Head of Engineering & Capital Projects (Equity)

Kraft Heinz; Illinois; On-site; USD 190,000 - 238,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Equity / Long-Term Incentive

Performance-based bonus eligibility

Wellbeing programs

401(k)

Job summary

Kraft Heinz in Chicago seeks a strategic Head of Engineering to lead the engineering function, drive CapEx governance, and coordinate cross-functional execution across plants. You will shape capital plans, manage financial scoping, and present CARs to executives, while mentoring staff and upholding safety and quality standards.

The role requires a strong background in engineering leadership, 10–15 years of experience, and deep knowledge of Kraft Heinz processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering is required.
• 10-15 years' experience in engineering, project management and/or technical leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders of the organization.
• Food manufacturing background and desirable understanding of meat processing, cheese manufacturing and refrigeration overall.
• Possess a credible authority both internal and external.
• Excellent knowledge of the Kraft Heinz Operation processes and Engineering Playbook.
• Experience leading cross functional initiatives across multiple plants / businesses - preferred.
• Experience implementing improvement strategies across multiple plants / businesses - preferred.
• Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis

Responsibilities

• Leads and directs the Engineering function with direct responsibility to CapEx process.
• Acts as a liaison with departments, sub-contractors and vendors in resolving problems related to design, manufacture, product acceptance from a technical standpoint, product performance, competitive cost and quality assurance.
• Although not a design function, it is expected that the Head of Engineer can constructively challenge the technical solves presented and drive optimal and sustaining solves to projects to the applicable factories.
• The BU head of Engineering is responsible for developing the 1 to 3 year capital plan for the overall business unit in collaboration with the BU lead and Zone Technical Leader equating, cost, resources and timelines
• Responsible to accurately scoping the financial components of the project and its cash flow in collaboration with the Finance department
• Adherence to the CapEx stage gate process with leading roles in the technical peer reviews before project CAR submission
• Approval of the CAR document (when whenever needed by a project) and ability to concisely and convincedly present the project CAR to different executive approval committees
• Assigns engineering design, program, project review and job release activity to technical project engineers. Assists various engineering staff in coordination of all engineering activities, including the CAPEX Projects & Systems process.
• Strong analytical reasoning and critical thinking to propose project options and evaluate trade-offs necessary to deliver the best technical project solve
• Ability to factor other key areas such as EHS and FQS as part of the project requests
• Ability to understand and incorporate maintenance requirements as part of capital projects
• Develops and formally documents, improved processes, procedures and standards.
• Develops performance guidelines/standards for engineering staff; defines and sets departmental and individual staff goals in support of management objectives. Evaluates staff performance in relationship to the established goals and objectives.
• Serves as an advisor to other technical personnel and plant project engineers

Skills

Influence senior leaders

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering

Job description

Kraft Heinz in Chicago seeks a strategic Head of Engineering to lead the engineering function, drive CapEx governance, and coordinate cross-functional execution across plants. You will shape capital plans, manage financial scoping, and present CARs to executives, while mentoring staff and upholding safety and quality standards.

The role requires a strong background in engineering leadership, 10–15 years of experience, and deep knowledge of Kraft Heinz processes.