Sr. Manager, Kitchen Equipment, International

Our opportunity:

The Sr. Manager, Kitchen Equipment, International oversees equipment solutions within EMEA, APAC, Latin America & Caribbean regions managing the lifecycle of kitchen and restaurant equipment to enhance operational efficiency and franchisee profitability. This position collaborates cross-functionally & cross-regionally. Reporting to the Head of International Operations, the role combines strategic planning, project management, technical knowledge, and problem-solving to support the brand's operational goals.

RBI follows a 5 day, in-office work schedule to support collaboration. Candidates should be comfortable working onsite 5 days per week.

Your roles & responsibilities:

Strategy & Communication

In collaboration with regional leads, procurement & other function design, fine-tune & lead the strategy for International Equipment.

Lead effective project communication to senior leadership, cross-functional teams & the franchise community.

Management & Innovation

Manage the full portfolio of equipment solutions, focusing on optimizing reliability, performance, and ease of in-restaurant execution.

Identify and analyze opportunities for improvements in current equipment and new product offerings.

Lead innovation efforts from concept to execution, collaborating with vendors and internal stakeholders to test and deploy equipment that meets operational standards.

Project Management

Oversee multiple equipment projects aligned with brand goals, including timelines, resource allocation, and cross-functional collaboration.

Manage project communication, providing updates and reports to all stakeholders, and ensure alignment with franchisee needs and brand objectives.

Maintain the Approved Equipment List (AEL) and conduct quarterly reviews on warranty, performance, and service agreements with vendors.

Testing & Validation

Conduct lab and field testing, using time and motion studies and performance data to validate new equipment and identify enhancements.

Gather feedback from franchisees and field teams, analyzing results to develop actionable recommendations.

Ensure rigorous testing protocols and document findings to drive continuous improvement and consistency in restaurant operations.

Implementation & Support

Support restaurant locations with technical resources, procedural guides, and training materials for equipment deployment.

Act as a problem-solving resource for field teams, providing troubleshooting support and collaborating on operational adjustments.

Facilitate equipment updates, menu changes, and software upgrades across the system as required.

Your skills & experience:

3+ years of experience in kitchen equipment management, restaurant operations, or project management within the food service industry.

Strong technical skills in equipment design, testing, and project management.

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint for data analysis and presentation.

Ability to manage complex projects, using data and feedback to drive decision-making.

Experience with data visualization and process simulation tools is an asset.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of presenting information to diverse audiences.

Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with vendors, franchisees, and cross-functional teams.

Willingness to travel (0-25%) for project-related tasks, primarily within the EMEA region.