Research Development Lead

Kraft Heinz; Glenview (IL); Hybrid; USD 142,000 - 177,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Wellbeing programs

Paid time off

Job summary

Kraft Heinz in Glenview, IL seeks a Research Lead for the End-to-End Complex Projects team to own technical delivery from concept to commercialization. Partner with R&D, Quality, Operations, and suppliers to translate processing concepts into manufacturable, Right-First-Time solutions.

Ideal candidate brings hands-on expertise in emulsions, fermentation, extrusion, and thermal processing with CQV, FMEA, CPRA, and FlowSheet tooling. Travel up to 25% and multi-site experience are a plus.

Qualifications

• BS/MS/PhD in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related discipline.
• Minimum 11 years of experience in R&D Processing or Engineering in consumer goods, food & beverage, pharma, or related industry.
• Experience in emulsions / shear processing, fermentation, extrusion, thermal processing & validation, aeration, drying, or powder mixing.
• Hands-on experience executing end-to-end processing development projects, including pilot trials and scale-up to industrial production.
• Strong knowledge of processing commercialization tools: CQV, FMEA, CPRA, Process Design Scopes, and Transformation Flowsheets.
• Strong project management skills with detailed project plans, schedules, and risk logs on multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Proficiency with MS Project, Smartsheet, Jira; familiarity with ERP systems (SAP).
• Strong technical communication skills for cross-functional audiences.
• Experience with pilot line setup, scale-up, and industrial production launches; multi-site experience preferred.
• Willingness to travel up to 25%.

Responsibilities

• Execute end-to-end technical delivery across complex processing projects.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation (MPS, Transformation Flowsheets, Process Design Scopes).
• Apply CQV, FMEA, CPRA to identify and mitigate risks for Right-First-Time launches.
• Collaborate with Platform R&D, GDI R&D, Packaging R&D, Quality, Operations, and external suppliers.
• Lead and support pilot line trials and scale-up activities.
• Contribute to STAR and Tech Review Board processes with clear design rationale and risk status.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and safety requirements.
• Support cost optimization and value engineering efforts.
• Mentor junior and experienced processing engineers.

Skills

Emulsions processing

Pilot line setup

Scale-up to production

Technical communication

Risk management

Education

BS/MS/PhD in Chemical/Mechanical/Industrial Eng

Tools

MS Project

Smartsheet

Jira

Excel

SAP

Job description

As a Research Lead on the End-to-End (E2E) Complex Projects team, you will serve as a deep technical processing expert responsible for hands-on execution of complex, high-impact processing projects from concept through commercialization. You will own the technical delivery of assigned initiatives, partnering closely with cross-functional stakeholders to translate processing concepts into manufacturable, Right-First-Time solutions. This role prioritizes technical rigor, executional excellence, and applied engineering expertise over portfolio strategy or people management.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Execute end-to-end technical delivery across assigned complex processing projects, including technical briefing, concept development, technical design, learning plans, pilot runs, capital design, and commercialization handover to Operations/Supply Chain.
• Develop and maintain detailed technical documentation including Manufacturing Procedure Specifications, Transformation Flowsheets, and Process Design Scopes, ensuring processing parameters meet defined quality, shelf-life, consumer experience, and manufacturing performance requirements.
• Apply processing commercialization tools (CQV, FMEA, CPRA) to systematically identify and mitigate technical risks, drive design decisions, and ensure Right-First-Time launch readiness.
• Partner with Platform R&D, GDI R&D, Packaging R&D, Quality, Operations, and external suppliers to define processing requirements and success criteria, resolve technical trade-offs, and maintain project timelines and milestones.
• Lead and support pilot line trials and scale-up activities, translating learnings into robust commercial processing solutions.
• Contribute to STAR and Tech Review Board processes, preparing and presenting technical content that clearly communicates design rationale, risk status, and commercialization readiness.
• Maintain compliance with all regulatory and safety requirements throughout project execution.
• Support cost optimization and value engineering efforts that improve margin, sustainability, and reinvestment priorities.
• Serve as an informal technical mentor to junior and experienced processing engineers on the team, sharing applied expertise and supporting capability development.

Key Outputs & Deliverables

• Deliver successful technical execution across concurrent complex processing projects within innovation and platform portfolios, meeting committed timelines, budgets, and technical performance targets.
• Achieve and sustain >95% Right-First-Time (RTF) launches across assigned projects, ensuring processing solutions meet manufacturability, quality, regulatory, and supply chain readiness criteria at first commercial production.
• Produce high-quality processing technical deliverables — including Manufacturing Procedure Specifications, Transformation Flowsheets, Process Design Scopes, FMEAs, and CQV documentation — that meet enterprise engineering standards.
• Generate clear, data-driven technical recommendations and risk assessments that enable informed go/no-go decisions at governance milestones.
• Contribute to team capability by sharing technical learnings, best practices, and processing expertise across the broader E2E projects organization.

Expected Experience & Required Skills

• BS/MS/PhD degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related discipline.
• Minimum 11 years of experience in R&D Processing or Engineering roles within consumer goods, food & beverage, pharma, or a similar industry.
• Demonstrated experience in emulsions / shear processing, fermentation, extrusion, thermal processing & validation, aeration, drying, or powder mixing preferred.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience executing end-to-end processing development projects, including pilot trials and scale-up to industrial production.
• Strong applied knowledge of processing commercialization tools including CQV, FMEA, CPRA, Process Design Scopes, and Transformation Flowsheets.
• Strong project management skills, with experience maintaining detailed project plans, schedules, and risk logs on multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Proficiency with project tools (MS Project, Smartsheet, Jira, or equivalent), advanced Excel skills; familiarity with ERP systems (SAP).
• Strong technical communication skills with the ability to synthesize complex processing data into clear recommendations for cross-functional audiences.
• Experience with pilot line setup, scale-up, and industrial production launches, including multi-site experience preferred.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% of the time.

This position is considered a normal office environment with moderate travel to customer locations, stores, manufacturing facilities, etc.; offices are open workspaces We believe the office is a critical driver of innovation, connection, and development, but also realize providing flexibility to our employees is critical. To create a more agile and modern workplace, this position will be able to work virtually for up to two days each week and will be expected to work in-person at the assigned work location at least three days per workweek.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain all duties or responsibilities that are required of the role. Duties or responsibilities may change or be added with or without notice.

Our Total Rewards philosophy is to provide a meaningful and flexible spectrum of programs that equitably support our diverse workforce and their families and complement Kraft Heinz’ strategy and values.

New Hire Base Salary Range:

$141,500.00 - $176,900.00

Bonus: This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.

The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors

Benefits: Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family’s needs. Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

Wellbeing: We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.

You’ll be able to participate in a variety of benefits and wellbeing programs that may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors, for example:

• Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training
• Emotional – Employee Assistance Program , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs

Location(s)

Glenview R&D Center

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for protected individuals, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact [e-mail] for assistance.