Manager, R&D – Packaging Margin Enhancement

Kraft Heinz; Illinois; On-site; USD 104,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Kraft Heinz is seeking a packaging R&D leader to drive medium-to-high complexity productivity projects across categories. You will guide developers from concept through commercialization, oversee plant-scale tests, and translate findings into business opportunities for cross-functional leadership.

Responsibilities include partnering with plants, suppliers and internal experts to evaluate packaging technologies, ensure quality, manage timelines and budgets, and mentor junior developers while

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field required; Master's degree preferred.
• Experience in CPG packaging R&D with leadership responsibilities.
• Proficiency in DoE and data-driven decision making.

Responsibilities

• Lead packaging productivity projects across categories from concept to commercialization.
• Design and oversee plant-scale packaging tests and guide data analysis and communication of results.
• Partner with suppliers, plants, and internal experts to evaluate and implement packaging technologies and materials.
• Ensure quality requirements are embedded into specifications and consumer-ready products are delivered.
• Manage timelines, budgets, and resource allocation for multiple concurrent initiatives.

Skills

Design of Experiments (DoE)

Data-driven decision making

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Travel flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field

Job description

• Lead medium-to-high complexity packaging productivity projects across all categories and provide technical direction to developers from concept through commercialization
• Design and oversee plant-scale packaging tests and guide developers in data analysis, conclusions, documentation, and results communication
• Translate R&D findings into quantifiable business opportunities and present recommendations to cross-functional and BU leadership
• Partner with suppliers, plants, co-manufacturers, and internal technical experts to evaluate and implement packaging technologies and materials
• Ensure quality requirements are clearly defined and embedded into specifications, delivering consistent, consumer-ready products
• Serve as a primary R&D point of contact for BU R&D Leads, maintaining regular, transparent communication on project status and risks
• Support cross-functional teams (Marketing, Supply Chain, Procurement, Operations) to drive speed-to-market on packaging initiatives
• Own project timelines, risk assessments, issue escalation, and contingency planning across a portfolio of concurrent initiatives
• Manage team budgets and resource allocation to ensure delivery of in-year and pipeline projects
• Guide developers through project commercialization activities with strong technical rigor, ensuring statistical tools, technical excellence methods, and documentation best practices are consistently applied.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of junior packaging developers through structured development plans, workload balancing, and performance feedback
• Elevate team capability through training, stretch assignments, and external industry networking
• Foster a culture of inclusion, sustainability, continuous learning, and owner-mentality

Physical demands include but not limited to Lift up to 30 lbs, navigate lab, storage, and manufacturing environments.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain all duties or responsibilities that are required of the role. Duties or responsibilities may change or be added with or without notice.

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: $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. 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. 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

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field required; Master's degree preferred.
• 6+ years of experience in CPG packaging R&D, with demonstrated progression in technical and leadership scope
• Proven track record of leading packaging commercialization projects end-to-end with high autonomy
• Experience managing or mentoring direct reports, with strong coaching and development skills
• Proficiency in Design of Experiments (DoE) and data-driven decision-making
• Strong understanding of packaging materials, structures, and their interactions with food products
• Exceptional project management skills and able to manage competing priorities across a complex stakeholder network
• High learning agility with the ability to adapt quickly in a dynamic, ambiguous environment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with demonstrated ability to influence without authority
• Willingness to travel up to 30% domestically (U.S. and Canada), including visits to internal plants, co-manufacturers, and suppliers