Sr. UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. UX Researcher

Company: Yum!

Location: Irvine, California, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: User Experience Research / Operations Strategy

Date Posted: 2026-08-25T14:45:07

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in transforming KFC US's digital and operational experiences through rigorous user research, focusing on guest-facing digital channels (app, web, kiosks, delivery) and internal team-member tools (POS, KDS, restaurant operations platforms).

• The Sr. UX Researcher will be responsible for planning, executing, and synthesizing qualitative research to uncover deep user needs and pain points, directly informing product, design, and engineering initiatives.

• A key aspect of this role involves translating research findings into actionable insights that drive the development of intuitive, high-quality digital products and operationally efficient internal systems.

• This position requires close collaboration with cross-functional teams including Product Management, Design, Engineering, Marketing, and Restaurant Operations to ensure research insights are integrated effectively into the product development lifecycle and operational workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the core role is UX Research, the emphasis on "team-member tools (POS, KDS, restaurant operations platforms)" and "operationally efficient experiences" strongly indicates a significant intersection with Revenue Operations and GTM strategy. The insights generated will directly impact operational efficiency, customer experience (which drives revenue), and team productivity, all critical components of a robust GTM engine. This role is not just about user interface but about the end-to-end operational effectiveness of technology.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Strategic Research Planning: Design and execute end-to-end research plans for digital guest channels and internal restaurant operations platforms, utilizing a variety of qualitative and quantitative methodologies.

• Insight Generation & Synthesis: Conduct usability testing, field studies, diary studies, and foundational research to deeply understand guest and team-member needs, behaviors, and pain points.

• Actionable Insight Delivery: Synthesize complex research data into clear, compelling, and actionable insights that directly inform product requirements, design decisions, and operational workflow improvements.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner effectively with UX Designers, Product Managers, Engineers, Marketing teams, and Restaurant Operations stakeholders to ensure research findings are understood, embraced, and integrated into product roadmaps and operational strategies.

• Research Process Improvement: Contribute to the advancement of research standards, methodologies, templates, and best practices within the growing UX organization, fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making.

• Impact Measurement: Help define and track key metrics related to user experience and operational efficiency, demonstrating the impact of research on business outcomes and guest satisfaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly point to a role that bridges user experience with operational efficiency. For a candidate applying, framing their experience in terms of how their research improved operational workflows, reduced friction in team member tasks (leading to efficiency gains), or directly influenced guest satisfaction metrics (driving revenue) will be crucial. This goes beyond standard UX and touches on GTM effectiveness.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Human Factors, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior UX Researcher role.

Experience: 4-6+ years of experience in UX Research, Human Factors, Applied Research, or a closely related field, with a proven track record of conducting impactful user research.

Required Skills:

• Qualitative Research Expertise: Deep proficiency in planning and executing a range of qualitative research methods, including usability testing (moderated and unmoderated), in-depth interviews, ethnographic studies, contextual inquiries, and diary studies.

• Digital Product Research: Experience conducting research for digital products across various platforms, including mobile applications (iOS/Android), responsive web, and interactive kiosks.

• User Research Tools: Proficiency with industry-standard user research platforms such as UserTesting.com, UserZoom, or similar tools for remote testing and data collection.

• Data Synthesis & Analysis: Strong ability to synthesize qualitative and quantitative data from multiple sources, identify key themes, and translate findings into clear, actionable insights.

• Communication & Storytelling: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively present research findings and recommendations to diverse stakeholders, including executive leadership.

• Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams, influencing design and product decisions through research.

• Task Analysis: Experience in analyzing user tasks and workflows to identify opportunities for improvement in user interfaces and operational processes.

Preferred Skills:

• Foundational Research: Experience with generative and foundational research methods to understand unmet needs and explore new product opportunities.

• Accessibility & Inclusive Research: Knowledge and practice of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and inclusive research methodologies to ensure products are usable by all.

• Prototyping Tools: Familiarity with prototyping tools like Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch to understand design concepts and provide feedback.

• Restaurant Operations Knowledge: Experience researching or understanding the complexities of restaurant operations, Point of Sale (POS), or Kitchen Display Systems (KDS) is a significant plus.

• Quantitative Research Methods: Basic understanding of quantitative research methods and statistical analysis to complement qualitative findings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The preferred skills highlight the operational aspect. Candidates with experience researching operational tools (POS, KDS) or understanding restaurant workflows will have a distinct advantage. This signals the company is looking for researchers who can grasp the nuances of both guest-facing and internal-facing operational systems.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: A portfolio showcasing 3-5 detailed case studies that demonstrate your end-to-end UX research process, from defining research objectives to delivering actionable insights and their impact.

