Scientist, R&D - Product Development, Global Disruptive Innovation

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision coverage

7% 401(k) matching

BRGs for diversity and inclusion

Discretionary bonus

Job summary

Kraft Heinz is seeking a Scientist, Product Developer for the Global Disruptive Innovation R&D team in Glenview. You will join one to three small pods and drive design principles from benchtop prototypes to plant-scale up, guided by Agile @ Scale and collaboration with the Core Pod Team.

You will contribute to consumer insights, marketing and financial viability while owning specific technical workstreams as an individual contributor with leadership through influence.

Qualifications

• 2 years of relevant experience with a B.S. degree or 1 year of relevant experience with an M.S. degree.
• Desire to learn and apply Agile Ways of Working.
• Proven competency within the commercialization process (POs, Specifications, HACCP, DSA, etc.). (2+ years)
• Growth mindset and willingness to experiment to drive progress.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with R&D Technical Lead to prioritize product development tasks.
• Lead execution of formulation and process development along identified workstreams.
• Explore and evaluate potential suppliers and development partners.
• Complete rapid prototyping and iterative development to achieve design principles.
• Innovate within Procurement, Legal, Food Safety and Quality guardrails.
• Scale promising solutions through pilot plant and plant trials.
• Adopt Agile ways of working and Agile @ Scale playbook.
• Support cross-functional project workstreams as needed.
• Contribute to required technical documentation.

Skills

Agile Ways of Working

Product development processes

HACCP & DSA knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

B.S. degree

M.S. degree

Job description

Job Description Here at Kraft Heinz, we grow our people to grow our business, because we believe that great people make great companies.

When you join our table, you can expect access to an array of holistic wellness benefits* and perks, including medical, dental and vision coverage, 7% 401(k) matching, Business Resource Groups (BRGs) to help foster diversity, inclusion, and belonging for all employees, an industry-leading total rewards package that emphasizes a high discretionary bonus.

Benefits begin 30 days after hire for hourly employees, and immediately upon hire for salaried employees.

Get a peek into life here at Kraft Heinz through our Instagram and TikTok channels!

About the Role

Are you ready for an exciting and unique type of R&D role? This position is a Scientist, Product Developer on the Global Disruptive Innovation R&D team, where you will be challenged to immerse yourself with global consumers and innovative food-based solutions. You will work with one to three small cross‑functional teams (“pods”) where collaboration, trust, and ownership drive the team forward while engaging in the Agile @ Scale framework at Kraft Heinz.

As a Scientist, you will be a critical part of the Build and In‑Market Validation Phases of the project where promising disruptive concepts are brought to life. You will collaborate with the cross‑functional Core Pod Team to understand the key design principles and guardrails to incorporate into the product design. Iterative development will begin with scrappy prototypes and benchtop experiments with promising solutions progressing through pilot plant and factory scale‑up. While working with the R&D Technical Lead for sprint‑to‑sprint activities, Product Developers will have a clear line of ownership and accountability for specific technical workstreams with significant influence over solution development. Success is measured by validating consumer behavior and quantitative metrics across Desirability, Feasibility, and Viability objectives and key results. In addition to this Scientist’s technical contributions, they will also support cross‑functional aspects of the project in areas related to consumer insights, marketing, and financial viability. This is an individual contributor role with leadership opportunities through organizational influence and partnership with internal technical functional partners.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with R&D Technical Lead to prioritize product development tasks
• Lead execution of formulation and process development along identified workstreams
• Explore and evaluate potential suppliers and development partners
• Complete rapid prototyping and iterative development to achieve design principles
• Innovate within Procurement, Legal, Food Safety and Quality project guardrails
• Scale promising solutions through pilot plant and plant trials
• Adopt Agile ways of working and Agile @ Scale playbook
• Support cross‑functional project workstreams as needed
• Contribute to required technical documentation

Requirements

• 2 years of relevant experience with a B.S. degree or 1 year of relevant experience with an M.S. degree
• Desire to learn and apply Agile Ways of Working
• Proven competency within the commercialization process, including multiple aspects of product development: POs, Specifications, HACCP, DSA, etc. (2+ years)
• Strong drive for results, willingness to experiment, and values progress over perfection
• Comfortable operating with mid‑high levels of autonomy
• Willingness to think and do things differently
• Growth mindset, model lifelong curiosity and learning
• Willingness to take calculated risks

Compensation

New Hire Base Salary Range: $77,800.00 - $97,300.00

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.

• Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments
• Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training
• Emotional - Employee Assistance Program , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs
• Financial - 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Location

Location(s): Glenview R&D Center

Equal Opportunity

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes.

Accommodation

In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for protected individuals, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact [e-mail] for assistance.