R&D Manager, Taste Elevation

Kraft Heinz, Inc.; Pennsylvania; Hybrid; USD 104,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Wellbeing programs

401k plan

Paid time off

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

Kraft Heinz Innovation Center in Warrendale, PA seeks an experienced Manager R&D, Taste Elevation to lead product development and a capable team across multiple brands. You will translate business needs and regulatory requirements into practical development plans, driving projects from concept to commercialization with strong cross-functional collaboration.

You will mentor staff, manage priorities, and ensure rigorous technical execution in a fast-paced, hybrid work environment with up to 30%

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Life Sciences, or a related field with 6+ years in product development in CPG or related industry; or Master’s with 5+ years; or PhD with 4+ years.
• Demonstrated people leadership, coaching, and talent development experience.
• Strong knowledge of ingredients, formulation, processing equipment, and lab test methods.
• Ability to lead multiple projects across priorities and communicate clearly with stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel up to 30% across US/Canada.

Responsibilities

• Lead product development across cross-functional projects and categories within Taste Elevation, including brand maintenance and portfolio evolution.
• Manage, coach, and develop a team of product developers, setting priorities and providing feedback.
• Translate business objectives and regulatory requirements into clear development plans from concept to commercialization.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to drive project progress, resolve issues, and meet timelines.
• Lead product testing, qualification, and commercialization across lab, pilot plant, and production environments.
• Apply technical judgment to formulate ingredients and processes and guide team decisions.
• Communicate findings, risks, and recommendations to leadership and stakeholders.
• Manage multiple priorities, identify tradeoffs, and ensure clear execution and accountability.
• Build effective ways of working across teams and travel to external sites as needed.
• Mentor and develop colleagues to strengthen capability and business results.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Problem solving

Regulatory awareness

Education

B.S. in Food Science / Chemistry / Chemical Engineering / Life Sciences

M.S. in related field

Ph.D. in related field

Job description

Kraft Heinz Innovation Center in Warrendale, PA seeks an experienced Manager R&D, Taste Elevation to lead product development and a capable team across multiple brands. You will translate business needs and regulatory requirements into practical development plans, driving projects from concept to commercialization with strong cross-functional collaboration.

You will mentor staff, manage priorities, and ensure rigorous technical execution in a fast-paced, hybrid work environment with up to 30%