Group Director, Menu & Category Management
Welcome to Whataburger Careers!
Summary Description: Leads the strategy, development, and performance of the brand’s menu to drive traffic, margin growth, and brand differentiation within the competitive burger QSR segment. Combines strategic insight, data-driven decision making, and a passion for food innovation to deliver craveable, profitable, and operationally simple menu offerings across burgers, chicken, beverages, and limited-time promotions.
- Demonstrates Whataburger’s Family of Service “Pride, Care, and Love”.
- Promotes a “one system” environment with consistency of leadership.
- Actively leads efforts that encourage equitable problem resolution and improved working relationships.
- Promotes and champions individual growth within the organization.
- Stands out as a role model for others through daily interaction and leadership example as a resource for projects that support the Vision and Mission.
- Leads and directs staff communication and compliance monitoring of policies, procedures, and practices.
- Lead the long-term menu roadmap to strengthen brand leadership in the burger QSR segment.
- Define and optimize menu architecture across burgers, chicken, sides, and beverages.
- Balance innovation, value, and simplicity to enhance guest satisfaction and profitability.
- Manage the national menu calendar and innovation pipeline, including limited-time and seasonal launches
- Oversee category performance, pricing, and product mix to maximize sales, margin, and operational efficiency.
- Identify emerging trends and whitespace opportunities to drive category and brand growth.
- Direct the development, testing, and commercialization of new menu items from concept to launch.
- Partner cross-functionally with Culinary, Operations, Marketing, Finance, and Supply Chain to ensure execution excellence.
- Use consumer insights and analytics to guide strategy, refine menu offerings, and evaluate performance.
- Collaborate with franchise partners to gain field input and ensure alignment on menu strategies and launches.
- Present data-driven recommendations to senior leadership that link menu initiatives to business results.
- Leverage consumer, financial, and market data to guide menu strategy and innovation.
- Develop and refine pricing and promotional strategies that balance guest value with profitability.
- Monitor key performance metrics (menu mix, item profitability, contribution margin) to evaluate results and identify improvement opportunities.
- Translate insights and analytics into actionable recommendations that drive business performance.
- Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure effective implementation of menu initiatives.
- Collaborate with franchisees to incorporate field insights and gain alignment on menu strategies.
- Present clear, data-supported recommendations to senior leadership that connect menu actions to business outcomes.
- Assumes additional responsibilities as assigned.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business or related field.
- Master’s degree preferred
Experience
- 5+ years’ experience supervising others at various organizational levels, preferably at a regional or higher level
- 11+ years’ experience as project or program manager of major programs
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
- Proficiency in MS Office Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point, and Visio (as applicable)
- Proficiency in Workday (as applicable)
- Advanced ability to communicate, influence and negotiate decisions while motivating staff
- Advanced ability to create and implement given strategic direction
- Ability to work in a team environment
300 Concord Plaza Dr San Antonio TX 78216-6903