Director - Strategy & innovation

When our square shaped burgers made their first sizzle on the scene more than 50 years ago, people knew our approach wasn’t like any other. Same goes for the way we support our employees. Our culture of openness, flexibility, and inclusiveness allows everybody to flourish in their own way. If you’re looking for a career where you can be part of the action as we continue to grow our iconic brand - We got you!

This strategic role focuses on driving innovation throughout Wendy’s operations to bring the brand promise to life. By leveraging strong leadership and change management skills, this leader will guide the organization to a future-oriented operating model that fosters growth in SRS, Share, Traffic, and Profit.

With a Strategic Thinking mindset, this role involves leading cross-functional projects, collaborating with subject matter experts within Wendy’s, and utilizing industry resources to identify, test, refine, and implement innovative initiatives that streamline and enhance the restaurant operations model. This leader will leverage knowledge from both inside and outside the industry to identify opportunities and mitigate risks. This leader will spearhead innovation projects, automation, and process improvements, owning the strategy for the Model of Excellence and the tactics to implement it across the restaurant system. Location preference is Dublin, OH; will consider a remote candidate.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy Development: Partner in the development and implementation of innovative operations strategies to drive growth and competitive advantage. Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of strategic initiatives and adjust as necessary.
• Innovative Mindset: Champion a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. Lead initiatives to develop and implement innovative solutions to business challenges. Oversee the lifecycle of innovation projects from ideation to implementation.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Foster a collaborative environment across various departments to drive innovation and efficiency. Ensure alignment of strategic initiatives with overall business objectives.
• Critical Thinking: Critically evaluate the feasibility and ROI of initiatives; Identify and mitigate risks of associated new projects.
• Problem Solving: Identify inefficiencies within current operations and develop innovative solutions to streamline processes. This includes leveraging technology and automation to enhance productivity and reduce costs.
• Decisive Decision Making: Making informed, strategic decisions that align with Wendy’s overall vision and goals. This involves balancing short-term needs with long-term objectives and being prepared to make tough calls when necessary.

Additional Responsibilities

• Leads Restaurant Services and Field Operations teams in the discovery, design, development, and proof of concept of new systems and processes that simplify operations, improve the consistency of operational performance, and positively impact restaurant economics.
• Develops strategy for change management & implementation of key initiatives that reshape the brand. Examples include The Model Restaurant, Project REM Evolution, Innovation, Automation.
• Refines and continually improves existing operating model systems, processes and procedures that simplify operations and positively impact profitability & the customer experience.
• Leverages vendor and industry relationships to maintain an understanding of innovation trends and opportunities with technology, equipment, etc.
• Provides on-going thought leadership and engagement cross functionally and with field operations, franchise partners on operating model initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Business, restaurant management, or a related field is preferred.
• 7 years of Director expertise including operations leadership, leading change, change management, and overall communication and field engagement strategies.
• Project management experience & proficiency with project portfolio management templates, tools, & processes. Agile or Six Sigma certifications preferred.
• Proven track record of quantitative analytical skills and problem solving that drives innovative solutions to complex situations through collaboration with a variety of cross functional stakeholders.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey ideas and information to diverse audiences, including cross-functional teams and senior leadership.
• Expertise in managing and leading change initiatives to improve processes, streamline operations, and enhance customer experience.
• Strong decision-making skills with the ability to analyze complex situations and make informed, timely decisions that enhance operational performance and restaurant economics.
• Strong ability to work collaboratively and influence with cross-functional teams to achieve common goals and drive organizational success.

“Wendy’s was built on the premise, "Quality is our Recipe®," which remains the guidepost of the Wendy's system. Today, Wendy's and its franchisees employ hundreds of thousands of people across more than 7,000 restaurants worldwide with a vision of becoming the world's most thriving and beloved restaurant brand.

The base pay range for this position is listed below. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and budget for the open position and also may vary depending on the candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, among other relevant factors. This range does not include an estimated value for any benefits, bonus, or other incentives that may be applicable based on position. * The target annual bonus for this role is 25% of annualized base salary, based on actual company and personal performance.

Our square burgers make us different and so do our benefits! Our restaurant support roles are eligible for a wide array of benefits, including things such as parental leave, free EAP sessions, company 401k match and other great offerings. For more details about our benefits, including an overview of eligibility and terms for certain benefits, please visit our benefits website, www.wendysbenefits.com.*

NOTE: Wendy’s benefits, bonus, and other incentives are governed by the applicable legal plans and policies and, where appropriate, may be subject to Board approval an individual award agreement terms. Those documents supersede all other information regarding Wendy’s benefits, bonus, and other incentives. Wendy’s retains the right to amend or terminate its plans and policies at its sole discretion, in accordance with applicable plans, policies and laws.”

Education: High School Diploma/GED

Travel: 25%

Pay Range: $142,000 - $256,000 Annually