Director, Kitchen Equipment, International

Strategic Leadership in International Kitchen Equipment

Lead the vision and strategy for kitchen and restaurant equipment across EMEA, APAC, and LAC regions. This senior leadership position owns the full equipment lifecycle to drive operational efficiency, enhance the guest experience, and maximize franchisee profitability. The role combines deep commercial and operational knowledge of the QSR environment with strong business acumen, partnering with operations, business, and franchisee stakeholders at every level. Reporting to the Head of Operations, International, this position delivers the brand's operational goals through strategic leadership, executive-level communication, and program management.

Positioned within a 5-day, in-office work schedule to support collaboration, candidates must be comfortable working onsite five days per week.

Strategy & Leadership

• Define and own the multi-year equipment strategy and roadmap for International, in partnership with regional leads, Procurement, Finance, and other functions.
• Establish the standards, governance, and decision-making frameworks that determine which equipment is approved, deployed, and retired across regions.
• Serve as the equipment authority for the International business, advising senior leadership on trade-offs between brand standards, regional market needs, and franchisee economics.

Business Acumen & Financial Stewardship

• Build business cases for equipment investments, evaluating total cost of ownership, return on investment, labor, speed of service, energy use, and impact on franchisee profitability.
• Partner with Procurement and Finance on vendor strategy, commercial terms, pricing, and supplier performance to deliver value for the system.
• Adapt global equipment solutions to regional realities, including utilities, regulations, supply availability, and market maturity.

Management & Innovation

• Manage the full portfolio of equipment solutions, optimizing reliability, performance, and ease of in-restaurant execution.
• Identify and prioritize opportunities to improve current equipment and introduce new technologies and product offerings.
• Lead innovation from concept to scaled deployment, partnering with vendors and internal stakeholders to test and roll out equipment that meets operational standards.
• Own the Approved Equipment List (AEL) and lead regular reviews of warranty, performance, and service agreements with vendors.

Program & Project Management

• Oversee a portfolio of concurrent, multi-market equipment programs aligned with brand goals, ensuring clear timelines, resourcing, and accountability across teams.
• Anticipate risks and dependencies, resolve issues early, and escalate with clear recommendations when needed.
• Deliver clear, concise updates and recommendations to senior leadership, cross-functional teams, and the franchise community, ensuring alignment with franchisee needs and brand objectives.

Testing & Validation

• Ensure rigorous lab and field testing of new equipment, using time and motion studies, performance data, and franchisee feedback to validate solutions and identify enhancements.
• Establish testing protocols and documentation standards that drive continuous improvement and consistency in restaurant operations.
• Translate test results and field insights into actionable, data-backed recommendations for leadership decisions.

Implementation & Stakeholder Engagement

• Ensure restaurants and field teams are supported with technical resources, procedural guides, and training materials for equipment deployment.
• Act as an escalation point for complex field issues, driving resolution with vendors, operations teams, and regional leads.
• Lead equipment updates, menu-driven changes, and software upgrades across the system.
• Build trusted relationships with franchisees, franchisee leadership groups, operations and business teams, and vendors, influencing decisions and driving alignment without relying on formal authority.

Skills and Experience

• 8+ years of experience in equipment management, operations, engineering, or project/program management within the QSR or broader foodservice industry. Experience with a supplier, manufacturer, or distributor serving QSR brands is equally valued.
• In-depth knowledge of the commercial and operational workings of kitchen equipment in the QSR environment, including how equipment affects speed of service, food quality and safety, labor, and utility costs.
• Strong business acumen, with the ability to build business cases, understand financial drivers, and make sound investment recommendations.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills, with proven ability to engage and influence senior leadership and executive audiences, in writing and in person.
• Strong project and program management skills, with a track record of delivering complex, multi-market initiatives on time.
• Highly organized, with the ability to manage competing priorities and maintain clarity across a large, varied portfolio.
• Proven ability to influence and build relationships across operational and business teams, vendors, and franchisees at all levels.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint for data analysis and presentation. Experience with data visualization and process simulation tools is an asset.
• Experience working across multiple international markets and cultures is a plus.
• Willingness to travel 25-50%, primarily across EMEA, APAC, and LAC.