Brand Manager, Away From Home Innovation - Condiments & Sauces

Kraft Heinz, Inc.; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 121,000 - 151,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonus

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Kraft Heinz, Inc. in Chicago is seeking a senior marketing/innovation leader to drive strategic development and commercialization of new products. You will work across R&D, culinary, and insights to align the pipeline with market trends and growth goals.

Expect 5–7 years in marketing or product innovation with cross-functional leadership and strong analytical skills. This role mixes office presence with occasional travel and a hybrid work arrangement near Chicago.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or a related field; MBA with a marketing focus preferred.
• 5 to 7 years in marketing, product innovation, or brand management; 3 years leading innovation from concept to market.
• Proven success in developing and executing strategic marketing plans and cross-functional leadership.
• Strong project management, organizational, and analytical skills with data-driven decision making.
• Ability to simplify complex challenges and drive progress in fast-paced environments.

Responsibilities

• Support development of a strategic approach to innovation aligned with market trends and growth objectives.
• Lead commercialization of key pipeline initiatives and manage the stage-gate process.
• Collaborate with R&D, culinary, consumer insights, quality, legal, operations, sales, and finance.
• Drive consumer insights and validate with the consumer insights team; manage agency relationships for packaging design.
• Refine product positioning and messaging for the Away from Home market; analyze internal and competitor performance.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Project management

Data-driven decisions

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or a related field

MBA with a marketing focus preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Job description

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

Support development of a strategic approach to innovation, ensuring the pipeline is aligned with market trends, consumer insights, and AFH’s growth objectives. Lead Commercialization of key pipeline initiatives. This includes identifying opportunities, prioritizing projects, and managing the commercialization of new products in line with Kraft Heinz’s broader business objectives. Collaborate with key stakeholders across multiple functions, including R&D, culinary, consumer insights, quality, legal, operations, sales, and finance, to ensure seamless execution of innovative initiatives. Foster a culture of innovation within the AFH division by championing creative thinking and new product development that reflects global trends and cultural shifts. Inspire teams to take calculated risks and challenge the status quo to drive transformational growth. Support the innovation stage gate process, including all key deliverables, timelines, and approvals. Ensure that all projects are resourced appropriately and prioritized effectively to meet business goals. Manage agency relationships for the packaging design of new products and lead consumer validation efforts in partnership with the consumer insights team. Work with commercial teams to refine product positioning and messaging, ensuring that new innovations meet target customers' needs in the Away from Home market. Utilise syndicated data sources to analyze internal and competitor innovation performance, providing actionable insights and recommendations to drive impactful business decisions. Maintain a consumer‑first mindset and strong operator understanding, ensuring day‑to‑day decisions protect the brand/operator’s integrity while effectively balancing financial and operational considerations.

Expected Experience & Required Skills

Expected Experience & Required Skills Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or a related field; MBA with a marketing focus preferred. Equivalent experience will be considered. 5 to 7 years in marketing, product innovation, or brand management, with at least 3 years leading innovation/product development from concept to market in the consumer goods sector. Proven success in developing and executing strategic marketing plans, including situation assessments and tactical initiatives. Experience leading cross‑functional teams and managing multiple projects simultaneously, focusing on delivering results within agreed timelines. Strong project management, organisational, and analytical skills with the ability to make data‑driven business decisions and develop sound business cases. Ability to simplify complex challenges, make quick decisions, and continuously drive progress, even in fast‑paced and ambiguous environments. A growth mindset focusing on continuous learning, anticipating consumer needs, and leveraging insights to fuel innovation. Results‑oriented problem solver with a track record of managing ambiguity and overcoming obstacles to succeed. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to build relationships, influence stakeholders, and lead through collaboration. Strategic thinker who can assess issues from multiple perspectives and anticipate future impacts. Strong organisational agility, navigating formal and informal channels to get things done effectively while delegating and 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 programmes that equitably support our diverse workforce and their families and complement Kraft Heinz’ strategy and values.

New Hire Base Salary Range: $120,800.00 - $151,000.00

Bonus: This position is eligible for a performance‑based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents. The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors.

Benefits:

Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependants) 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 wellbeing lifestyle for our employees and their families. You’ll be able to participate in a variety of benefits and wellbeing programmes 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 Programme , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs Financial – 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Location(s)

Chicago/Aon 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.