R&D Product Development Lead - Food & Beverage

Kraft Heinz, Inc.; Glenview (IL); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 112,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Dental & Vision coverage

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

Kraft Heinz, Inc. in Glenview, IL, seeks an experienced Product Development Leader to drive innovation, renovation, and brand maintenance across multiple projects.

You will lead formulation, scale-up, and commercialization, while coordinating with cross-functional teams to meet aggressive timelines and ensure product quality. The role demands strong technical judgment, effective communication, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Life Sciences or related field with relevant product development experience.
• Strong knowledge of ingredients, formulation, processing systems and lab methods.
• Proven ability to lead development and commercialization across multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead product development across cross-functional projects within Away From Home / KHI.
• Lead projects from formulation to scale-up and start-up.
• Translate business objectives into development plans and drive execution.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to advance projects and meet timelines.
• Serve as R&D point person for manufacturing plants and support operations.
• Lead product testing, qualification, and commercialization across labs and production.
• Communicate findings and risks clearly to stakeholders.
• Manage timelines, raise issues, and adjust plans as needed.
• Balance multiple priorities including brand maintenance work.
• Interface with technical experts to understand technologies and business needs.
• Monitor trends and competitive activity within categories.

Skills

Product development leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Communication skills

Problem solving

Education

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

Master's degree (related field)

Job description

Kraft Heinz, Inc. in Glenview, IL, seeks an experienced Product Development Leader to drive innovation, renovation, and brand maintenance across multiple projects.

You will lead formulation, scale-up, and commercialization, while coordinating with cross-functional teams to meet aggressive timelines and ensure product quality. The role demands strong technical judgment, effective communication, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.