📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Product Marketing Associate
🔹 Company: Yum! Brands
🔹 Location: Irvine, California
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: April 3, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 6-8 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site with hybrid flexibility
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Driving business performance through category entry point growth strategy
- Leading new product launches through the 4D process
- Delivering first-class connected product calendar experiences
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams and living a culture of executional excellence
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of creativity, analytical skills, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, constantly iterating environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead new product launches from test through to launch, partnering with cross-functional teams including operations, IT, and Culinary Innovation
✅ Support creative innovation workshops and collaborate with Consumer Insights to test and validate solutions against established benchmarks and launch standards
✅ Define the 4D process, set stage gates, and make necessary recommendations for course corrective action based on timelines, test dialogistic, and consumer data
✅ Own the product test and product launch evaluation process, collaborating with finance to set and measure key success criteria and partnership with IT, Operations, and Supply Chain
✅ Create a fast-to-learn, fast-to-act process for product tests and product launches so that learnings are identified and acted upon quickly
✅ Support the marketing team connections planning process to ensure that each product “Experience” is connected and campaign development is cohesive
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of collaboration and requires strong project management skills to ensure successful product launches and connected experiences.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Finance, or other related field required
Experience: 6-8 years of related experience in brand marketing, product marketing, innovation or similar
Required Skills:
- Strong analytical and project management skills
- Self-motivated team player with excitement and enthusiasm for work
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, constantly iterating environment
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with the 4D process or similar product launch methodologies
- Familiarity with consumer insights and market research
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in fast-paced environments and familiarity with product launch processes will be particularly well-suited to this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $86,300 to $101,400 annually + bonus eligibility. This is the expected salary range for this position. Ultimately, in determining pay, we'll consider the successful candidate’s location, experience, and other job-related factors.
Benefits:
- Up to 4 weeks of vacation per year plus additional sick days
- Hybrid work schedule and year-round flex day Friday
- Up to 10 Paid Holidays + 1 Floating holidays
- The company provided Recharge Days to unplug and reenergize
- Competitive bonus program for eligible roles
- Recognition-based culture
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits including prescription drug benefits & 100% preventative care starting on Day 1
- Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
- Employee Assistance Program available to all employees and their dependents
- Generous parental leave
- Onsite Childcare through Bright Horizons
- 401(k) benefit plan with a 6% matching contribution
- Up to 2 Paid Days to Volunteer for any non-profit or charitable organization important to you
- Access to LinkedIn Learning
Working Hours: Full-time position with a hybrid work arrangement, typically working 40 hours per week with flexible scheduling options
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for this role and experience level. The final salary may vary based on the candidate's location, experience, and other job-related factors.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Yum! Brands is a global restaurant company operating over 48,000 restaurants in more than 145 countries and territories worldwide. The company's portfolio includes KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and The Habit Burger Grill.
Company Size: Yum! Brands is a large corporation with over 10,000 employees, providing ample opportunities for career growth and development.
Founded: Yum! Brands was founded in 1997, following the spin-off of its former parent company, PepsiCo.
Company Description:
- Yum! Brands is committed to delivering the best food, service, and value to its customers while creating opportunities for its team members and communities around the world.
- The company focuses on innovation, sustainability, and diversity, equity, and inclusion to drive long-term growth and success.
- Yum! Brands believes in the power of its people and fosters a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and growth.
Company Specialties:
- Quick Service Restaurants (QSR)
- Restaurants
- Pizza
- Fast-food
- Franchising
Company Website: http://pizzahut.com
ASSUMPTION: As a large corporation, Yum! Brands offers a wide range of career opportunities and benefits, including competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits packages, and opportunities for professional growth and development.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is suitable for experienced marketing professionals looking to advance their careers in product marketing or a related field.
Reporting Structure: The Product Marketing Associate will report directly to the Marketing Manager and collaborate with cross-functional teams, including operations, IT, and Culinary Innovation.
