Principal Sci, R&D - Product Dev

heinz; Warrendale (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 104,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus program

Health benefits

Flexible work arrangements

Wellbeing programs

Job summary

Kraft Heinz is seeking a Principal Scientist, R&D - Product Development to lead cross-functional product development across Emulsified lines (Mayo, Dressings, Aioli) and broader Sauces & Condiments.

The role requires a strong food science/engineering background, DOE design of experiments, and ability to commercialize products with plant-scale testing. Travel up to 30% across US/Canada is expected.

Qualifications

• BS in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Microbiology or Agricultural Science with 5–6 years of end-to-end food product commercialization.
• Strong understanding of ingredients, interactions, and lab test methods.
• Executional excellence, leadership and customer focus a must.
• Self-motivated problem solver who delivers in a complex environment.
• Ability to design experiments, anticipate steps, and adjust course when hurdles appear.
• Excellent communication and project management skills; ability to lead and motivate others.
• Willingness to travel up to 30% across US/Canada.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional product development across multiple projects.
• Drive execution across projects and communicate progress clearly.
• Translate research findings to cross-functional teams.
• Manage product testing and qualification in lab and production settings.
• Ensure product quality and food safety requirements are defined and met.
• Run technical timelines, assess risks, and develop contingency plans.
• Mentor and coach colleagues within and outside of your team.

Skills

Executional excellence

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Problem solving

Team mentorship

Multi-project management

Education

BS in Food Science

Chemical Engineering

Biochemistry

Microbiology

Agricultural Science

Master's degree (optional)

Job description

Job Description

Principal Scientist, R&D - Product Development - Elevate Growth

This is a Research and Development (R&D) role leading Product Development initiatives within the Sauces & Condiments technical platform. The role offers a variety of businesses to support across our Emulsified product lines (Kraft Mayo, Kraft Salad Dressings, Miracle Whip, Kraft Aioli), as well as the broader Sauces & Condiments categories (Heinz Mustard, Grey Poupon) for our Retail business. The Principal Scientist is expected to provide leadership for and execution of projects across platforms. The candidate should have a proven record of executing work plans and driving for results in a variety of challenging and complex settings, across multiple categories.

Success in the role requires cross-functional collaboration, strategic influence, problem solving, and prioritization to lead multiple projects simultaneously . Successful candidates will have a technical background in food science/engineering, demonstrate strength in the commercialization process, proven ability to design product testing at plant scale, a growth mindset, and powerful teamwork skills .

Key Components of the role

• Work with cross-functional teams acting as the lead product developer to drive execution across multiple projects
• Demonstrates the willingness/ability to learn new product categories
• Translate research findings and communicate to cross-functional teams
• Manage and execute product testing and qualification while working closely with cross-functional team members in laboratory and production environments
• Collaborate with teams to understand and ensure product quality and food safety requirements are defined and delivered through the completion of raw material, finished product specifications that deliver consistent, high-quality products
• Run technical timelines, provide clear and timely communication, complete risk assessments, raise issues, and develop contingency plans demonstrating strong project management skills
• Manage multiple projects concurrently and possess the ability to call out priority conflicts between a variety of business initiatives
• Mentor, coach and collaborate with other colleagues within and outside of your immediate team

Qualifications

• BS in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Agricultural Science with minimum of 6 years of experience successfully commercializing products end-to-end in the food or CPG industry or minimum 5 years ' experience with Master's Degree
• Strong understanding of key subject matter in areas such as ingredients, ingredient interactions, and food product laboratory test methods
• Executional excellence, personal leadership and customer focus a must
• Self-motivated problem solver and the drive to deliver objectives in a complex environment.
• The ability to plan, put together well thought out design of experiments, anticipate next steps and incorporate course corrections when hurdles appear
• Excellent communication, influencing, project management and problem-solving skills
• Ability to lead, coach and motivate others
• Highly motivated and ability to multi-task complex projects
• Manage multiple projects concurrently with the ability to question the priority of work
• Strong understanding of Design of Experiments
• Willingness to travel 30%. Travel could include (but not limited to): United States and Canada to internal plants, co-manufacturers, and suppliers

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 Su