Lead, R&D - Margin Enhancement, Product

Kraft Heinz; Glenview (IL); Hybrid; USD 141,500 - 176,900; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonus

Job summary

Kraft Heinz in Glenview, IL is seeking an R&D Margin Enhancement Product Group Lead to spearhead the Central Product Productivity team, partnering with Platform R&D, Procurement, Operations, and cross-functional partners to hit productivity targets for North America.

The role blends strong product development with disciplined project leadership, including managing pilots, plant trials, and commercialization of value engineering projects, with a hybrid on-site schedule.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related field with 11+ years in R&D product development.
• Proven experience leading high-performing teams and managing people managers.
• Experience leading product development programs from concept to commercialization.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, scale-up, and pilot plant experience.
• Willingness to travel up to 10% for on-site reviews and supplier sessions.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Own cross-BU ingredient and formulation value engineering pipeline and delivery with Platform R&D teams.
• Collaborate across R&D and external partners to define requirements, milestones, timelines, and success criteria.
• Identify opportunities with Procurement and Operations across North America.
• Maintain relationships with EPDM region and share best practices.
• Lead a team of managers and scientists through scoping exercises, pilot plant runs, plant trials, and commercialization.
• Build and maintain integrated project plans with deliverables, gates, budgets, resources.
• Lead project reviews, provide status reporting, escalate risks and decisions.
• Ensure compliance with quality, regulatory, food safety, and shelf-life requirements.
• Mentor junior scientists and strengthen execution capability.
• Manage the Product Productivity ZBB budget.

Skills

Team leadership

Project leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related field

Job description

Job DescriptionAs the R&D Margin Enhancement Product Group Lead, you will lead the Central Product Productivity team. This role partners closely with Platform and Central R&D, Procurement, Operations, and cross-functional stakeholders to deliver against total productivity targets for the North American Region and the Business Units. The ideal candidate combines strong product development expertise with disciplined project leadership and has a proven track record of navigating technical risk, development challenges, and cross-functional execution.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Own the cross-BU ingredient and formulation value engineering pipeline and delivery, in partnership with the Platform R&D teams.
• Collaborate within R&D, including Platforms, NGIAN, Central Packaging, Consumer Experience, Culinary, and Commercialization, as well as Quality, Regulatory, Procurement, Operations, and external partners to define requirements, milestones, timelines, and success criteria, enabling consumer-validated, right-first-time launches.
• Partner with Procurement and Operations to identify opportunities across the North American Region through the Champions process, pipeline workshops, and supplier sessions.
• Maintain a close working relationship with the Europe and Pacific Developed Markets (EPDM) Region productivity team, sharing best practices and developing enterprise-wide processes.
• Lead a team of managers and scientists, guiding scoping exercises, pilot plant runs, plant trials, and commercialization of value engineering projects, serving as the central point of contact for cross-functional partners.
• Build and maintain integrated project plans, including technical deliverables, decision gates, budgets, and resource needs.
• Lead project reviews, provide clear status reporting, and proactively escalate risks, trade-offs, and decisions.
• Ensure compliance with quality, regulatory, food safety (as applicable), and shelf-life requirements.
• Mentor and coach junior scientists and strengthen project execution capability.
• Accountable for the overall Product Productivity ZBB budget.

People Management Responsibilities

• Team (salaried): 3 direct reports, total team of 11.

Expected Experience & Required Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biological Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, or related field, with 11+ years of progress experience in R&D product development within consumer goods, food and beverage, or similar industries (10 years with a Master’s, or 9 years with a PhD), demonstrating increasing scope of responsibility.
• Proven experience building and leading high-performing teams, including direct management of people managers, with a track record of developing talent.
• Demonstrated experience leading product development programs, from concept through commercialization.
• Demonstrate experience leading product development teams.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, scale-up, and industrialization, including hands-on experience with pilot plants and commercial production runs.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional technical teams and influence without authority.
• Solid project leadership skills, including planning, risk management, and stakeholder communication.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Experience leading complex product launches.
• Hands-on experience with pilot plants and commercial production runs.
• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time to support on-site reviews and supplier sessions.

Work Environment & Schedule

• This position operates primarily in a hybrid work environment and is based at the Kraft Heinz R&D Innovation Center in Glenview, IL. Our hybrid model provides flexibility based on business needs, allowing employees to work virtually up to two days per week, with an expectation to work on-site at least three days per week at the Glenview Innovation Center.

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) Glenview R&D 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.