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! 

Overview: Leads Insights/Analytics in support of Wendy’s consumer-facing offerings:  Menu strategy, innovation pipeline, and value/promotional offerings.  Directs development and execution of initiatives, leveraging consumer insights, sensory research, and forecasting tools to deliver craveable, operationally feasible products. Oversees research processes, toolkit development, and capability building to ensure data-driven decisions that optimize menu performance and align with brand positioning.

Menu and Innovation Insights

• Guide consumer strategy for menu and promotional activities, including innovation pipeline, core menu optimization, and partnerships/collaborations.
• Lead end-to-end research processes with standardized testing protocols (stimuli, questionnaires, success criteria, regionality), sequencing (ideation, naming, concept, positioning, sensory), and reporting (templates, metrics, benchmarks).

Toolkit Optimization

• Evolve current suite of research tools to enable greater agility, impact, and measurement.
• Establish always-on qualitative research and data democratization (dashboards, self-serve tools, training).
• Build and operationalize knowledge-management systems.
• Develop pillar forecasting and partnership evaluation capabilities.

Organizational Leadership

• Inspire, develop, and lead a team of Insights professionals. Manage financial and human resources to maximize quality and impact.  Foster a culture of curiosity, rigor, innovation, and continuous improvement
• Serve on Insights & Innovation leadership team.
• Partner with senior leaders in Brand, R&D, Finance, and Operations to ensure innovation aligns with consumer needs and operational feasibility.
• Drive supplier strategy, roster management, and RFP processes.

• Bachelors Degree in Marketing, Analytics, Finance, or related field is required; MBA preferred.
• 10+ years in consumer insights and/or business intelligence.
• Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong people-management background.
• Creative thinker with ability to achieve results in a dynamic environment.
  

Expected Work Location (In Office): It is expected that you will primarily perform work at the Wendy's Restaurant Support Center (1 Dave Thomas Blvd, Dublin, OH 43017), as designated by the Company. You are required to work in the office at least 4 days a week.

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.