Retail Marketing Specialist at Yum! Brands

Own and deliver a seamless omni-channel guest journey by leading merchandising strategy, POP execution, and go-to-market delivery across KFC Canada’s marketing calendar. This role drives cross-functional alignment, leverages insights and testing to optimize performance, and ensures consistent, high-impact execution across all channels and restaurants.

Education/Certifications:

• You will be required to attend theKFC Canada office in Vaughan, ON - Tuesdays & Thursdays in-office + one Wednesday per month for collab week.
• University degree in Marketing or Business and a minimum of three years’ experience in Marketing and/or advertising with a leading retailer, QSR or packaged goods organization/ agency in the restaurant industry.

Experience:

This role must have:

• Proficient in MS Office (Word/ Excel/ Powerpoint)
• Excellent organizational skills, ability to multi-task with several priorities and thrive on a fast-paced team
• Strong analytical skills and an ability to turn insights into action driven results
• Strong verbal and written communication and presentation skills

We’d prefer this role to have:

• A collaborative mindset with the ability to lead a divergent group of operators, franchisees and senior management through influence and persuasion
• Ambitious, self-starter attitude, with a hunger to learn, grow and challenge the status quo
• Bilingual (French, written and verbal) would be considered an asset

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) or other job-related materials up to 25 pounds / 11 kilograms
• Regular communication (in-person, virtual meetings, phone, email)

Travel:

• This role requires domestic and/or international travel 10% of the time.

What makes KFC a great place to work?Our People. We invest in people capability above all else, with a proven track record of developing internal talent to leadership levels across the business both in Canada and globally. We hire and develop people who lead with Smart, Heart and Courage to make a big impact on the business today and grow into leaders of the future.

Our Culture. We are known for a culture that rewards and recognizes bold results and promises everyone a seat at our table. We focus on your personal development as much as your professional development to ensure you can bring your best self to work.

Why you’ll love working here

• Hybrid work model (2–3 days per week in office)
• Paid vacation and personal days, plus 10 paid KFC Canada holidays in addition to statutory holidays.
• Comprehensive health and dental benefits, including HSA and PSA options that allow you to personalize your coverage, plus life insurance and disability coverage, with employer-paid premiums
• Family-inclusive Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and virtual care
• Paid parental leave with salary top-up
• RRSP and DPSP retirement programs with employer matching
• Annual tuition reimbursement program
• Employee referral rewards
• And so much more!

Additional Information

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

We thank all applicants for their interest in joining KFC Canada; however, only those selected for further screening will be contacted. Applicants are assessed based on skills and experience relevant to the role. Canadian experience is not required.

KFC Canada is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where everyone feels they belong. In accordance with applicable laws, we are committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment and selection process to meet the needs of applicants. If you require accommodation at any stage of the hiring process, please let us know.

The expected salary range for this role is $79,000 to $90,000 CAD. Final compensation will be based on factors such as skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.

KFC Canada uses artificial intelligence (AI)–enabled tools to support certain aspects of the recruitment process, including application screening and assessment, in accordance with applicable legislation. All final hiring decisions are made by human decision-makers.

• Own the design and delivery of a modern, end-to-end guest journey leading an omni-channel merchandising strategy aligned to annual marketing priorities and brand calendars.
• Lead planning and execution of all point-of-purchase (POP) programs across KFC restaurants, partnering with internal teams and external vendors to ensure flawless in-market execution while driving cost efficiencies through a national POP audit framework.
• Serve as the go-to-market owner for calendar execution, leading Brand Builder forums and managing window deliverables such as PAF, POS and related executional requirements are completed on time.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration with Finance, Training, Operations, and Supply Chain to deliver robust post-promotion analysis (PPA) identifying insights to optimize future launches.
• Support concept testing and market research recommendations to inform core marketing initiatives and innovation launches ensuring learnings are actioned into execution.
• Brief, manage, and partner with agency teams to develop, validate, and deliver consumer-led insights, product research, and creative that show up powerfully and consistently in-market.