Associate Scientist, R&D - Product Development

Kraft Heinz; Warrendale (Allegheny County); Hybrid; USD 69,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental & Vision plans

401k plan

Paid time off

Flexible work arrangements

Wellbeing programs

Job summary

Kraft Heinz is seeking an Associate Scientist at the Heinz Innovation Center in Warrendale to lead research-based development across Away From Home and KHI. You will conduct benchtop experiments, test flavor, texture, color, nutrition, and shelf-life while ensuring compliance with government and industry standards.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to advance projects from ideation to commercialization, support pilot plant trials, and contribute to innovation, renovation, and

Qualifications

• Good communication, critical thinking, and investigation skills.
• Self-starter with a passion to learn.
• Handle multiple assignments concurrently and prioritize.
• Strong understanding of Design of Experiments.
• Willingness to travel 30% as needed.
• B.S. in Food, Dairy, Meat Science or Chemical Engineering or equivalent.
• Internship or Co-op experience in food/consumer products preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct benchtop experiments to support innovation, renovation, and brand maintenance.
• Test products for flavor, texture, color, nutrition, shelf-life, and standards compliance.
• Support development, renovation, and cost-saving initiatives across the business.
• Collaborate with Packaging, Quality, Operations, PM, Marketing, and Sales to meet objectives.
• Support feasibility assessments, prototype development, and factory documentation.

Skills

Communication

Critical thinking

Multitasking

Experimental design

Willing to travel

Education

B.S. in Food, Dairy, Meat Science or Chemical Engineering

Internship/Co-op experience in food/CP industry

Job description

Job Description

Role Summary

This is a research based technical development role supporting projects across the Away From Home and KHI business. The Associate Scientist will support and execute technical projects that meet business initiatives focused on innovation, renovation, and brand maintenance. This role requires a strong technical foundation, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to apply prior learning or scientific principles to new situations. This position requires an individual to manage multiple assignments and tasks concurrently, work effectively with cross‑functional partners, and continue building technical capability through hands-on development and commercialization work.

Key Components

• Conduct benchtop experiments in the lab to support innovation, renovation, and brand maintenance work across the Away From Home and KHI business
• Test new and existing products for flavor, texture, color, nutritional content, shelf-life, and adherence to government and industry standards
• Support development and commercialization of new products, renovation of existing products, ingredient evaluation, and cost savings initiatives across the business
• Work collaboratively with Packaging, Quality, Operations, Project Management, Marketing, and Sales to scope, support, and implement projects that meet business objectives
• Support activities such as feasibility assessments, prototype development, costing, supervision of factory trials, development of recipe and factory documentation, recipe and label development, technical approval, shelf-life assessments, and technical support for initial factory production
• Support pilot plant and manufacturing scale-up of formulas
• Help progress projects from ideation through commercialization, from benchtop samples to final production and from raw material to finished product specification
• Support multiple product development assignments concurrently to meet R&D timelines and business needs
• Partner with cross‑functional teams to advance projects, resolve technical issues, and support business continuity
• Conduct lab, pilot plant, and manufacturing trials to optimize formulations and processing systems
• Maintain high-quality technical documentation and specifications that support consistent product execution
• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to learn new categories, technologies, and processing areas in support of business needs

Qualifications

• Good communication, critical thinking, and investigation skills
• Self-starter with a passion to learn is a must
• Handle multiple assignments/tasks concurrently with the ability to question the priority of work
• Strong understanding of Design of Experiments
• Willingness to travel 30% pending business needs
• B.S. degree in Food, Dairy, Meat Science or Chemical Engineering or equivalent
• Internship or Co-op Experience in the food or consumer products industry preferred

Work Environment & Schedule

This position is considered a normal office environment with 30% travel or visits to external locations; offices are open workspaces. Additionally, this role requires in‑office presence at least three days per week in compliance with the hybrid work schedule.

Physical Requirements

Physical demands include, but are not limited to:

Lift up to 30 lbs and navigate lab, storage, pilot plant, and manufacturing environments.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain all duties or responsibilities required of the role. Duties and responsibilities may change or be added at any time, with or without notice.

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:

$68,900.00 - $86,100.00

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 savingfor the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family’s needs. Coveragefor 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 aphysical, social, emotional, and financial well‑being lifestyle for our employees and their families.

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)

Heinz Innovation Center

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.