Work Arrangement: This is a hybrid role, with a combination of on-site and remote work. The specific work arrangement may vary depending on the team's needs and the employee's preferences.
Growth Opportunities:
- Advancement to a Senior Product Marketing role or similar leadership position
- Expansion into other marketing disciplines or functional areas within the organization
- Opportunities to work on high-impact projects and initiatives that drive business growth and innovation
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for career growth and development within the marketing function and the broader organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: The Irvine office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to facilitate teamwork and innovation.
Office Location(s): 7100 Corporate Dr, Plano, TX 75024, US
Geographic Context:
- The Irvine office is located in the heart of Orange County, California, offering easy access to major highways, shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
- The area is known for its mild Mediterranean climate, with warm, dry summers and mild, slightly rainy winters.
- Irvine is a family-friendly city with excellent schools, parks, and recreational facilities.
Work Schedule: The hybrid work arrangement allows for a flexible work schedule, with employees working on-site and remotely as needed to meet team and project requirements.
ASSUMPTION: The Irvine office provides a modern, collaborative work environment that supports teamwork, innovation, and employee well-being.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-person or virtual interview with the marketing team
- Final interview with the director of marketing
Key Assessment Areas:
- Problem-solving and analytical skills
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Creativity and innovation
- Adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced environment
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Be prepared to discuss your experience with product launches, market research, and consumer insights
- Demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role and the company's mission and values
ATS Keywords: Product Marketing, Brand Marketing, Innovation, Analytical Skills, Project Management, Team Player, Creativity, Data Analysis, Executional Excellence, Consumer Insights, Collaboration, Fast-Paced Environment, Test Evaluation, Launch Standards, Success Criteria, Connected Experiences
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as their ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, JIRA)
- Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Excel, Tableau, Power BI)
- Consumer insights and market research tools (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Google Forms)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies required for this role may vary depending on the team's needs and the candidate's background and expertise.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer Obsessed
- People-First
- Innovation-Driven
- Performance-Driven
- Integrity-Based
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Fast-paced and adaptable
- Data-driven and analytical
- Creative and innovative
- Results-focused and accountable
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you approach working in a fast-paced, constantly iterating environment?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt to significant changes in a project or initiative?
- How do you prioritize and manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who align with Yum! Brands' values and work style will be particularly well-suited to this role and the company's culture.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Adapting to changes in project scope or priorities
- Working effectively in a fast-paced, constantly iterating environment
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams and stakeholders
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inherent to the role and require strong project management, adaptability, and collaboration skills to overcome.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role differs from other product marketing positions in its focus on the 4D process and connected product calendar experiences
- As a large corporation, Yum! Brands offers more opportunities for career growth and development compared to smaller organizations
- This role may offer more stability and long-term growth potential compared to roles in smaller, startup, or mid-sized companies
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should consider their career goals and preferences when comparing this role to similar positions in other organizations.
📝 Sample Projects
- Leading a new product launch from test through to launch, including defining the 4D process, setting stage gates, and evaluating product test and launch success
- Collaborating with consumer insights and market research teams to test and validate product solutions against established benchmarks and launch standards
- Supporting the marketing team connections planning process to ensure cohesive campaign development for product experiences
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects provide a snapshot of the types of initiatives the Product Marketing Associate may work on in this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the 4D process and how it is applied to new product launches?
- How does the marketing team collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure cohesive campaign development for product experiences?
- What opportunities are there for career growth and development within the marketing function and the broader organization?
- How does the company support work-life balance for employees in hybrid or remote work arrangements?
- Can you provide an example of a successful product launch and the role that product marketing played in its success?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to help candidates better understand the role, the team, and the company culture, as well as their potential for growth and development.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare for your phone or video screen by researching the company and role, and practicing your responses to common interview questions
- Follow up with the hiring manager after your interview to express your interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications
- If you are selected for the final interview, be prepared to discuss your experience with product launches, market research, and consumer insights, as well as your enthusiasm for the role and the company's mission and values
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.