Principal Sci, R&D - Product Dev

Kraft Heinz; Warrendale (OR); On-site; USD 104,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

401(k) plan

Wellbeing programs

Job summary

Kraft Heinz is seeking a Principal Scientist, R&D – Product Development for Elevation Growth at the Heinz Innovation Center. This hands-on technical leader sets a high bar for excellence, shapes front-end innovation, and mentors junior developers across sauces & condiments for Retail markets.

The role emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, DOE, and scale-up from bench to pilot to factory, with up to 30% travel to US/Canada, and a focus on robust process performance.

Qualifications

• BS in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Microbiology, or related field with 6+ years in food/CPG, or 5+ years with a Master's.
• Strong grounding in ingredients, ingredient interactions, and food lab methods.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead product development with cross-functional teams; assess feasibility, cost, risk and go/no-go decisions.
• Expand formulation knowledge across sauces, condiments, and dressings.
• Generate consumer-insight-led concepts with clear RTB and technical enablers.
• Translate complex technical content for diverse audiences using narratives and data.
• Oversee product testing and qualification with R&D, lab, and manufacturing partners.
• Mentor junior staff and raise technical standards through design reviews.

Skills

Design of Experiments

Cross-functional collaboration

Mentoring

Data storytelling

Leadership

Education

BS in Food Science or related field

MS degree preferred

Tools

Minitab

Job description

Job Description

Principal Scientist, R&D – Product Development - Elevation Growth

This role is a hands‑on technical leadership position within our North America Zone. The Principal Scientist serves as a high‑impact individual contributor who sets a high bar for technical excellence, shapes front‑end innovation, and ensures robust product and process performance. This role supports thermally processed Sauces & Condiments product lines (Heinz, Kraft, A.1., Classico, Taco Bell) for Retail markets. The Principal Scientist is expected to lead through influence, establish technical standards, and mentor junior developers as subject‑matter authority.

A proven record of executing plans and driving results, through effective communication and cross‑functional collaboration, in challenging and complex situations is essential for this role, which operates in a dynamic environment. This position requires an individual to manage multiple projects concurrently and demonstrate the ability to complete work with minimal guidance.

Key Components of the role

• Work with cross functional teams acting as the lead product developer to evaluate project briefs for technical feasibility, cost, time‑to‑execute, risk, and probability of success; communicate clear POVs and recommendations (go/no-go/hold).
• Proactively expand formulation capability knowledge in sauces, condiments, and dressing categories—to effectively support innovation and development across the broader Taste Elevation portfolio.
• Front‑end‑Innovation: Generate consumer‑insight‑led concepts that articulate unmet need, benefit statement, and reason‑to‑believe (RTB); author crisp concept briefs with technical enablers and claims pathways.
• Translate complex technical content for diverse audiences—operators, partners, and executives—using structured narratives, visuals, and data storytelling.
• Manage and execute product testing and qualification while working closely with cross‑functional team members in consumer research, laboratory, and manufacturing environments.
• Manage multiple projects concurrently and possess the ability to call out priority conflicts between a variety of business initiatives.
• Mentor junior R&D team members; raise technical standards via coaching, design reviews, and example‑setting.
• (Preferred- Experience with processed cheese formulation including emulsification chemistry, functional ingredient systems, melt and texture optimization, and flavor development across pasteurized process cheese, cheese sauces, and analog/imitation varieties).

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 consumer focus a must.
• 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.
• Manage multiple projects concurrently while exercising critical thinking over prioritization of work and constraints.
• Proven experience authoring specifications (RM, WIP, FG, Trade) and establishing control plans that protect product design.
• Hands‑on scale‑up and commercialization from bench/pilot to factory, including leading plant trials and validating process capability.
• Ability to remain current on evolving regulations and events regarding food science by reviewing scientific literature.
• Strong understanding of Design of Experiments, SPC, capability analysis (Cp/Cpk), and data interpretation using tools such as Minitab or equivalent.
• 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 Support Programs
• Financial – 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Location(s)

Heinz Innovation 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.