R&D Scientist, Product Development - Shelf-Stable Meals

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401k

Paid time off

Flexible work arrangements

Employee assistance program

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Job summary

Kraft Heinz is seeking an R&D Scientist to lead product development for Shelf Stable Meals within the Hydration, Desserts, and Meals BU. You will drive projects across iconic brands such as Velveeta Shells & Cheese, Kraft Deluxe Mac & Cheese, and Cracker Barrel Mac & Cheese, delivering growth and innovative solutions.

Position is based at the Heinz Innovation Center in Glenview, IL. The role requires 2+ years of relevant experience (or 1 year with a Master’s) in related fields, strong

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biological Engineering or a related scientific field with a minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience, or Master’s degree with minimum one (1) year of related experience.
• Process cheese experience preferred but not required.
• Understanding of ingredient functionality and interrelationship of ingredients and process.
• Highly motivated and able to multi-task varying degrees of complex projects.
• Excellent communication, influencing, prioritization, and project management skills.
• Strong critical thinking skills and ability to make connections to the big picture.
• Ability to lead, coach, and motivate others.
• Willingness to travel approximately 30% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of new product formulations, portfolio renovation, productivity, and supply continuity initiatives across multiple brands and product formats.
• Drive projects from ideation through commercialization, including benchtop development, final production, and raw material to finished product specification.
• Manage multiple development projects simultaneously to deliver against R&D timelines.
• Build strong relationships and collaborate with internal and external partners to optimize product development processes.
• Apply ingredient and process knowledge, experimental design, and data interpretation to make sound technical recommendations.
• Champion innovation and productivity and influence cross-functional partners to advance project goals.
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues across and beyond the immediate team.
• Coordinate commercialization activities across internal and external manufacturing facilities.
• Lead product testing, qualification, and commercialization in both laboratory and production environments.

Skills

Communication skills

Project management

Multi-tasking

Critical thinking

Leadership

Collaboration

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s in Food Science/related

Master’s in related field

Job description

Kraft Heinz is seeking an R&D Scientist to lead product development for Shelf Stable Meals within the Hydration, Desserts, and Meals BU. You will drive projects across iconic brands such as Velveeta Shells & Cheese, Kraft Deluxe Mac & Cheese, and Cracker Barrel Mac & Cheese, delivering growth and innovative solutions.

Position is based at the Heinz Innovation Center in Glenview, IL. The role requires 2+ years of relevant experience (or 1 year with a Master’s) in related fields, strong