Senior Fermentation Scientist, R&D – Scale-Up & Innovation

Kraft Heinz; Glenview (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 112,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonus

Healthcare benefits

Job summary

Kraft Heinz in Glenview, IL seeks a Senior Scientist, R&D – Fermentation Scientist to lead microbiology and fermentation development, guiding projects from bench to pilot scale and bridging science with commercialization.

You will work with cross-functional teams, apply DOE and data analysis, report results clearly, and travel up to 30%. The role offers a competitive base salary and a structured total rewards program.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Food Science, Fermentation Sciences, or related field; MS/PhD preferred.
• 4+ years of relevant experience with B.S. OR 3 years with M.S. OR 2 years with Ph.D.
• Strong knowledge of lactic and acetic acid bacteria in food fermentation.
• Experience with bench fermenter systems; INFORS or DASGIP experience preferred.
• Proficiency in plating, enumeration, strain verification, and microbial techniques.
• Willingness to travel 10–30%.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose microbial, process, and equipment deviations and drive root-cause resolution.
• Guide starter culture performance under manufacturing conditions.
• Perform bench microbiology incl. plating, enumeration, isolation, and strain verification.
• Conduct small-scale fermentation runs to model and optimize conditions.
• Design experiments translating bench findings to pilot scale.
• Lead projects and summarize results for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams from concept to commercialization.
• Maintain lab records, SOPs, and technical reports.

Skills

Fermentation science

Microbiology

Bioprocessing

DOE

Data analysis

Project management

Communication

Travel planning

Education

B.S. in Microbiology

MS/PhD preferred

Tools

INFORS

DASGIP

Job description

Kraft Heinz in Glenview, IL seeks a Senior Scientist, R&D – Fermentation Scientist to lead microbiology and fermentation development, guiding projects from bench to pilot scale and bridging science with commercialization.

You will work with cross-functional teams, apply DOE and data analysis, report results clearly, and travel up to 30%. The role offers a competitive base salary and a structured total rewards program.