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
Restaurant Brands International Inc. (“RBI”) is one of the world's largest quick service restaurant companies with nearly $45 billion in annual system-wide sales and over 32,000 restaurants in more than 120 countries and territories. RBI owns four of the world's most prominent and iconic quick service restaurant brands – TIM HORTONS®, BURGER KING®, POPEYES®, and FIREHOUSE SUBS®. These independently operated brands have been serving their respective guests, franchisees and communities for decades. Through its Restaurant Brands for Good framework, RBI is improving sustainable outcomes related to its food, the planet, and people and communities.
RBI’s principal executive offices are in Miami, Florida. In North America, RBI’s brands are headquartered in their home markets where they were founded decades ago: Canada for Tim Hortons and the U.S. for Burger King, Popeyes and Firehouse Subs.
