Commercialization Excellence Lead

The Kraft Heinz Company; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 142,000 - 177,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

401(k) Plan

Wellbeing programs

Life Insurance

Job summary

The Kraft Heinz Company is seeking a senior commercialization leader in Chicago to drive a multi-year capability maturity roadmap across process, people, and technology. You will design governance frameworks and embed robust decision-making, change management, and cross-functional accountability to enable rapid, high-impact initiatives.

This role emphasizes consumer-centric metrics, rigorous learning plans, and post-launch performance tracking to continuously optimize portfolio execution and

Responsibilities

• Define and execute a multi-year commercialization capability maturity roadmap spanning process, people, and technology.
• Design, implement, and improve a scalable project governance framework (agile, stage-gate, hybrid).
• Establish standardized decision-making frameworks (RACI, gate criteria, escalation paths).
• Build and institutionalize rigorous change management practices for initiative execution.
• Champion a Business First, Project Second operating philosophy with consumer-centric success criteria.

Job description

Job Description

CommercializationCapability & Maturity Transformation

• Define and execute a multi-yearcommercializationcapability maturity roadmap — spanning process, people, and technology — aligned to enterprise innovation ambitions.

• Design, implement, and continuously improve aprojectgovernance framework(agile, stage-gate, hybrid)scaled to initiative complexity, risk, and strategic importance.

• Establish standardized decision-making frameworks (RACI, Gate readiness criteria, issue escalation paths) that enable speed without sacrificing quality.

• Build and institutionalize rigorous change management practices, ensuring aligned base plans serve as the backbone of all initiative execution.

• Champion a ‘Business First, Project Second’ operating philosophy: anchoring every initiative plan to consumer-centric success criteria and competitive market realities.

• Developand updatecomprehensive Commercial, Technical, and Market learning plans that generate the insights needed to support Gate decisions and in-market readiness.

• Establish post-launch tracking discipline using structured performance templates; drive corrective action rapidly when results diverge from commitments.

Stakeholder Alignment & Courageous Leadership

• Act as thecommercialization’s senioradvisor— framing risks, surfacing key issues, and presenting decision-ready options for senior leadership with full transparency.

• Partner withcommercialization,functional leaders,keydecisionmakers to build strong governance communities and drive cross-functional accountability.

Talent Development & Capability Building

• Define role profiles, competency frameworks, and career ladders that attract, develop, and retaintopcommercializationtalent in a competitive CPG environment;build and execute a capability development roadmap for Project/Program Managers and cross-functional initiative team members.

• Lead onboarding, team effectiveness, and health-check cadences thatestablishhigh-performing norms across all initiative teams.

• Coach and mentor a team of project managers;embed5E Leadership principles as the operating model for all multi-functional team leadership.

Systems, Processes & Digital Enablement

• Lead theselection, implementation, and adoption ofcommercializationtechnology (portfolio management platforms,stage-gate tracking tools, collaboration systems).

• Define and enforce project data standards,trackingcompliance protocols, and reporting cadences across the initiative portfolio.

• Design dashboards and governance reporting that give leadership real-time visibility into portfolio health, risk, and capacityutilization.

• Evaluate and continuously improve the integrated planning processes (AOPschedules, spending plans, resource allocation) that drive cross-functional synchronization.

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:

$141,500.00 - $176,900.00

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 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)

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.