Principal Scientist, R&D - Product Dev

heinz; Glenview (IL); On-site; USD 104,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonus

Healthcare coverage

Total Rewards program

Job summary

Kraft Heinz is seeking a senior Packaging leader to identify growth opportunities within the MCCS platform, drive commercialization, and manage end-to-end packaging programs for Lunchables and Adult Snacking. You will partner with Core, Innovation, and Club Marketing to deliver cost-advantaged solutions.

The role requires strong background in packaging materials, design of experiments, and excellent communication with global teams. Travel up to 30% may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in Packaging, Mechanical, Materials, Chemical Engineering or related degree.
• Master's degree in a related field with 6+ years experience or PhD with 5+ years experience.
• Strong communication, leadership, project management and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end packaging commercialization on platform projects, including scale-up, qualification, and launch.
• Translate consumer insights into packaging design requirements focusing on usability and freshness.
• Identify growth opportunities, build business cases, and present to leadership.
• Collaborate with Brand/Insights to design and interpret packaging-focused consumer tests.
• Build relationships with suppliers and industry partners to advance technology pathways.
• Provide mentorship to junior developers and lead cross-enterprise initiatives.

Skills

Packaging strategy

Data analysis

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's in Packaging, Mechanical, Materials, or Chemical Engineering

Master's in related field

PhD in related field

Job description

Job Overview:

This position offers an excellent opportunity to identify , drive, commercialize, and lead growth and innovation in packaging technology within the MCCS (Meat/Cheese/Coffee/Snacking) platform, with a specific focus on Lunchables and Adult Snacking. The role serves as the Packaging point of contact, working directly with Core, Innovation, and Club Mkt, and is instrumental in delivering novel, competitive, and cost-advantaged solutions.

Job Duties :

• Work with internal teams and cross-functional partners to understand portfolio and strategy opportunities and build solid plans with defined timing and deliverables.
• Identify and quantify growth spaces (e.g., new usage occasions, formats, channel needs like Club).
• Build business cases for innovation bets (value creation, cost, risk, timing, resource asks) and present to leadership.
• Translate consumer insights into packaging design requirements (ease-of-use, freshness perception , portability, convenience).
• Lead end-to-end packaging commercialization on key platform projects - owning scale-up trials, qualification/validation, launch execution, and post-launch stabilization - to deliver high-quality packaging to on time and at target cost.
• Partner with Brand/Insights to define and interpret packaging-focused consumer tests (what to test, success criteria).
• Ability to ideate novel ideas for new product solutions .
• Lead multiple/large initiatives with complex scopes and/or cross enterprise platforms concurrently.
• Act as technical/commercialization expert for junior developers and flex onto projects requiring problem solving.
• Execute research plans, including patent/literature reviews, tech documentation, prototyping, lab testing, consumer testing, qualification on pilot and/or production equipment, provide solutions to hurdles and provide next steps, with updates to leadership.
• Strong data analysis experience (understanding and processing of complex data systems) .
• Build and coordinate relationships with suppliers, technology, and industry partners to drive technology pathways.
• Translate research findings into meaningful recommendations, communicating results and driving decisions and technology adoption.
• Lead and drive functional training and process improvements for the pkg organization.
• Have a high degree of autonomy.

Qualifications :

• Bachelor's in Packaging, Mechanical, Materials, Chemical Engineering or related degree plus minimum 7 years of relevant experience, or master's degree plus minimum 6 years of relevant experience, or PhD degree plus 5 years of relevant experienc e.
• Expert understanding of packaging materials , their barrier properties, standard test methods, qualification and commercialization of multiple packaging formats, design of experiments and ability to coach others in these areas.
• Excellent, proven communication (presentations to global teams, senior leadership , cross functional collaboration ), influencing, project/platform management and problem-solving skills.
• Strong ability to lead, coach and motivate others.
• Understanding or risks as well as ability to provide multiple solutions to business as options for path forward.
• Manage multiple assignments/tasks concurrently with the ability to prioritize work for self and others.
• Influence across packaging value chain externally.
• Willingness to travel 30 %

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.

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.
• 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.

Wellbeing:

We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle