Job description

The Director, Product Development leads Domino's innovation agenda from consumer insight through commercialization. This role oversees Product Marketing and Research & Development to build a robust pipeline of menu innovation, product optimization, and strategic growth platforms that drive sales, profitability, and brand differentiation. The position combines consumer-centric marketing and culinary innovation, using research, data, and cross-functional collaboration to identify opportunities, develop business cases, and launch products that are consumer-relevant, operationally executable, and financially sound. The role also leads the Domino's Global Product Innovation Council to connect international innovation efforts, accelerate learning, and identify scalable opportunities. What You'll Do • Innovation strategy and pipeline leadership: Develop and execute the innovation roadmap; maintain a multi-year pipeline aligned with enterprise growth objectives that delivers at least three product innovations and at least one renovation each year; identify consumer, food, technology, and cultural trends; set priorities and resource allocation; shape menu strategy, portfolio architecture, and product lifecycle management with executive leadership; maintain supplier relationships; and optimize innovation processes from consumer-driven ideas through commercialization. • Product Marketing leadership: Lead Product Marketing strategy for innovation, renovation, and optimization; develop customer value propositions for products, platforms, and promotions; align initiatives with brand, sales, and marketing objectives; oversee business cases, forecasting assumptions, launch recommendations, and post-launch evaluations with Decision Science; lead portfolio and menu management, including additions, renovations, simplification, and SKU optimization; and partner with Operations and the OpAC franchisee council to build system buy-in and support system launches. • Research & Development leadership: Lead the R&D function in designing, developing, testing, and commercializing products and menu platforms; ensure innovation meets standards for quality, profitability, scalability, and operational simplicity; improve core menu items through renovation and optimization; partner with Quality Assurance, Operations, Supply Chain, and Procurement; champion a disciplined stage-gate process; and oversee product testing, operational readiness, and national launch execution. • Global Product Innovation Council leadership: Establish strategic priorities and governance for product innovation across international markets; chair council meetings; connect global marketing, culinary, operations, and innovation leaders; evaluate global concepts for scalability and commercialization; formalize sharing of best practices, consumer learnings, and product performance; build a globally informed pipeline; assess standardization, regional adaptation, and local innovation opportunities; establish scorecards and reporting; and serve as the liaison between U.S. innovation teams and international markets. • Consumer insights and learning: Partner with Analytics & Insights on research agendas and consumer learning plans; use quantitative and qualitative research, sales data, behavioral trends, and market intelligence to guide innovation and portfolio strategy; translate consumer, category, and competitive insights into product opportunities; document successes and failures to strengthen organizational learning; and manage internal sensory capabilities for development and consumer qualification. • Cross-functional leadership and execution: Serve as executive sponsor for major innovation programs and national launches; lead cross-functional teams through concept development, testing, readiness, and commercialization; align Marketing, Operations, Technology, Supply Chain, Finance, Franchisees, Decision Science, and International teams; balance consumer appeal, operational feasibility, and franchisee economics; and drive execution and business outcomes. • Talent leadership and organizational development: Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing Product Marketing and R&D team, including Senior Managers; foster innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement; create development and succession plans; build capabilities in consumer-led innovation, commercialization, product strategy, and portfolio management; and promote cross-functional learning and knowledge sharing. What You’ll Bring In addition to the technical and functional requirements of this role, successful candidates demonstrate Domino's Hungry for MORE Ways of Working: Be Curious • Seeks clarity, asks thoughtful questions, and uncovers root causes to solve problems effectively. • Actively pursues learning opportunities, applies feedback, and continuously develops new skills. Connect the Dots • Uses information and insights to identify opportunities and drive informed decisions. • Builds strong partnerships across teams and considers the broader organizational impact of decisions. Aim High • Sets ambitious goals, challenges the status quo, and focuses on work that drives meaningful business results. • Uses feedback and data to continuously improve performance and outcomes. Shift Fast • Adapts quickly to changing priorities and business needs while maintaining focus on results. • Demonstrates resilience, sound judgment, and the ability to learn from setbacks. Deliver More • Takes ownership, executes with discipline, and consistently produces measurable results. • Identifies opportunities to create additional value for customers, team members, and the business. Leadership Expectations • Builds and develops high-performing teams aligned to Domino's Ways of Working. • Creates accountability, fosters collaboration, and delivers results through others. • Leads confidently through change while maintaining team engagement and performance. • Demonstrates enterprise thinking and drives cross-functional alignment to achieve business goals. • Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Food Science, Product Development, or related field. • 12+ years of progressive experience in Product Marketing, Innovation, R&D, Brand Management, Product Development, or related disciplines. • Minimum 7 years of leadership experience managing high-performing teams. • Experience leading cross-functional innovation programs from concept through commercialization. • Strong analytical capability with demonstrated use of consumer research and business analytics. • Proven ability to influence stakeholders across multiple functions and organizational levels. • Excellent communication, storytelling, and executive presentation skills. Preferred Qualifications • MBA or advanced degree in Business, Marketing, Food Science, or related field. • QSR, restaurant, foodservice, or consumer packaged goods experience. • Experience scaling innovation across franchise or multi-unit operating systems. • Deep understanding of consumer behavior, menu economics, portfolio strategy, and product commercialization. • Experience working with stage-gate innovation and product development processes. Benefits: • Paid Holidays and Vacation   • Medical, Dental & Vision benefits that start on the first day of employment • No-cost mental health support for employee and dependents • Childcare tuition discounts • No-cost fitness, nutrition, and wellness programs • Fertility benefits • Adoption assistance • 401k matching contributions   • 15% off the purchase price of stock   • Company bonus   All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Requirements

Must-haves

What You’ll Bring
In addition to the technical and functional requirements of this role, successful candidates demonstrate Domino's Hungry for MORE Ways of Working:
Seeks clarity, asks thoughtful questions, and uncovers root causes to solve problems effectively.
Actively pursues learning opportunities, applies feedback, and continuously develops new skills.
Connect the Dots
Uses information and insights to identify opportunities and drive informed decisions.
Builds strong partnerships across teams and considers the broader organizational impact of decisions.
Sets ambitious goals, challenges the status quo, and focuses on work that drives meaningful business results.
Uses feedback and data to continuously improve performance and outcomes.
Adapts quickly to changing priorities and business needs while maintaining focus on results.
Demonstrates resilience, sound judgment, and the ability to learn from setbacks.
Deliver More
Takes ownership, executes with discipline, and consistently produces measurable results.
Identifies opportunities to create additional value for customers, team members, and the business.
Leadership Expectations
Builds and develops high-performing teams aligned to Domino's Ways of Working.
Creates accountability, fosters collaboration, and delivers results through others.
Leads confidently through change while maintaining team engagement and performance.
Demonstrates enterprise thinking and drives cross-functional alignment to achieve business goals.

Nice-to-haves

MBA or advanced degree in Business, Marketing, Food Science, or related field.
QSR, restaurant, foodservice, or consumer packaged goods experience.
Experience scaling innovation across franchise or multi-unit operating systems.
Deep understanding of consumer behavior, menu economics, portfolio strategy, and product commercialization.
Experience working with stage-gate innovation and product development processes.

Application prep

Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.

Platform: smartrecruiters
Effort: medium

Benefits

Benefits detected in the listing.

Dental

Vision

401k

Wellness