Director, Product Innovation, Burger King, US & Canada

Overview

Restaurant Brands International Inc. 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 TIM HORTONS®, BURGER KING®, POPEYES®, and FIREHOUSE SUBS®. Through its Restaurant Brands for Good framework, RBI is improving sustainable outcomes related to its food, the planet, and people and communities.

RBI is committed to growing its brands by leveraging core values, employee and franchisee relationships, and long track records of community support.

Role Overview

Burger King is seeking a bold, consumer-obsessed Director of Product Innovation to lead menu innovation for the US & Canada markets. This role shapes 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.

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

• Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts, Food Science, Hospitality, 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 food service
• 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
• Prove…