R&D Scientist: Product Development & Scale-Up

Kraft Heinz; Glenview (IL); Hybrid; USD 78,000 - 97,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus program

Healthcare benefits

401k plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Kraft Heinz seeks a Scientist for Away From Home and KHI Product Development at the Glenview R&D Center. You will translate business needs into development plans, drive scale-up through commercialization, and collaborate with plants to troubleshoot and ensure product quality across categories.

The role requires strong technical judgment, project management, and the ability to balance multiple priorities with clear communication. Hybrid schedule and travel up to 30% are expected.

Qualifications

• BS in Food Science or related field with 2 years relevant experience, or MS with 1 year relevant experience, or PhD with no relevant experience required.
• Product development and commercialization experience.
• Understanding of ingredient functionality and interrelationship of ingredients and process.
• Excellent communication, influencing, prioritization, and project management skills.
• Ability to lead, coach, and motivate others; manage multiple assignments concurrently.

Responsibilities

• Support product development across multiple cross-functional projects and product categories within Away From Home / KHI.
• Drive product development workstreams from formulation through scale-up and start-up with cross-functional guidance.
• Lead ideation to commercialization from benchtop to final production and spec.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to advance projects and meet timelines.
• Serve as R&D point person for manufacturing plants, supporting operations and quality issues.
• Lead product testing, qualification, and commercialization across lab, pilot plant, and production.
• Communicate findings, risks, and implications clearly to stakeholders.
• Manage technical timelines, raise issues and adjust plans as needed.
• Interface with technical experts and cross-functional partners to understand technologies and business needs.

Skills

Communication

Project management

Critical thinking

Leadership

Education

BS in Food Science or related field

MS with 1 year relevant experience

PhD with no required experience

Job description

Kraft Heinz seeks a Scientist for Away From Home and KHI Product Development at the Glenview R&D Center. You will translate business needs into development plans, drive scale-up through commercialization, and collaborate with plants to troubleshoot and ensure product quality across categories.

The role requires strong technical judgment, project management, and the ability to balance multiple priorities with clear communication. Hybrid schedule and travel up to 30% are expected.