• Methodology Diversity: Examples should highlight the application of various research methodologies (e.g., usability testing, field studies, interviews) tailored to specific research questions.

• Insight & Impact: Clearly articulate the key insights derived from your research and, most importantly, the tangible impact these insights had on product design, feature development, or operational improvements. Quantify impact where possible (e.g., "reduced task completion time by X%", "improved guest satisfaction scores by Y%").

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Demonstrate how you collaborated with designers, product managers, and other stakeholders to integrate research findings into the product development lifecycle.

• System/Tool Context: If applicable, include examples of research conducted on digital platforms, internal tools, or operational systems, highlighting your ability to understand complex user environments.

Process Documentation:

• Research Plans: Examples of well-structured research plans that outline objectives, target participants, methodologies, timelines, and success metrics.

• Usability Test Scripts & Moderation Guides: Demonstrations of your ability to create effective scripts and guides for conducting usability studies.

• Analysis & Reporting: Showcase your approach to data analysis, synthesis, and reporting, including examples of how you visualize findings and communicate them effectively to varied audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role touching on operations, a portfolio that includes case studies on improving efficiency, reducing error rates, or enhancing user workflows for internal tools will be highly valued. The ability to demonstrate how research directly led to operational improvements is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Sr. UX Researchers in Irvine, CA, with 5-10 years of experience, the estimated salary range is $121,600 - $142,900 USD per year. This range accounts for the Sr. level, the specific location (a high cost-of-living area), and the specialized nature of the role intersecting with operational systems.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive benefits package (health, dental, vision)

• Eligible for bonus compensation

• Potential for stock options or other long-term incentives (typical for senior roles in large organizations)

• Paid time off and holidays

• Retirement savings plan (e.g., 401k) with company match

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with potential for flexibility depending on research project needs and hybrid work arrangements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on the provided AI data (minvalue 121600, maxvalue 142900) and general market data for Sr. UX Researchers in the Irvine, CA area. Benefits are typical for a large corporation like Yum! and are inferred from the "Comprehensive benefits" and "Eligible bonus" notes.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Food & Beverage / Restaurant Technology. Yum! Brands operates globally with well-known brands like KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell, focusing on delivering convenient and high-quality food experiences. The company is increasingly investing in digital transformation and operational efficiency through technology.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (likely 10,000+ employees, given Yum! Brands' global scale). This implies a structured environment with established processes but also opportunities for significant impact within a large organization.

Founded: Yum! Brands was formed in 1997, with a long history of restaurant operations and innovation.

Team Structure:

• The UX team is likely part of a larger Digital, Technology, or Product organization.

• As a Sr. Researcher, you would likely report to a UX Research Lead or Manager.

• You will collaborate closely with Product Managers, UX Designers, Engineers, and importantly, stakeholders from Restaurant Operations and Marketing. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is a core philosophy, with a growing emphasis on user-centered design and operational excellence.

• Expect a hybrid approach combining agile development practices with structured research methodologies.

• Focus on translating user insights into measurable improvements in guest experience and operational efficiency.

Company Website: https://www.yum.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Restaurant Operations platforms" mention in the job description is a critical clue. This isn't just about consumer-facing apps; it's about the technology that runs the restaurants. This means the UX researcher will be deeply involved in improving the efficiency and usability of tools used by frontline employees, which directly impacts revenue through speed, accuracy, and reduced errors.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor. This role is for an experienced researcher who can independently lead complex research initiatives, mentor junior team members, and contribute strategically to the UX and operational roadmap. The scope includes both guest-facing and internal operational systems.

Reporting Structure: You will likely report to a UX Research Manager or Lead, with dotted-line reporting or strong collaboration with Product Managers and Engineering Leads for specific projects.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on the operational efficiency of KFC restaurants and the digital guest experience. By improving the usability of POS systems, KDS, and guest-facing apps, the researcher can influence order accuracy, speed of service, team member satisfaction, and ultimately, guest loyalty and revenue.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership: Potential to grow into a UX Research Lead or Manager role, overseeing research strategy and a team.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in restaurant operations technology research or expand into broader product strategy.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Opportunities to move into Product Management or UX Design roles, leveraging deep user understanding.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior researchers and contribute to building the UX practice within Yum! Brands.

• Industry Exposure: Gain deep experience in the fast-paced food and beverage technology sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Sr." title and the dual focus on guest and team-member tools suggest this role is a significant step towards operational leadership or specialized UX strategy within a large, complex organization. Demonstrating an understanding of how UX research drives operational KPIs will be key for career advancement in this context.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment. This suggests a mix of remote work and in-office collaboration. The specific office in Irvine is likely a hub for digital, technology, and potentially operational support functions for KFC US.

