Manager, Procurement - Innovation (Elevation)

Kraft Heinz; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 104,200 - 130,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

401k retirement plan

Flexible work arrangements

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Kraft Heinz is seeking a Procurement Manager for Innovation based in Chicago/Aon Center. The role involves responsible management of external manufacturing portfolios and innovation strategies for food and beverage categories. The successful candidate will have at least 3 years of experience in procurement, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to foster supplier relationships.

This role offers a competitive salary range between $104,200.00 and $130,200.00, along with performance-based bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in Procurement or Finance.
• Demonstrated knowledge or experience in food or beverage manufacturing process.
• Results oriented and able to execute innovation strategies.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Execute the external innovation strategy for Kraft Heinz’s product categories.
• Support commercialization on scale-up innovations.
• Create effective supplier relationships and performance accountability.
• Conduct landscape analysis to identify potential suppliers.

Skills

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Leadership

Process engineering experience

Microsoft Office Suite

Education

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, operations, finance, business, or equivalent

MBA or advanced Procurement qualifications (CPM, CPIM)

Tools

SAP

Ariba

Job description

As the Procurement Manager for Innovation you will be responsible for external manufacturing portfolio management, external innovation, growth and performance of several EM categories in the Elevation Business Unit. Success in the role requires a strategic sourcing expert who will work closely with small to medium-sized External Manufacturers, Finance, Operations, Legal, Quality, and directly with external manufacturing category managers.

Primary Responsibilities

• Execute the external innovation strategy development and deployment for Kraft Heinz’s food and beverage product categories.
• Execute the External Innovation Deployment process for new product innovations, taking product concepts and ideas from incubation at small scale pilot facilities through accelerated test market launches to full-scale factory production and national launch.
• Support for external manufacturing Category Managers on commercialization on scale-up innovations.
• Responsible for strategic sourcing activities related to supplier selection, including competitive bidding, sourcing selection, commercial terms negotiation, including IP and CAPEX strategies, contracting, supplier onboarding (system on-boarding and establishing ways of working), and being the primary relationship liaison between KHC and the vendor throughout commercialization, launch, and initial product lifecycle.
• Create and foster effective supplier relationships and performance accountability as well as leverage their expertise and capabilities to accelerate and streamline the execution of our innovation pipeline.
• Conduct landscape analysis to identify and evaluate existing and potential suppliers that have the required capabilities to execute our innovation projects.
• Facilitate forums to identify areas of opportunity within Kraft Heinz innovation processes and implement best practices, new ways of working, and/or processes to streamline efficiency and effectiveness related to strategic sourcing, supplier development, and procurement’s role in commercialization of new product(s).
• Responsible to effectively execute supplier segmentation according to Kraft Heinz principles and implement the corresponding supplier relationship management routines; including business performance reviews, continuous improvement opportunities, sustainability, quality, service, and cost management.
• Execute supplier led innovation through Supplier relationships and internal stakeholder management aligning capabilities and technology with the needs of the business. Foster collaboration between Kraft Heinz and external partners to unlock growth and value.

Expected Experience & Required Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, operations, finance, business, or equivalent. MBA and/or advanced Procurement qualifications preferred (CPM, CPIM, etc.). Candidates with an equivalent combination of experience and/or education will be considered in lieu of a degree. Minimum of 3 years’ experience in Procurement (i.e., Indirect, CAPEX, Ingredients, Packaging), and/or Finance. Process engineering experience is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge or experience in food or beverage manufacturing process.
• Enjoy working in a fast-paced environment with other driven stakeholders.
• Results oriented, driven, and able to execute innovation strategies.
• Process-thinking mindset to drive new processes and value streams.
• Ability to effectively negotiate and influence business decisions and change.
• Strong written, verbal, and analytical skills, as well as interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Leadership role experience and preferably experience working in diverse teams and matrix organizations.
• Ability to quickly develop a level of organizational agility, i.e., know how to get things done both through formal and informal channels.
• Ability to balance competing priorities and spend their time and the time of others on what’s most important.
• Able to multitask and juggle projects at varying levels of complexity.
• Have strong analytical, planning, and execution skills, including exceptional attention to detail.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and have an understanding for source-to-pay tools (SAP, Ariba, etc.).

Work Environment & Schedule

This position is considered a Normal office environment with limited travel or visits to external locations; offices are open workspaces. To create a more agile and modern workplace, we allow Chicago/Aon Center based employees to work virtually for up to two days each week and expect them to work in-person during the defined core days at their assigned work location at least three days per workweek.

New Hire Base Salary Range

$104,200.00 - $130,200.00

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.
• 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

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.

Location(s)

Chicago/Aon Center

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.