Principal Scientist, R&D Product Innovation Lead

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

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Wellbeing programs

401k

Job summary

Kraft Heinz is seeking a Principal Scientist in R&D – Product Development to lead front-end innovation and scale-up across our Elevation Growth portfolio. This hands-on leader shapes concepts, mentors teams, and partners across consumer research, lab, and manufacturing to deliver robust sauces and dressings.

The role emphasizes experimental design, data storytelling, and cross-functional influence, with ~30% travel and a competitive rewards package.

Qualifications

• BS in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Microbiology or Agricultural Science with 6+ years' experience commercializing products end-to-end in food/CPG.
• Strong understanding of ingredients, interactions, and food product lab methods.
• Executional excellence, leadership, and consumer focus are essential.
• Ability to design experiments, plan steps, and adapt when hurdles arise.
• Excellent communication, influencing, project management and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to lead, coach and motivate others.
• Experience authoring specifications and control plans to protect design.
• Hands-on scale-up from bench to factory with plant trials and process validation.
• Knowledge of DoE, SPC, Cp/Cpk, and data interpretation (Minitab or equivalent).
• Ability to travel ~30% across US/Canada to plants, co-manufacturers, and suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Lead product development as the front-end innovator evaluating briefs for feasibility, cost, risk, and timelines.
• Expand formulation knowledge across sauces, condiments, and dressings to support the Elevation Growth portfolio.
• Create consumer-insight-led concepts with clear RTBs and technical enablers.
• Translate complex technical content for operators, partners, and executives using narratives and data storytelling.
• Manage product testing and qualification with cross-functional teams in research, lab, and manufacturing.
• Prioritize multiple projects and resolve conflicts between business initiatives.
• Mentor junior R&D team members and raise technical standards through reviews and coaching.
• Experience with processed cheese formulation, emulsification chemistry, and texture/flavor development (preferred).

Skills

Project management

Design of Experiments

Mentoring leadership

Communication skills

Data interpretation

Problem solving

Regulatory awareness

Minitab analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field (6+ yrs exp)

Master's degree with 5+ yrs exp

Tools

Minitab

Job description

Kraft Heinz is seeking a Principal Scientist in R&D – Product Development to lead front-end innovation and scale-up across our Elevation Growth portfolio. This hands-on leader shapes concepts, mentors teams, and partners across consumer research, lab, and manufacturing to deliver robust sauces and dressings.

The role emphasizes experimental design, data storytelling, and cross-functional influence, with ~30% travel and a competitive rewards package.