Office Location(s): 1 Glen Bell Way, Irvine, CA 92618. This location is in a business park area, likely with modern amenities and accessibility.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Expect modern office design with collaborative areas for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional workshops.

• Technology & Tools: Access to necessary research tools, software, and potentially dedicated lab spaces for usability testing.

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities to interact with UX team members, product managers, engineers, and operations stakeholders, fostering a connected and dynamic work environment.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours/week). The hybrid model offers flexibility in how and where work is performed, balancing focused individual work with in-person collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role means candidates should be comfortable with a mix of independent work and in-person collaboration. For operations-focused roles, the ability to visit restaurant locations for field studies (if required and feasible) might also be a component of the "field studies" mentioned.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process: Typically includes:

• Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter call to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Deep dive into experience, research methodologies, and alignment with role requirements.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A critical stage where candidates present 1-3 detailed case studies, demonstrating their process, insights, and impact. This will likely involve presenting to the hiring manager and/or other UX team members.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders such as Product Managers, UX Designers, and potentially representatives from Operations or Engineering to assess collaboration skills and understanding of business/operational context.

• Skills Assessment/Challenge: A potential take-home assignment or live exercise focused on research planning, data synthesis, or problem-solving related to a specific UX or operational challenge.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the "so what?" of your research. How did your findings lead to measurable improvements in user experience, operational efficiency, or business outcomes? Use metrics whenever possible.

• Show Your Process: Detail your research planning, participant recruitment, data collection, analysis, and synthesis methodologies. Explain why you chose specific methods.

• Highlight Collaboration: Demonstrate how you worked with cross-functional teams to ensure your insights were understood and acted upon.

• Tailor to Operations: If possible, include a case study that involved researching operational tools or processes. Emphasize how your research improved efficiency, reduced errors, or streamlined workflows for team members.

• Be Concise and Clear: Present your work in a well-organized, visually appealing manner. Be prepared to discuss your projects in detail and answer in-depth questions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Research Planning: Be ready to outline a research plan for a given problem, considering target users, methods, and deliverables.

• Data Synthesis: Practice synthesizing qualitative data into themes and actionable insights.

• Problem Solving: Think about how UX research can solve business or operational problems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount. For this role, candidates should prioritize showcasing projects where their research directly influenced operational efficiency or improved the usability of systems used by employees. This demonstrates an understanding of the broader GTM and operational impact beyond just consumer-facing design.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: UserTesting.com, UserZoom, Lookback, Maze, or similar for remote moderated/unmoderated testing.

• Prototyping Tools (Familiarity): Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD for understanding and commenting on designs.

• Collaboration Tools: Jira, Confluence for project management and documentation.

• Survey Tools: SurveyMonkey, Google Forms, Qualtrics for quantitative data collection.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Synthesis Tools: Miro, Mural for affinity mapping and synthesizing qualitative data.

• Presentation Software: PowerPoint, Google Slides for reporting findings.

• Basic Analytics Understanding: Familiarity with web analytics (e.g., Google Analytics) or app analytics can be beneficial for contextualizing research.

CRM & Automation: While not directly a CRM role, understanding how user data is managed and how insights might feed into CRM strategies or marketing automation platforms is a plus.

• Data Visualization: Tools like Tableau or Power BI (basic understanding) can help in presenting quantitative aspects of research findings.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with dedicated user research platforms is essential. Familiarity with prototyping tools is helpful for collaboration. Experience with tools used for synthesizing qualitative data (like Miro) and presenting findings is critical. The mention of "POS, KDS, restaurant operations platforms" implies potential exposure to enterprise software or custom-built internal systems, which may require adaptability.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the needs of both guests and team members.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Relying on research and data to inform product and operational strategies, moving beyond assumptions.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Working closely with diverse teams to ensure research is integrated and impactful across the organization.

• Operational Excellence: Striving for efficiency, accuracy, and seamless experiences in both digital and physical restaurant operations.

• Continuous Improvement: A mindset of constantly seeking ways to enhance user experiences and operational workflows through iterative research and design.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Active participation in product development teams, working alongside designers, PMs, and engineers.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Proactive communication and engagement with business stakeholders, including Operations and Marketing, to gather requirements and share insights.

• Feedback Culture: Openness to constructive feedback on research plans, methodologies, and findings, fostering a learning environment.

• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share best practices, learnings, and research resources with the broader team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "Operational Excellence" and "team-member tools" suggests a culture that values efficiency and practicality. Candidates who can demonstrate how their research contributes to tangible operational improvements will resonate well with these values.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Guest vs. Team Member Needs: Researching for both external guests and internal employees requires understanding diverse contexts and potentially conflicting priorities.

• Complexity of Restaurant Operations: Gaining a deep understanding of the fast-paced, high-pressure environment of restaurant operations can be challenging.

• Driving Action from Insights: Ensuring research findings are consistently acted upon by cross-functional teams, especially in a large organization.

• Rapid Digital Transformation: Keeping pace with evolving digital technologies and guest expectations in the competitive QSR space.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Restaurant Tech: Opportunity to become an expert in the specific technologies and workflows of the quick-service restaurant industry.

• Advanced Research Methodologies: Exposure to and application of advanced research techniques relevant to both consumer and enterprise/operational tools.

• Cross-Functional Skill Development: Learning about product management, engineering processes, and marketing strategies within a large F&B company.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Opportunities to mentor junior researchers and contribute to the strategic direction of UX research at Yum! Brands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the unique intersection of consumer UX and operational UX. Framing past experiences in overcoming similar complexities will be beneficial. The growth opportunities point towards becoming a subject matter expert in a critical, high-impact area for Yum! Brands.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time your research uncovered a critical insight that significantly changed a product's direction or an operational workflow. What was your process, and what was the outcome?"

  • Preparation: Prepare a STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) story focusing on a complex project where your research led to tangible, measurable improvements, ideally in efficiency or user satisfaction. Quantify results.

• "How do you approach research when dealing with both guest-facing digital products and internal operational tools? What are the key differences in your methodology or considerations?"

  • Preparation: Discuss your understanding of the distinct user needs, environmental factors, and business objectives for consumer apps vs. internal operational systems. Emphasize adaptability and stakeholder management.

• "Imagine we need to improve the efficiency of our Kitchen Display System (KDS) for line cooks. How would you approach researching this problem, and what key questions would you seek to answer?"

  • Preparation: Outline a research plan including participant identification (line cooks), methods (e.g., contextual inquiry, task analysis, usability testing), key areas of investigation (e.g., information clarity, workflow efficiency, error reduction), and potential deliverables.

• "How do you ensure your research findings are understood and acted upon by product, design, and engineering teams?"

  • Preparation: Discuss your communication strategies, stakeholder engagement methods, and how you tailor your deliverables to different audiences. Highlight examples of successful implementation of your recommendations.

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Yum! Brands and specifically this Sr. UX Researcher role within KFC US?"

  • Preparation: Research Yum! Brands' recent digital initiatives, their focus on guest experience and operational efficiency. Connect your skills and interests to their stated goals.

• "How do you see UX research contributing to operational efficiency and revenue growth in the restaurant industry?"

  • Preparation: Articulate the link between user experience (for guests and employees) and key business metrics like order accuracy, speed of service, team member productivity, and guest satisfaction/loyalty.

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid or fast-paced environment. How do you manage your time and priorities?"

  • Preparation: Discuss your organizational skills, ability to manage multiple projects, and comfort with iterative development cycles.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each case study, clearly outline: Problem/Opportunity, Your Role, Research Questions, Methodology, Participants, Key Findings, Recommendations, and Impact/Results.

• Visuals: Use mockups, screenshots, user journey maps, or synthesized data visualizations to bring your work to life.

• Narrative: Tell a compelling story about your research journey and its impact.

• Focus on Operations: If you have relevant operational research, highlight it prominently.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Know your projects inside and out and be ready to answer detailed questions about your decisions and the outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation emphasizes demonstrating a strategic understanding of how UX research directly impacts operational KPIs and revenue. Candidates should be ready to discuss specific examples of improving efficiency, reducing errors, or streamlining workflows through their research.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-adjacent UX research position:

• Submit your application through the provided Oracle Cloud link: https://eczd.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX/job/5554

• Portfolio Customization: Review your portfolio and select 2-3 case studies that best highlight your experience with digital products, operational systems, and your ability to drive impact through research. Tailor your presentation to emphasize efficiency improvements and cross-functional collaboration.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your years of experience, proficiency in key research methodologies (especially qualitative), and any experience with operational tools or the food service industry. Use keywords from the job description such as "usability testing," "qualitative research," "digital product research," and "operational workflows."

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies using the STAR method. Prepare answers to common UX research and behavioral questions, with a specific focus on how your work impacts business goals and operational efficiency.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Yum! Brands, KFC US, and their current digital and operational strategies. Understand their market position and challenges in the QSR industry.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.