Digital Platforms Manager

Position Purpose:The Digital Platforms Manager is responsible for shaping and stewarding El Pollo Loco's digital product strategy across all customer-facing platforms, including mobile app, mobile web, desktop web, and kiosk. This individual is focused on the customer journey, translating guest insights and behavioral data into a prioritized roadmap that drives platform adoption, engagement, and a best-in-class digital experience. The Digital Platforms Manager is a cross-functional connector and strategic thought partner, partnering with Brand Marketing, IT, Operations, and external vendors to ensure our platforms reflect brand standards, meet business objectives, and lead industry innovation.Essential Duties and Responsibilities:Product Strategy & Roadmap Ownership

Lead roadmap development and prioritization across all customer-facing platforms, based on consumer insights, business impact, and competitive benchmarkingContinually improve the guest journey; synthesizing guest feedback, usability data, and behavioral analytics to advocate for experiences that drive engagement, frequency, and digital adoptionDefine and communicate platform vision and requirements clearly to cross-functional stakeholders, ensuring alignment between business goals and platform capabilitiesManage cross-functional workstreams and project timelines, ensuring platform initiatives move from planning to execution with clarity and accountabilityContribute to the exploration and application of AI and personalization capabilities that enhance the guest experience across digital touchpointsPassion for digital innovation and creating exceptional guest experiences

Competitive Intelligence & Industry Trends

Continuously monitor the competitive landscape across QSR and broader digital commerce to identify best practices, emerging technologies, and whitespace opportunitiesTranslate competitive and industry insights, including advancements in AI, personalization, and omnichannel experience, into actionable roadmap recommendations

Digital Menu Support & Optimization

Identify opportunities to grow revenue through upsell programs, bundling, and other conversion-driving tacticsChampion digital menu enhancements through the roadmap to improve the guest ordering experienceSupport new product launches

MarTech & Platform Enablement

Manage relationships with platform vendors and development partners, representing the goals of the organization and collaborating with the cross-functional digital teamLead or support platform evaluations, onboarding, and configuration based on business needsStay current on MarTech tools and capabilities relevant to digital sales growth and guest engagement

Analytics & Performance

Monitor platform health, user behavior, and funnel metrics to identify friction points and opportunities for optimizationBuild and maintain reporting on digital platform KPIs to inform ongoing decision-making

Non-Essential Duties and Responsibilities:The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee and may include other duties as assigned.Qualifications - Education, Experience, License/Certifications:To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. The requirements listed below are representative of the education and/or experience required.Education and/or Experience:

Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or related field; advanced degree a plus4-6 years of experience in digital platforms or related field, with exposure to multi-unit restaurant or retail environments preferredStrong strategic thinking skills with a demonstrated ability to prioritize and contribute to platform roadmapsStrong project management skills, with a track record of managing cross-functional initiatives from planning through execution; experience with Asana or similar toolExperience with consumer research, user feedback synthesis, and translating insights into platform decisionsFamiliarity with agile methodologies and cross-functional development processesExcellent communication skills, comfortable presenting to both technical and non-technical audiencesAnalytical mindset with experience using data to drive decisions; familiarity with BI tools and Google Analytics preferred