Associate Brand Manager, AFH Innovation

Kraft Heinz; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 104,200 - 130,200; Full time

Job summary

Kraft Heinz in Chicago seeks an Associate Brand Manager, Innovation for Away From Home (AFH) to lead new product development from concept to launch. You will collaborate with R&D, Culinary, Insights, Sales, Finance, and Supply Chain to drive the commercialization process.

Ideal candidates have a strong bias for action, ownership, and ability to navigate ambiguity while delivering on deadlines. A Bachelor’s degree in business/marketing is required, MBA preferred, with 3–5 years in marketing or

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or related field; MBA and advanced qualifications preferred.
• 3 to 5 years of experience in marketing, product innovation, or brand management.
• Experience developing, launching, or managing products from concept to market in consumer goods.
• Strong analytical, communication, and project-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Support ideation, development, and execution of new AFH products (innovation).
• Conduct market research to identify trends and opportunities.
• Develop concepts, prototypes, and formulations with R&D and culinary teams.
• Lead cross-functional teams to manage commercialization, timelines, and budgets.

Skills

Brand management

Market research

Project management

Data-driven decisions

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business/marketing

MBA preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Purpose

As the Associate Brand Manager, Innovation for Away From Home (AFH), you will lead the development of new products from concept to launch for a key flagship brand. The role requires a combination of creativity and analytical thinking, with a focus on driving food innovation. You will collaborate with cross‑functional teams, including product and packaging R&D, culinary, consumer insights, sales, finance, and supply chain, to oversee the entire commercialization process. Ideal candidates will possess a strong bias for action, an ownership mentality, and the ability to navigate ambiguity while managing multiple projects and meeting deadlines. This position demands effective collaboration across all levels of the organization to ensure the successful market launch of innovative products.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Support the ideation, development, and execution of new AFH products (innovation).
• Conduct market research and competitive performance/landscape to identify trends and opportunities.
• Develop product concepts, prototypes, and formulations in collaboration with R&D and culinary teams.
• Manage the product commercialization process and lead cross‑functional teams (including R&D, Marketing, Culinary, CIS, Supply chain, Sales, and finance), ensuring timely, on‑budget, and successful project completion.
• Manage packaging design process including agency relationship as well as review and approve all deliverables.
• Partner with finance on product P&L to actively manage the impact of decisions on overall profitability. Guide decisions on pricing and forecasts.
• Partner with Sales, Brand & BAP Team to generate early customer interest and align on launch plans.
• Innovation tracking and delivery, budget management, innovation routines (stage gate, resourcing).

Expected Experience & Required Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or related field. MBA and advanced qualifications preferred. Candidates with equivalent experience will be considered.
• 3 to 5 years of experience in marketing, product innovation, or brand management. Prior experience developing, launching, or managing products from concept to market in the consumer goods sector is highly desired.
• Possess a passion for food and flavor innovation, combined with an interest in food trends and flavor profiles for inspiring product innovation and staying ahead of market demands.
• Have a growth mindset and be a continuous learner who embraces challenges, seeking to understand and anticipate consumer needs and using that knowledge to fuel product development.
• Proven project management and solid analytical, consultative, and diagnostic skills; able to make sound, data‑driven business decisions. Prior experience with business case development and multi‑workstream project management is critical to success in this role.
• Proven ability to juggle multiple projects and manage timelines, resources, and stakeholders, with experience leading cross‑functional teams.
• Results‑oriented, adept at solving complex challenges and dealing with ambiguity; anticipates and adjusts to problems and obstacles in the team or the organization.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; proven track record of building effective business relationships and ability to influence and coach without direct accountability.
• Strong strategic thinker who considers various perspectives and impacts of issues and can project them into the future.
• Ability to quickly develop organizational agility, e.g., knows how to get things done through formal and informal channels and is an effective delegator.
• Ability to prioritize your time and others' time on what’s most important while eliminating roadblocks for the team.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).

Work Environment & Schedule

This position is considered a normal office environment with moderate travel to customer locations, stores, manufacturing facilities, etc.; offices are open workspaces. To create a more agile and modern workplace, we allow office‑based employees to work virtually for up to two days each week and expect them to work in person during the defined core days at their assigned work location at least three days per workweek.

Our Total Rewards philosophy is to provide a meaningful and flexible spectrum of programs that equitably support our diverse workforce and their families and complement Kraft Heinz’ strategy and values.

New Hire Base Salary Range

$104,200.00 – $130,200.00

Bonus

This position is eligible for a performance‑based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.

Benefits

Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family’s needs. Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

Wellbeing

We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well‑being lifestyle for our employees and their families.

Benefits Breakdown

You’ll be able to participate in a variety of benefits and wellbeing programs that may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors, for example:

• Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments
• Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training
• Emotional – Employee Assistance Program, Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs
• Financial – 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Location(s)

Chicago/Aon Center

Equal Opportunity Employer

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for protected individuals, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact [e-mail] for assistance.