Head of Digital R&D Transformation (Equity-Eligible)

The Kraft Heinz Company; Glenview (KY); Hybrid; USD 190,000 - 238,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Equity eligibility

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Kraft Heinz seeks a Director, R&D - Digital Transformation to define the digital strategy for the North America R&D organization and build the capabilities to scale a multidisciplinary function. This greenfield role will establish the vision, operating model, and multi-year resourcing plan to accelerate innovation and shorten time-to-market.

The leader will design a Hub-and-Spoke model, recruit and develop talent, integrate PLM/ELN/LIMS into a unified data platform, and drive AI-enabled

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, data science, computer science, food science, or a related technical field with 17 years of relevant experience
• 12+ years leading digital, analytics, or advanced technology initiatives within R&D, manufacturing, or product development
• Proven track record defining and executing digital transformation strategy in a complex, matrixed environment
• Experience in organizational design and workforce planning: building team structures, hiring roadmaps, and scaling functions
• Familiarity with R&D enterprise systems (PLM, ELN, LIMS) and data interoperability challenges

Responsibilities

• Own the R&D digital transformation agenda with a phased, prioritized strategic roadmap
• Define target-state team structure, capability architecture, and workforce plan for scale
• Lead integration of legacy PLM, ELN, and LIMS into a cohesive data platform
• Develop and deploy AI/ML models and ML Ops governance for production-grade tools
• Design a scalable Hub-and-Spoke engagement model for rapid adoption across geographies
• Recruit, develop, and retain professionals translating science problems into digital solutions
• Serve as senior advocate for digital R&D transformation with cross-functional coalitions

Skills

Digital transformation

Leadership

Strategy

R&D

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

PLM

ELN

LIMS

Job description

Kraft Heinz seeks a Director, R&D - Digital Transformation to define the digital strategy for the North America R&D organization and build the capabilities to scale a multidisciplinary function. This greenfield role will establish the vision, operating model, and multi-year resourcing plan to accelerate innovation and shorten time-to-market.

The leader will design a Hub-and-Spoke model, recruit and develop talent, integrate PLM/ELN/LIMS into a unified data platform, and drive AI-enabled