R&D Manager: Product Development Lead

Kraft Heinz; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Kraft Heinz is seeking an R&D Manager, Away From Home and KHI Product Development, to lead development across multiple projects and guide a team of product developers. You will translate business needs into practical plans, drive execution, and ensure projects move from concept to commercialization while balancing maintenance and innovation.

The role requires strong leadership, technical judgment, and cross-functional collaboration across R&D, operations, quality, regulatory, marketing, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Life Sciences, or related field with 6+ years of product development in CPG or related industry; or Master’s with 5+ years, or PhD with 4+ years

Responsibilities

• Lead product development across cross-functional AFHI projects including productivity, maintenance, brand maintenance, and renovation work
• Coach and develop a team of product developers; set priorities and build capabilities
• Translate business objectives into clear development plans from concept through commercialization
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive progress and meet timelines
• Lead product testing, qualification, and commercialization in lab, pilot plant, and production environments
• Apply scientific judgment to formulation challenges and guide decision-making
• Communicate findings and risks clearly to stakeholders and leadership
• Balance multiple priorities and identify tradeoffs across initiatives and maintenance work
• Support core AFHI priorities and innovation efforts through technical execution
• Strengthen team and cross-functional collaboration for better execution and accountability
• Demonstrate flexibility to learn new categories, technologies, and processing areas
• Ensure high-quality documentation and rigorous execution across development work
• Mentor colleagues to improve capability and business results

Skills

People leadership

Product development

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Problem solving

Travel up to 30%

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science / Chemistry / Chemical Engineering

Master’s degree or PhD preferred

Job description

Kraft Heinz is seeking an R&D Manager, Away From Home and KHI Product Development, to lead development across multiple projects and guide a team of product developers. You will translate business needs into practical plans, drive execution, and ensure projects move from concept to commercialization while balancing maintenance and innovation.

The role requires strong leadership, technical judgment, and cross-functional collaboration across R&D, operations, quality, regulatory, marketing, and