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Menu Strategy and Innovation ManagerFish Recruit • Vaughan, Ontario, Canada
Menu Strategy and Innovation Manager

Menu Strategy and Innovation Manager

Fish Recruit • Vaughan, Ontario, Canada
6 days ago
Job type
  • Full-time
Job description
At the company, we're building the future of our menu. This role is responsible for defining and bringing our menu strategy to life—balancing modernization of our core menu, identifying future growth opportunities, and developing innovation products that unlock new occasions and drive profitable growth.

Reporting to the Director of Strategy & Insights, this role sits at the intersection of consumer insight, commercial strategy, product development, and marketing. You will lead cross-functional teams to shape the future of the company menu, evaluate emerging whitespace opportunities, and manage new product development from concept through commercialization. Success in this role requires equal parts strategic thinking, commercial acumen, consumer obsession, and exceptional cross-functional leadership – of course paired with an obsession for Finger Lickin’ Good food innovation!

The successful candidate will be a balance between a commercially driven business professional, a consumer-focused marketing leader and a strong project manager, ideally with experience in QSR or CPG.

Key Responsibilities

Menu Strategy & Modernization
  • Lead the development and execution of the company's menu strategy, ensuring our menu remains relevant, competitive and aligned to evolving consumer needs.
  • Develop long-term modernization plans for the core menu, identifying opportunities to improve guest relevance, simplify the menu, strengthen value perception and drive profitable growth.
  • Partner closely with Food Innovation & Technology (FIT), Operations, Supply Chain, Finance and Marketing to bring menu strategy to life. Look forward to getting your hands dirty in our test kitchen, partnering closely with our FIT (R&D) team to taste & provide feedback on new products regularly!

Whitespace Growth Strategy
  • Identify and assess whitespace opportunities beyond today's core business to develop strategic recommendations for entering new occasions, categories and growth platforms
  • Build business cases supported by consumer insights, financial analysis, operational feasibility and competitive intelligence as you lead early-stage concept development and validation to inform future growth decisions.

Consumer-Led Strategy & Commercial Planning
  • Champion a consumer-first approach by leveraging research, analytics and market trends to shape menu & product development decisions.
  • Translate insights into clear commercial strategies that balance consumer demand, operational feasibility and financial viability.
  • Partner across the business to ensure menu priorities align with brand strategy and long-term growth objectives.

Cross-Functional Leadership
  • Lead complex, cross-functional product initiatives from strategy through commercialization.
  • Build strong partnerships across Marketing, Operations, FIT, Supply Chain, Finance, Consumer Insights and external agencies.
  • Develop project plans, governance, risk mitigation and stakeholder communication to ensure successful delivery.

Strategic Partnerships
  • Identify, evaluate and prioritize partnership opportunities that strengthen the innovation pipeline in service of the company business & brand objectives. Own the end-to-end identification, negotiation, and execution of strategic innovation partnerships.

People Leadership
  • Coach and develop direct reports to lead innovation pipeline execution by providing clear direction and opportunities for growth.
  • Foster a collaborative, high-performing team culture built on curiosity, accountability and continuous improvement.

Key Qualifications
  • Education/Certifications Required: Post-Secondary degree in Marketing, Business, or related field
  • Experience Track record of developing strategy and launching successful product innovations, ideally in either QSR or CPG Strategic marketer with a strong commercial mindset and passion for building consumer-centric growth strategies. Experience leading menu strategy, innovation, product marketing or commercialization within QSR, CPG or retail. Demonstrated success leading complex cross-functional initiatives from strategy through execution. Experience developing business cases, evaluating growth opportunities and influencing senior stakeholders. Experience managing external partnerships or strategic business relationships is considered a strong asset. Excellent project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Strong analytical capabilities with an understanding of financial drivers, operational considerations and commercial trade-offs. Proven ability to coach and develop others while fostering collaboration across teams. Comfortable navigating ambiguity and turning strategic opportunities into actionable business plans.
Working Conditions

General work conditions
  • Full-time hours
  • Standard office environment (clean, well-lit, temperature-controlled)
  • Work typically performed at a desk/computer workstation
  • Access to necessary technology and equipment (laptop, software, etc.)
  • Safe working conditions, including policies for harassment and violence prevention
  • Access to workplace accommodations under the Human Rights Code
  • Meal and rest breaks in accordance with ESA

Job demands
  • Requires extended periods of sitting and computer use
  • Occasional lifting of office materials (e.g., files or supplies up to 10 lbs)
  • Regular communication (in-person, virtual meetings, phone, email)

Travel
  • This role requires domestic and/or international travel 10% of the time.
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Menu Strategy and Innovation Manager • Vaughan, Ontario, Canada

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