Lead Cheese R&D Scientist & Product Innovator

The Kraft Heinz Company; Glenview (IL); On-site; USD 104,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Performance bonus

Wellbeing programs

Job summary

The Kraft Heinz Company in Glenview, IL seeks an R&D Principal Scientist to lead the Sliced Cheese Technical Category. You will drive growth, productivity, and brand maintenance by partnering with plant teams, suppliers, and cross-functional groups. The role emphasizes leadership, consumer-driven development, and robust project management.

Travel about 30% across the US and Canada to internal plants and co-manufacturers while advancing R&D commercialization with autonomy and a growth mindset.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher in a food science related field with multiple years in product development.
• Experience translating consumer results into development strategy and execution.
• Ability to lead and influence across cross-functional teams in a fast-paced setting.
• Strong understanding of ingredient interactions and formulation science.
• Willingness to travel up to 30% across US/Canada.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical development and delivery of strategic 3YP for Sliced cheese categories.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to translate research into business opportunities.
• Manage projects and direct developers across all category projects.
• Oversee timelines, risk assessments, and contingency planning.
• Drive speed to market with first-time-right execution.
• Lead budgets and resource planning for category initiatives.
• Design tests, analyze data, and commercialize products.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Project management

Technical leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Team coaching

Growth mindset

Travel coordination

Education

Bachelor's in Food Science

Master's in Food Science

PhD in related field

Job description

The Kraft Heinz Company in Glenview, IL seeks an R&D Principal Scientist to lead the Sliced Cheese Technical Category. You will drive growth, productivity, and brand maintenance by partnering with plant teams, suppliers, and cross-functional groups. The role emphasizes leadership, consumer-driven development, and robust project management.

Travel about 30% across the US and Canada to internal plants and co-manufacturers while advancing R&D commercialization with autonomy and a growth mindset.