Who is Taco Bell?

Taco Bell was born and raised in California and has been around since 1962. We went from selling everyone’s favorite Crunchy Tacos on the West Coast to a global brand with 8,500+ restaurants, 350 franchise organizations, that serve 42+ million fans each week around the globe. We’re not only the largest Mexican-inspired quick service brand (QSR) in the world, we’re also part of the biggest restaurant group in the world: Yum! Brands.

Much of our fan love and authentic connection with our communities are rooted in being rebels with a cause. From ensuring we use high quality, sustainable ingredients to elevating restaurant technology in ways that hasn’t been done before… we will continue to be inclusive, bold, challenge the status quo and push industry boundaries.

We’re a company that celebrates and advocates for different, has bold self-expression, strives for a better future, and brings the fun while we’re at it. We fuel our culture with real people who bring unique experiences. We inspire and enable our teams and the world to Live Más.

At Taco Bell, we’re Cultural Rebels. Want to join in on the passion-fueled fun? Learn more about the career below.

About the Job:

Reporting to the Senior Manager of Innovation, the Product Development (PD) Manager is responsible for creating and developing new food products and ingredients for the Innovation pillar and other U.S. category teams. This role focuses on identifying, prototyping, and developing the next generation of game-changing product concepts, spending the majority of time ideating, testing, refining, and scaling products for national implementation across U.S. restaurants.

The PD Manager will lead and collaborate with cross-functional partners across Operations, Brand Marketing, Consumer Insights, Supply Chain, Finance, Supplier Partners, and Culinary to shape strategy and establish scalable development processes. The ideal candidate is highly creative and possesses strong commercialization and manufacturing knowledge, enabling the successful translation of innovative ideas into viable, market ready products.

This role manages at least one direct report responsible for leading projects from ideation through launch and is also accountable for directly leading programs from concept through commercialization.

The Day-to-Day:

• Inspire, create, and develop trend-setting food products from initial prototype through full commercialization, ensuring concepts meet consumer, operational, and financial objectives.

• Collaborate with Brand Marketing and Consumer Insights partners to deliver “new-to-the-world” innovation and breakthrough product concepts.

• Partner with Product Development Commercialization, Quality Assurance, and Food Safety teams to ensure products meet quality and safety standards and are thoroughly tested and validated.

• Participate in Product Development team working sessions, contributing ideas, building on concepts, and advancing prototypes through collaboration.

• Create and manage project timelines, proactively identifying risks and solving problems to ensure programs are delivered on schedule.

• Proactively identify and support the planning, design, and execution of product showings, development sessions, product evaluations, competitive assessments, and special events.

• Manage multiple suppliers and vendors by providing clear direction, actionable feedback, and defined next steps.

• Prepare and deliver clear, concise, and professional presentations in both written and verbal formats to large and diverse audiences.

• Lead and develop a team of one to two Product Developers, providing guidance, coaching, and oversight of projects from ideation through launch

Is This You?

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, chemistry, nutrition, culinary or related education is required

• 7+ years experience in one of the following areas:

Creative innovator working in food manufacturing product development

• Creative innovator working in culinary QSR/mid scale restaurants

• People management experience preferred

• Understand the workings of BOH equipment and operations of a commercial kitchen

• Solutions-orientated who can manage a fast-paced environment, handle multiple projects simultaneously and pivot as needed to meet deadlines

• Ability to inspire, engage, develop with a cross functional team

• Team player who can adapt to work efficiently with a wide range of people and styles

• Proficient in all Microsoft Office applications

Work-Hard, Play-Hard:

• Hybrid work schedule (onsite expectation Tues, Wed, Thurs) and year-round flex day Friday
• Onsite childcare through Bright Horizons
• Onsite dining center and game room (yes, there is a Taco Bell inside the building)
• Onsite dry cleaning, laundry services, carwash,
• Onsite gym with fitness classes and personal trainer sessions
• Up to 4 weeks of vacation per year plus holidays and time off for volunteering
• Generous parental leave for all new parents and adoption assistance program
• 401(k) with a 6% matching contribution from Yum! Brands with immediate vesting
• Comprehensive medical & dental including prescription drug benefits and 100% preventive care
• Discounts, free food, swag and… honestly, too many good benefits to name

Salary Range: ­­**$137,900** to $158,000 annually + bonus eligibility + benefits

The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we'll consider your location, experience, and other job-related factors.

At Taco Bell, we Live Más and invite you to do the same. Take a seat at our table. Bring your voice. Bring you, just as you are, a Cultural Rebel. We want you to be your best self!

Taco Bell is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to equity, inclusion, and belonging for all dimensions of diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, or any other protected characteristic.

Taco Bell is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities or special needs.

• US Job Seekers/Employees
• To view the "Know Your Rights" poster, click here. You may also access Taco Bell’s Pay Transparency Policy Statement.

Employment eligibility to work with Taco Bell in the U.S. is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for this position.

California Residents: For more information about the categories of personal information we collect from you and how we use, sell, and share that information, please see our Privacy Notice for California Employees here.