Global Culinary Innovation Leader: Visionary Chef Executive

Kraft Heinz; Nijmegen; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Kraft Heinz in Nijmegen seeks a Global Culinary Innovation Senior Manager to lead a high-performing team of chefs and translate consumer insights, trends and technologies into scalable prototypes, menus and applications across regions.

You will define global culinary strategy, build capabilities, and partner with R&D, Marketing, Insights and regional teams to drive long-term opportunities across the business. Willingness to travel internationally is required.

Qualifications

• Formal culinary education, apprenticeship or equivalent professional chef qualification.
• 15+ years leadership experience across FMCG, food manufacturing or corporate innovation.
• Proven track record coaching and developing chefs across locations, cultures or regions.
• Experience leading complex innovation portfolios from exploration through regional adoption.
• Deep understanding of food, ingredients, techniques, menus and scaling culinary ideas.
• Ability to translate trends and technologies into scalable culinary applications.
• Strong business acumen, portfolio judgement and prioritisation skills.
• Executive-level communication, facilitation, storytelling and influencing abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop a diverse team of chefs; set priorities and standards across global programs.
• Translate emerging food trends into tested recipe, menu and product prototypes for regional adoption.
• Land early technologies through culinary techniques and regional pilots.
• Build proprietary methods, standards, playbooks, data and digital tools to scale globally.
• Shape the culinary competency framework and orchestrate the global Chef Network for knowledge sharing.
• Mobilise culinary expertise for enterprise priorities and measurable business impact.

Skills

Leadership

Executive communication

Global collaboration

Strategic thinking

Culinary expertise

Education

Formal culinary education / apprenticeship

Job description

Kraft Heinz in Nijmegen seeks a Global Culinary Innovation Senior Manager to lead a high-performing team of chefs and translate consumer insights, trends and technologies into scalable prototypes, menus and applications across regions.

You will define global culinary strategy, build capabilities, and partner with R&D, Marketing, Insights and regional teams to drive long-term opportunities across the business. Willingness to travel internationally is required.