R&D Manager, Taste Elevation — Lead Condiment Innovation

heinz; Warrendale (Allegheny County); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Heinz is seeking a Manager R&D, Taste Elevation Business Continuity to lead product development across multiple cross-functional projects and brands including Heinz, Kraft, and Miracle Whip. You will coach a team of developers, translate business needs into practical development plans, and ensure timely commercialization.

The role requires strong technical judgment, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to balance people leadership with project execution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree plus 6+ years product development experience in CPG/food & beverage
• Demonstrated people leadership experience including coaching and developing technical talent
• Strong knowledge of ingredients, product formulation, processing equipment and lab methods
• Proven ability to lead development and commercialization across multiple projects
• Strong communication, influencing, project management and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work in fast-paced, cross-functional environments with changing priorities
• Willingness to travel up to 30% (US and Canada)

Responsibilities

• Lead product development across cross-functional projects and categories within Taste Elevation
• Coach and develop a team of product developers and set priorities
• Translate business objectives and regulatory requirements into clear development plans
• Partner with cross-functional teams to drive progress and meet timelines
• Lead product testing, qualification, and commercialization across lab, pilot plant, and production environments
• Communicate findings, risks, and implications to stakeholders and leadership
• Build effective ways of working across teams to improve execution and accountability
• Demonstrate flexibility to learn new categories and processing areas

Skills

People leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Communication

Problem solving

Technical judgment

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Life Sciences

Master's degree in related field

PhD in related field

Job description

Heinz is seeking a Manager R&D, Taste Elevation Business Continuity to lead product development across multiple cross-functional projects and brands including Heinz, Kraft, and Miracle Whip. You will coach a team of developers, translate business needs into practical development plans, and ensure timely commercialization.

The role requires strong technical judgment, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to balance people leadership with project execution.