Prinicpal Scientist, R&D - Product Dev

The Kraft Heinz Company; Glenview (IL); On-site; USD 104,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Kraft Heinz Company is seeking a Principal Scientist to lead Sliced Cheese technical programs across North America. Based in Glenview, IL, you will drive growth, productivity, and product quality through cross-functional leadership and strategic thinking.

Travel ~30% to partner with plants and suppliers. You will oversee development pipelines, design experiments, and mentor junior developers while ensuring food safety and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or higher in Food Science, Dairy Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biological Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, or related field with relevant experience.
• Strong leadership and ability to coach/inspire teams.
• Proven experience translating consumer tests into product development strategy.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical development and delivery of strategic 3YP for sliced cheese categories.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to translate research into business opportunities.
• Manage projects, timelines, risk assessments, and contingency plans with clear communication.
• Drive speed to market with first-time-right execution and maintain product quality.

Skills

Leadership

R&D commercialization

Project management

Communication

Cross-functional teaming

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science / related field

Master’s degree (preferred)

PhD (advanced)

Tools

Design of Experiments

Ingredient functionality

Job description

Job Description

Principal Scientist, Sliced Cheese Technical Category Manager

Come grow your R&D career at KHC with this exciting opportunity to join the Process Cheese team! This R&D Principal Scientist role will manage Process Cheese categories and brands and build strong technical and consumer focus to drive our core business across North America within the Meat, Cheese, Coffee, and Snacking Business Unit. This role interfaces directly with the business and offers the ability to lead technically challenging projects and initiatives focused on growth, productivity, and brand maintenance. Success in the role requires cross-functional leadership, strategic influence, problem solving, end-to-end understanding of product development, and prioritization to drive multiple projects simultaneously. Successful candidate will have a technical background in food science/engineering, demonstrated cross-functional leadership and communication capabilities, strength in the commercialization process, proven ability to design product testing at plant scale, a growth mindset, and powerful teamwork skills. If you’re looking to bring your leadership to a team that is technical and passionate about all things cheese, this is the place for you!

This role will be based out of the Glenview, IL Kraft Heinz Innovation Center and will require travel approximately 30% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical development and delivery of strategic 3YP for Sliced cheese categories, including growth, productivity, and maintenance

• Operate from technical seat as a holistic business partner, connecting business needs to technical solutions and strategy, translating research findings into substantial business opportunities, and building strategic execution plans with cross-functional teams

• Work directly with cross-functional teams, plants, and suppliers as the R&D category manager to manage projects and direct developers across all projects in the category

• Run technical timelines, provide clear and timely communication, complete risk assessments, raise issues, and develop contingency plans demonstrating strong project management skills

• Operate with agility and drive for results with big picture context to ensure speed to market with right first time execution

• Communicate regularly with the R&D and cross-functional leadership teams

• Lead budgets and dotted line resources for projects and initiatives within the category

• Design and implement tests, analyze data, draw conclusions, document findings, present results, and commercialize products

• Interface with all related technical experts and internal category scientists to understand technologies and applications

• Elevate the competence and know-how of junior developers through training, coaching, and external networking

• 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 and quality specifications that deliver consistent, high-quality products

• Adopt a culture of diversity & inclusion, sustainability, learning, and working like an owner

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree – Food Science, Dairy Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biological Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, or related field plus a minimum of 6 years of product development experience within CPG, food and beverage, or a related industry; or master’s degree plus a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, or PhD plus a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience

• Ability to lead, coach, develop, and inspire others while driving engagement within the team

• Strong experience in R&D commercialization with a high degree of autonomy

• Experience in translating consumer testing results into product development strategy and execution

• Strong learning agility and ability to think on the fly

• Ability to work effectively in a team environment, managing a complex network of stakeholders

• Understanding of ingredient interactions/functionality

• Self-motivated problem solver and critical thinker with the drive to deliver objectives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment

• Manage multiple assignments/tasks concurrently with the ability to prioritize work for self and others

• Experience across a broad range of cheese and dairy ingredients, formulations, and manufacturing processes desired but not a prerequisite

• Understanding of Design of Experiments

• Excellent verbal and written communication

• Excellent influencing skills

• Willingness to travel 30% pending business needs. Travel could include (but not limited to): within 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 savingfor the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family’s needs. Coveragefor 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 aphysical, 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)

Glenview R&D 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.