Sr. Manager, Culinary & Innovation – Brisbane, Australia
Region: Brisbane, Australia
Ready for a fresh, new career? Look no further because one of the world’s most iconic brands can help you get there.
Why Join Us?
At Subway, “better” is baked into our DNA. We are a brand that believes in continued improvement … in our lives, our businesses, and our planet. From the handshake that started our very first sandwich shop to earning our position as one of the world’s leading restaurant brands, we’ve always embraced change and the path ahead. And today, we're making better living way easier.
Our purpose is about more than the food we serve in our restaurants. It’s centered on fueling healthy businesses and healthier lives. It is one of the most exciting times to join the Subway team and contribute to our transformational journey.
About the Role:
The Manager, Marketing Innovation & Culinary plays a pivotal role in shaping the Subway menu story across Australia and New Zealand. This is a commercially grounded, strategically oriented position that sits at the intersection of culinary creativity and brand marketing — translating global food trends and local consumer insight into compelling product concepts and market-ready innovations that drive traffic, average transaction value, and franchisee commercial performance.
Reporting into the Senior Director, Marketing ANZ, this role is the primary conduit between the global Culinary Innovation function and the ANZ marketing calendar. The incumbent leads the ANZ innovation pipeline — from ideation and concept validation through to in-restaurant execution — while championing upsell mechanics, LTO (Limited Time Offer) strategies, and product-platform storytelling that resonates with Australian and New Zealand consumers.
This role does not carry direct operational responsibility for the franchisee network but is expected to influence field execution through compelling briefs, robust training assets, and strong cross-functional alignment.
If you feel that this is the role for you, and you are successful with your application, be ready to be Bold, Empowered, Accountable, and ready to have Fun in a fast paced and agile working environment.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Innovation Strategy & Pipeline Leadership
- Lead the development and maintenance of a robust ANZ innovation pipeline, balancing short-cycle LTO activity with longer-horizon platform innovation aligned to Subway’s global brand and menu strategy.
- Articulate, recommend, and champion food innovation initiatives that are commercially viable, operationally deliverable, and locally resonant across Australian and New Zealand markets.
- Translate global culinary direction from IPC into ANZ-relevant product concepts, ensuring alignment with local consumer taste preferences, cultural eating occasions, and regulatory requirements (FSANZ).
- Monitor and apply emerging ANZ and global food trends — including flavour movements, protein diversification, plant-forward options, digital menu personalisation, and value-perception drivers — to inform the innovation calendar.
- Develop growth strategies in partnership with the Sr Director Marketing and cross-functional colleagues that connect product innovation with measurable commercial outcomes.
Marketing Concept Development & Launch Execution
- Own the end-to-end development of marketing-led product concepts: from brief through consumer validation, operational alignment, and in-market execution.
- Build compelling business cases for new products and platforms, incorporating consumer insight, competitive landscape analysis, franchisee economics, and supply chain feasibility.
- Partner with the Marketing, Digital, and Brand teams to ensure product innovation is embedded into integrated campaign plans, digital ordering experiences, and point-of-sale execution.
- Lead non-consumer-facing market tests including SKU rationalisation, product improvement trials, and equipment or ingredient substitution initiatives across ANZ restaurants.
- Ensure all concept releases are supported by clear operational briefs, training content, and franchisee communication assets — working closely with Franchise Performance and Operations teams.
Commercial Growth
- Develop and embed strategies that drive upsell and trade-up behaviour at the point of purchase — including bundle mechanics, meal deal architecture, and add-on prompting within digital and in-store channels.
- Identify and develop premium product platforms that support average transaction value growth and improve franchisee margin contribution.
- Apply knowledge of QSR upsell psychology, digital menu board optimisation, and loyalty program integration to maximise commercial impact of innovation activity.
- Stay current with ANZ QSR competitive activity, identifying white space and differentiation opportunities for Subway.
Consumer Insight & Trend Intelligence
- Collaborate with Consumer Insights and Analytics teams to design and commission research that validates innovation hypotheses and builds understanding of ANZ consumer needs, attitudes, and eating behaviours.
- Ensure product concepts are consumer-validated prior to operational commitment — including sensory testing, concept screening, and market/store trials.
- Cultivate deep understanding of Subway’s core and target consumer segments in ANZ, including value-seeking families, time-poor professionals, and health-conscious younger demographics.
- Identify and brief against emerging macro trends relevant to the ANZ market: sustainability & provenance claims, ultra-processed food sentiment, dietary inclusivity (gluten-free, halal, plant-based), and the growing role of digital ordering in product discovery.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Influence
- Organise and lead cross-functional project teams across Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, Quality Assurance, and Franchise Performance to bring innovation to market on time and within budget.
- Bridge the connection between global culinary direction, ANZ brand strategy, and in-restaurant execution — acting as an informed translator across technical, commercial, and creative functions.
- Engage supplier partners, flavour houses, and innovation consultants to ensure a rich external pipeline of ideas, ingredients, and technology solutions.
- Present innovation roadmaps, concept proposals, and performance reviews to senior leadership including the ANZ MD and regional Marketing leadership.
Project Management & Stage-Gate Execution
- Author detailed product and project briefs and manage the full innovation stage-gate process from ideation to in-restaurant launch.
- Create and maintain implementation work plans that coordinate execution across a broad portfolio of concurrent initiatives without compromising timeline or quality.
- Manage supplier relationships and timelines for ingredient sourcing, product specification sign-off, and regulatory compliance documentation.
- Track and report on innovation pipeline health, launch performance, and consumer and commercial outcomes against agreed KPIs.
Qualifications (some examples listed below):
- Bachelor Degree required in Marketing, Business, Food Science or Culinary Arts or any other related discipline.
- Minimum of 6 years’ experience in marketing innovation, product management, or culinary strategy within QSR, FMCG, fast-casual, or foodservice industries
- Minimum of 3 to 5 years in food marketing or product innovation role, with demonstrated ownership of new product development or launch campaigns
- Strong strategic thinking capability — able to connect consumer, commercial, and culinary lenses to build a coherent innovation point of view.
- Deep knowledge of the ANZ QSR and foodservice landscape, including competitor positioning, consumer segmentation, and market dynamics.
- Demonstrated understanding of current Australian and New Zealand food trends: flavour innovation, health & wellness movements, plant-based adoption, cultural cuisine influence, and sustainable sourcing sentiment.
- Proven experience in product management or marketing innovation using stage-gate methodology, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously.
- Ability to synthesise data from multiple sources (consumer research, sales analytics, trend reports) and translate into clear commercial recommendations.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to build and deliver compelling presentations to executive and franchise audiences.
- Skilled at working cross-functionally in a matrix organisation — influencing without direct authority across Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, and Franchise stakeholders.
- Commercial acumen: understanding of franchisee P&L, ingredient cost implications, and margin trade-offs in product decision-making.
- Passion for food, brand storytelling, and the genuine belief that great food innovation drives business growth.
Desirable
- Experience in a QSR, fast-casual, or FMCG food brand in an innovation or brand marketing capacity.
- Familiarity with digital menu boards, app-based upsell mechanics, and loyalty-driven product personalisation platforms.
- Culinary training, food science qualification, or hands-on professional kitchen experience — valued as a foundation for credible supplier and culinary partner engagement.
- Experience working within a franchise or licensed business model, with an appreciation of franchisee commercial dynamics.
- Exposure to FSANZ regulatory frameworks, food labelling requirements, or nutritional claims compliance.
- Experience working in or alongside APAC regional marketing teams.
What do we Offer?
- Insurance Plans (Medical/Life)
- Pension/401K/RSP (country specific)
- Competitive Bonus
- Mobility Allowance
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Company Holidays
- Volunteering time
- And Many More…..
Actual pay is determined based on a number of job-related factors including skills, education, training, credentials, qualifications, scope and complexity of role responsibilities, geographic location, performance, and working conditions.