Group Lead, Supply Chain Development

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

Job summary

Kraft Heinz in Chicago invites a Group Lead, Supply Chain Development – AFH Innovation to lead end-to-end delivery of innovation projects, drive capital and cost-out initiatives, and partner with cross-functional teams to ensure successful commercialization.

Located at Chicago Aon Center, this role oversees capacity planning, NPD alignment, and collaboration with external manufacturing and procurement to unlock growth and efficiency while delivering strong financial targets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Operations Management, Food Science, Chemistry, or another related field.
• Minimum of 5 years combined experience in manufacturing, business development or HQ business team experience.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in Project Management for Consumer Products.
• Minimum 1 Year’s Experience In Basic Marketing/Finance Principles.
• Minimum 2 year of Plant Manufacturing experience (preferred)

Responsibilities

• End-to-end delivery and execution of AFH Innovation projects.
• Lead major cost improvement initiatives through cross functional collaboration and provide updates to senior leaders.
• Lead readiness to support commercialization and start-ups for growth and cost-out initiatives.
• Develop capital business cases and support with finance for growth initiatives.
• Partner with External Manufacturing managers and EM procurement to deliver commercialization activities outside Kraft Heinz capabilities.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Drive for results

Customer focus

Cross functional knowledge

Relationship building

Ambiguity management

Written communication

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering/related field

Job description

Job Description

Group Lead, Supply Chain Development – AFH Innovation

Location: Chicago Aon

Responsibilities

• This Group Lead role in Supply Chain Development is focused on end-to-end delivery and execution of AFH Innovation projects.
• Execute major manufacturing cost improvement initiatives through cross functional collaboration and provide timely updates to senior leaders.
• Lead technical and supply chain readiness to support commercialization activity. The individuals will lead using tools that prepare the supply chain and manufacturing facilities for successful start- ups for growth, capacity, supply continuity and cost out initiatives (including manufacturing asset optimization).
• Lead network capacity assessment and E2E loss analysis with business partners. Ensure appropriate capacity for new business initiatives and growth plans across product life cycle. Develop and recommend alternatives as needed. Provide updates to senior leadership, project sponsors and stakeholders as needed on key initiatives, including progress against deliverables, cost management, next steps and needs from sponsors to alleviate hurdles. Escalate concerns and issues, report project fact base, define options/trade-offs, and provide team recommendation.
• Be the liaison between the business team (Supply Chain Development, EM Manufacturing, EM Procurement, Marketing, Product Supply, Quality, Engineering and Finance, etc.) and the co-manufacturer when it comes to providing an avenue for communication.
• Develop capital business cases in conjunction with finance and project teams to support business growth initiatives and lead capital associated with developing such capability. Identify impact across the supply chain with regard to cost of goods sold e.g. route to market, capacity utilization, DIOH, manufacturing efficiency, quality, safety.
• Partner with External Manufacturing managers and EM procurement to deliver against commercialization activities outside of current Kraft Heinz capabilities as well as drive cost out of the external manufacturing networks.
• Manage and deliver assigned financial targets, to include the delivery of capital projects, trial activity and start-up expenses while leading resource & funding prioritization. Drive development of COGS, ensure alignment between category team and operations. Engage and support productivity agenda to deliver cost reduction targets.
• Provide cross functional leadership for the PCM organization and Plant Operations Personnel and Engineers.
• Support Business and Manufacturing Systems initiatives as required and support the continuous improvement of the commercialization process through collaboration with key stakeholders and best practice sharing.
• Lead and/or participate in various stakeholder governance forums (i.e. Stage gate/Leadership teams)
• Partner with the Business Units/ Manufacturing/ Supply Chain/ Engineering to develop a 5-year strategic capacity plan. Create innovative solutions to address GAPs/ Constraints.
• Manage and develop with the collaboration of marketing/sales the growth and innovation pipeline requests ensuring that proper financial and capability hurdles are properly met.
• Be the conduit and voice between the 3rd party vendors and KHC when it comes to driving NPDs or cost out initiatives at a co-manufacturing site.
• Lead all communications relative to identifying risks and provide solutions to capacity constraint assets – focused on productivity and NPD initiatives.
• Lead the manufacturing element of commercialization as it relates to NPDs and any Cost Out changes.
• Provide input and solutions in commercialization meetings as they relate to manufacturing solutions.
• Support the SCL team during project scoping to align on MOQs for materials and production and support the launch of NPDs post launch to mitigate SCL.
• Partner with EM Quality and to ensure that any NPDs targeted to be produced at co-manufacturers are compliant with KHC golden rule requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Operations Management, Food Science, Chemistry, or another related field
• Minimum of 5 years combined experience in manufacturing, business development or HQ business team experience.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in Project Management for Consumer Products
• Minimum 1 Years’ Experience In Basic Marketing/Finance Principles
• Minimum 2 year of Plant Manufacturing experience (preferred)

Competencies/Abilities

• Strategic capabilities/business acumen
• Drive for results
• Customer Focus
• Deep Cross Functional Knowledge

Building and strengthening relationships

Managing through ambiguity

Communication-Written and Presentation

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 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

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.