Alison Guy
New York,NY
Summary
Strategic Innovation Leader and Influencer with proven Operations Innovation experience with McDonald's Global and other leading fortune 500 Food + Beverage Brands. Working at the intersection of Innovation and Operations to drive and define new engagement strategies that place the CX at the core while maximizing business performance.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Director Operations Innovation
Shake Shack
05.2021 - Current
- Directed design and execution of business transformation initiatives to drive performance, profit optimization and growth opportunities.
- Established multi disciplinary Operations Innovation Team to drive proof of concent testing through go to market strategy
- Launched & scaled the Drive Thru Business
- Standardized Kitchen Design
- Format Development and Operating models
- Championed continuous improvement initiatives to drive operational excellence within the organization.
- Streamlined operations for increased efficiency with process improvements and automation.
Director Innovation + Disrupton
Salad And Go
02.2021 - 04.2021
- Explore new platforms for growth and development - Ghost Kichens; Automation of Salad Lines; Special points of Distribution
- Improve guest engagement through the testing of Digital Menuboards for Drive Thru
Construction Management McDonalds
Sevan Multi Site Solutions
6 2019 - 02.2021
- Tracked project progress and updates, monitored deliverables, milestones, and issues for accurate monthly reporting.
- Managed key stakeholder relationships; Vendor Management - including assignment of contracts, and Executive level reporting.
- Strengthened client relationships through proactive communication about project status updates, milestones achieved, or changes needed.
- Project Management.
Consultant
Dip N Dip
05.2018 - 03.2019
- Development of core consumer value proposition to inform market specific business model.
Senior Director Retail Experience
Krispy Kreme
04.2016 - 03.2018
- Led concept design, development, and delivery of the future restaurant design and experience.
- Launched and scaled Delivery Platform Nationally with key Delivery providers.
- Instrumental in defining the vision and restaurant concept for the NY Flagship location in Times Square. Opened February 2020.
Open Innovation
McDonald Australia
03.2015 - 03.2016
- Developed and brought to market the Burger Bar concept that offered 'fresh to you, customizable' burger offering
- Developed Retail Framework to bring new relevance to High Street + Mall locations
- Led innovation co-creation sessions; Focus Group & Ethnography to garner customer insights and frame opportunities to extend and enhance to guest experience
- Extended in-store McCafé Platform to Drive Thru focused on converging the in-store experience with the convenience of Drive Thru -This resulted in the re-design of the Drive Thru to enable separate pickup window and guest experience
Senior Director Retail Brand
McDonald's USA
01.2007 - 12.2014
- Developed McCafé Platform and Business Model
- Scaled nationally across 14,000 locations
- Led the Urban Renewal
- High street reimagine of NY Metro Market - 25 locations resulting in 15-20% increased revenue over 3-years
- Instrumental in developing McDonald's Design portfolio to drive an elevated and consistent Brand experience across all markets while connecting the consumer to the brand in new and meaningful ways - Scaling across 14,000 restaurants, this contributed to 15-25% sales lift nationally and increased guest satisfaction scores through new relevance
- Managed exhibit design and core messaging for Global Conventions and sponsored events, e.g
- Fashion Week ; Sundance Film Festival
- Guest Speaker
- Stanford University - Innovation by Design
- Finalist for the Fast Company 2014 Innovation by Design Award.
Global Innovation Manager
McDonald's Global
01.2005 - 12.2007
- Championed a customer-centric approach to innovation, incorporating user feedback into every stage of product development.
- Brought new relevance to legacy platforms to maximize performance
- Introduced a structured framework for evaluating new ideas against predefined criteria, leading to more informed investment decisions in R&D projects.
- Enhanced collaboration between cross-functional teams for stronger ideation and faster product development.
- Led the development of Fast Forward Drive Thru Design - Patented
Education
Certificate - Innovation
IDEOU
Chicago, ILMastering Design Thinking -
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA 02.2021 - 06.2021
Victoria Univerisity
Wellington, NZSkills
Innovation
Strategy
Critical Thinking
Problem Solving
Concept Development
Restaurant Operations
Cross functional Team Leadership
Project Management
Training Facilitation
Accomplishments
(2) US Design Patents - Drive Thru, McDonald's 2011
Circle of Excellence Award in DT Innovation - McDonald's
Fast Company Finalist - McDonald's 2011
Fast Company Award Winner - Shake Shack 2023
Timeline
Senior Director Operations Innovation
Shake Shack
05.2021 - Current
Director Innovation + Disrupton
Salad And Go
02.2021 - 04.2021
Mastering Design Thinking -
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
02.2021 - 06.2021
Consultant
Dip N Dip
05.2018 - 03.2019
Senior Director Retail Experience
Krispy Kreme
04.2016 - 03.2018
Open Innovation
McDonald Australia
03.2015 - 03.2016
Senior Director Retail Brand
McDonald's USA
01.2007 - 12.2014
Global Innovation Manager
McDonald's Global
01.2005 - 12.2007
Construction Management McDonalds
Sevan Multi Site Solutions
6 2019 - 02.2021
Certificate - Innovation
IDEOU
Victoria Univerisity