Manager, Operations Excellence - Technology Engagement Lead, Enterprise Products and Platforms

Company Description

McDonald’s growth strategy, Accelerating the Arches, encompasses all aspects of our business as the leading global omni-channel restaurant brand. As the consumer landscape shifts we are using our competitive advantages to further strengthen our brand. One of our core growth strategies is to Double Down on the 3Ds (Delivery, Digital and Drive Thru). McDonald’s will accelerate technology innovation so 65M customers a day will experience a fast, easy experience, whether at one of our 25,000 and growing Drive thrus, through McDelivery, dine-in or takeaway. 

McDonald’s Global Technology is here to power tomorrow’s feel-good moments.That’s why you’ll find us at the forefront of transformative technology, exploring new and innovative ways to serve our millions of customers and spread happiness one delicious Hot Fudge Sundae-dipped fry at a time. Using AI, robotics and emerging tech, we’re digitizing the Golden Arches. Combine that with our unparalleled global scale, and we’re reshaping all areas of the business, industry and every community that is home to a McDonald’s restaurant. We face complex tech challenges every day. But that’s where our diverse and talented teams come in. They’re made up of the best and brightest from all over the globe, and they thrive in the space where feel-good meets fast-paced.  

Check out the McDonald’s  Global Technology Technical Blog to learn how technology and our global team are directly enabling the Accelerating the Arches strategy. 

Job Description

This opportunity is part of the Global Technology Enterprise Products & Platforms (EPP) Team, focused on Operations Excellence (Domain Automation) Technology Engagement Lead (TEL), where our vision is to “Always be a... people led, product centric, future focused & trusted technology partner of choice.”

The Manager, Operations Excellence (Domain Automation) _ TEL is responsible for delivering technology solutions that drive operational efficiency through automation across business domains, driving continuous improvement and innovation for EPP and partners. The TEL plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between technology solutions and business operations. This role focuses on empowering business end-users, promoting adoption, and maximizing the value derived from digital productivity tools. As a Lead, you’ll collaborate with cross-functional teams, facilitate training/awareness sessions, and drive successful implementation of digital automation solutions initiatives. The TEL ensures alignment with business goals, efficient resource utilization, and successful project outcomes.

They will work closely with the Director, and collaborate with leaders, managers, and employees to identify and address productivity issues, and cultivate a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. This position reports to Director, EPP Operations Excellence (Domain Automation).

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Product Strategy
  • Work with the Domain leadership teams to define the product vision, strategy, and roadmap in alignment with business goals, market trends, and customer feedback.

• Encourage adoption by demonstrating the benefits and practical applications of these   technologies.

• Work closely with Change Management teams to ensure smooth transitions during tool implementations.

• Address resistance to change and provide ongoing support.

• Foster a positive attitude toward digital transformation.

• Process Optimization:

• Collaborate with our IT business analysts and product owners to identify areas for improvement.
• Collaborate with IT stakeholders to define project objectives, scope, and deliverables.
• Develop detailed project plans, including timelines, milestones, and resource allocation.
• Identify risks, dependencies, and critical paths.
• Maintain risk logs and communicate risks to stakeholders.
• Propose automation solutions to streamline workflows.
• Ensure alignment with business goals.

• Requirement Gathering and Prioritization
  • Work closely with IT stakeholders, including business partners and technical product management teams, to gather requirements and prioritize feature development.
  • Translate customer needs and market demands into clear, actionable product requirements.
  • Collect feedback from end-users regarding tool usability, challenges, and enhancements.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Facilitate communication and collaboration among cross-functional teams, including product management, engineering, design, quality assurance, and operations.
  • Ensure alignment on product priorities, timelines, and deliverables across teams.
• Stakeholder Communication & Reporting

o     Facilitate regular project status meetings.

o     Provide updates, enhancements and best practices to executive leadership and project sponsors.

o     Communicate project progress, challenges, technical issues, and achievements.

• Market Analysis and Competitive Intelligence
  • Stay informed about market trends, competitor offerings, and industry best practices.
  • Conduct market research, competitive analysis, and customer interviews to identify opportunities for product differentiation and innovation.
• Metrics and Performance Tracking

o     Define key performance indicators (KPIs) related to tool usage and effectiveness.

o     Monitor adoption rates, user satisfaction, and productivity gains.

o     Provide regular reports to management.

• • Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), track product usage patterns, and iterate on features to optimize user engagement and satisfaction.
• Project Closure and Lessons Learned

o     Conduct post-project evaluations.

o     Document lessons learned and best practices

o     Celebrate project successes and identify areas for improvement.

• Continuous Improvement and Feedback
  • Foster a culture of continuous improvement by soliciting feedback from customers, internal stakeholders, and team members.
  • Use feedback to iterate on the product roadmap, prioritize enhancements, and drive product innovation over time.

Benefits eligible: Yes
Bonus eligible: Yes
Long term incentive eligible: Yes
The expected salary range for this role is $112,860 - $143,900 per year range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we may also consider your experience, and other job-related factors.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of experience in intelligent automation including AI, robotics, ML (Machine Learning), etc. 
• Bachelor's degree in business, computer science, Engineering, or related discipline
• Broad knowledge in assigned domain area, including the latest industry trends and applicable use cases
• Experience leading agile self-managed product teams of multiple sizes and types
• Experience applying product and agile ways of working that includes leveraging best practices and lessons learned to standardize ways of working
• Highly experienced working collaboratively with business partners to solve complex technical challenges 
• Possess effective communication, storytelling, negotiation, influencing, business acumen, and problem-solving skills
• Strong innovation skills to identify, develop, and make improvements to techniques, procedures, services, or products
• Experience applying data and reporting to present key business cases, make informed business decisions, and facilitate continuous improvement
• Strong positive thinking skills that include creating a safe environment to learn, challenge, accept risk taking and a willingness to be wrong

Additional Information

Benefits eligible: This position offers health and welfare benefits, a 401(k) plan, adoption assistance program, educational assistance program, flexible ways of working, and time off policies (including sick leave, parental leave, and vacation/PTO). Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on job classification and length of employment. 

Bonus eligible: This position is eligible for a bonus, calculated based on individual and company performance.

Long term Incentive eligible: This position is eligible for stock or other equity grants pursuant to McDonald’s long-term incentive plan.

McDonald’s is an equal opportunity employer committed to the diversity of our workforce. We promote an inclusive work environment that creates feel-good moments for everyone. McDonald’s provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities as part of the application or hiring process or to perform the essential functions of their job. If you need assistance accessing or reading this job posting or otherwise feel you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact [email protected]. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

McDonald’s provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to sex, sex stereotyping, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, age, disability status, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, protected military or veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Nothing in this job posting or description should be construed as an offer or guarantee of employment.