operations, create labor savings and/or improve consistency of product and procedure execution at the restaurant level. Analyzes processes and data to identify innovation opportunities. Collaborates with industry leaders to identify, scale and commercialize potential solutions. Leads planning, execution and building of a business case to substantiate the innovation or capture learnings to apply to future projects.
How You’ll Make an Impact:Subject Matter Expert in the Bakery Industry. Subject Matter Expert in restaurant Operations, Little Caesars Operations is a plus. Leads analysis of restaurant operations time motion data to identify and solve for simplification, labor savings and improvement to consistency of product and execution processes. Initiates projects by developing sell-in model and presentation, presenting to leadership to gain approval and alignment on success metrics. Collaborates with Operations, Suppliers, Finance, Franchisees, Equipment, and Development to deliver economically viable solutions that impact the restaurants by reducing labor hours and increasing bottom line operating income. Develops and recommends suppliers and manufacturers for new and existing product, ingredients, restaurant equipment, and supplier’s production equipment/lines.Leads project management and development of project test plan, scale up and commercialization with clearly identified key metrics and decision gates associated with business case development. Proactively engages with the bakery industry through networking, industry conferences, supplier visits, trade shows and trade journals to continually build and evolve knowledge.Actively engaged in day to day planning, operations and testing execution in the bakery pilot plant and production plant(s) in support of approved projects.Collaborates with Consumer Research to ensure consumer validation of product associated with process, equipment and/or production line changes. Key metrics identified, communicated and aligned upon at the beginning of the project with leadership updates at key decision points throughout the business case development. Develops product and process specifications.Works in Little Caesar Restaurants to continue to be an expert in the operations side of the business.
Who You Are:Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in Bakery Science, Food Science or Food Engineering,15+ years of bakery research and development and/or bakery operations work experience. Supplemental experience in restaurant R&D, QSR preferred.Extensive experience in product/process analysis, design and commercialization required.Bakery pilot and production plant experience specific to design, operations and testing required.Proven experience in data analysis and statistical evaluation.Knowledge and experience of directing product development processes and consumer testing.Ability to formulate bakery products in written form to produce food specifications.Ability to work with food and operate food processing equipment in restaurant environment.Ability to work any position in Little Caesar restaurant.
Where You’ll Work:Works in R&D/Innovation office and test kitchen. Field work in manufacturing plants.Travel by car or airplane to stores and various locations (domestic and globally) for supplier visits/tours, ideation sessions, field food product testing, competition research and company business conference.

Why This Role Is a Great Opportunity

The position of Director of Core Product & Process Innovation at Little Caesars Pizza offers a unique chance to influence the future of a leading brand in the fast-food industry. With the company's commitment to growth and development, you will have the opportunity to lead groundbreaking innovations that contribute directly to the company's success. This role is not just about maintaining the status quo; it's about driving substantial changes that can shape the industry.

Joining Little Caesars Pizza as a Director in this capacity means you will be at the forefront of strategic initiatives. This position offers substantial career growth potential as you leverage your expertise to implement new processes and product innovations. Your contributions will not only enhance operational efficiency but also improve customer satisfaction, positioning Little Caesars as a pioneer in the fast-food sector.

Key Skills You Need to Succeed

• Innovation Leadership: Ability to lead and inspire teams towards creative solutions and new product development.
• Data Analysis: Proficient in analyzing complex data sets to identify trends and opportunities for innovation.
• Project Management: Skilled in managing multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely and successful execution.
• Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with industry leaders and internal teams.
• Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with tools like R and REST to enhance product and process improvements.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to think strategically about product development and process innovation to drive the company forward.

Tips to Get Hired for This Role

To increase your chances of being hired as the Director of Core Product & Process Innovation at Little Caesars Pizza, make sure your resume highlights your experience in leading innovation projects. Tailor your resume to emphasize your skills in data analysis, project management, and team collaboration. Provide specific examples of past projects where you successfully implemented innovative solutions.

Prepare thoroughly for the interview by researching Little Caesars' current product offerings and identifying areas where you see potential for improvement. Be ready to discuss how your vision aligns with the company's goals. Practice articulating your strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, demonstrating how you can contribute to the company's mission of simplifying operations and enhancing product consistency.

Finally, don't underestimate the power of showcasing your passion for the food industry and your commitment to fostering a culture of innovation. Little Caesars values employees who are not only skilled but also enthusiastic about making a significant impact in the fast-food domain.