End-to-End Processing Lead: Scale-Up & Execution

Kraft Heinz; Glenview (IL); Hybrid; USD 142,000 - 177,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Wellbeing programs

Paid time off

Job summary

Kraft Heinz in Glenview, IL seeks a Research Lead for the End-to-End Complex Projects team to own technical delivery from concept to commercialization. Partner with R&D, Quality, Operations, and suppliers to translate processing concepts into manufacturable, Right-First-Time solutions.

Ideal candidate brings hands-on expertise in emulsions, fermentation, extrusion, and thermal processing with CQV, FMEA, CPRA, and FlowSheet tooling. Travel up to 25% and multi-site experience are a plus.

Qualifications

• BS/MS/PhD in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related discipline.
• Minimum 11 years of experience in R&D Processing or Engineering in consumer goods, food & beverage, pharma, or related industry.
• Experience in emulsions / shear processing, fermentation, extrusion, thermal processing & validation, aeration, drying, or powder mixing.
• Hands-on experience executing end-to-end processing development projects, including pilot trials and scale-up to industrial production.
• Strong knowledge of processing commercialization tools: CQV, FMEA, CPRA, Process Design Scopes, and Transformation Flowsheets.
• Strong project management skills with detailed project plans, schedules, and risk logs on multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Proficiency with MS Project, Smartsheet, Jira; familiarity with ERP systems (SAP).
• Strong technical communication skills for cross-functional audiences.
• Experience with pilot line setup, scale-up, and industrial production launches; multi-site experience preferred.
• Willingness to travel up to 25%.

Responsibilities

• Execute end-to-end technical delivery across complex processing projects.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation (MPS, Transformation Flowsheets, Process Design Scopes).
• Apply CQV, FMEA, CPRA to identify and mitigate risks for Right-First-Time launches.
• Collaborate with Platform R&D, GDI R&D, Packaging R&D, Quality, Operations, and external suppliers.
• Lead and support pilot line trials and scale-up activities.
• Contribute to STAR and Tech Review Board processes with clear design rationale and risk status.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and safety requirements.
• Support cost optimization and value engineering efforts.
• Mentor junior and experienced processing engineers.

Skills

Emulsions processing

Pilot line setup

Scale-up to production

Technical communication

Risk management

Education

BS/MS/PhD in Chemical/Mechanical/Industrial Eng

Tools

MS Project

Smartsheet

Jira

Excel

SAP

Job description

Kraft Heinz in Glenview, IL seeks a Research Lead for the End-to-End Complex Projects team to own technical delivery from concept to commercialization. Partner with R&D, Quality, Operations, and suppliers to translate processing concepts into manufacturable, Right-First-Time solutions.

Ideal candidate brings hands-on expertise in emulsions, fermentation, extrusion, and thermal processing with CQV, FMEA, CPRA, and FlowSheet tooling. Travel up to 25% and multi-site experience are a plus.