Senior Manager, R&D - Pod Lead

Kraft Heinz; Illinois; Hybrid; USD 121,000 - 151,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Healthcare benefits

401k plan

Wellbeing programs

Job summary

Kraft Heinz in Glenview, IL is seeking a Technical Lead for the Global Innovation R&D team to drive consumer‑driven food and packaging solutions from strategy through early prototypes to scale‑up.

The role emphasizes hands‑on leadership, with 8+ years in related fields, a strong track record of end‑to‑end commercialization, and experience in agile environments and cross‑functional collaboration at a leading food company.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Chemical/ Biological/ Packaging/ Materials/ Food Science or related field.
• 8+ years of relevant experience (BS) or 7+ years (MS) or 6+ years (PhD) in food or consumer products.
• Experience commercializing products end-to-end in food/CPG industries.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and collaborate effectively.
• Experience in agile environments and mentoring junior scientists.

Responsibilities

• Translate fuzzy ideas into technical plans and hypotheses.
• Lead iterative product/pack/process development from prototype to scale-up.
• Direct rapid experimentation to validate assumptions and refine features.
• Guide scale‑up from bench to plant trials and test markets.
• Provide leadership across teams: procurement, legal, quality, operations.
• Champion Agile methodologies and mentor team members.
• Understand stage gate and commercialization processes and adapt agile methods.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Agile methodologies

Strategic thinking

Mentoring

Education

BS or MS in Chemical Engineering / related field

Job description

Job Description

Are you an innovative food scientist or engineer ready to disrupt the status quo? We are seeking a dynamic Technical Lead to join our Global Innovation R&D team. In this role, you will collaborate with a cross-functional innovation pod supporting projects within our Taste Elevation platform. You will be tasked to uncover consumer insights and rapidly develop innovative food and packaging solutions. You will provide hands‑on technical leadership through all stages of development, from developing the technical strategy and learning plan to executing early prototypes and subsequent scale‑up.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Ability to translate fuzzy ideas into technical plans and developing testable hypotheses
• Ability to manage complex workflows with multiple internal and external partners
• Lead iterative product/pack/process development from early prototyping to scalable plant trials
• Lead rapid experimentation to validate assumptions and refine product features
• Provide guidance to scale up products from bench to plant trials to test market launches
• Lead technical team to scale product for test market launch and associated in‑market validation (feasibility tests, specifications, supply chain)
• Embrace Agile WOW, provide feedback on innovation process
• Guide the team on feasibility, product/packaging development, processing, quality, safety, operations, and regulatory requirements.
• Generate and execute IP strategies to deliver technically advantaged product solutions
• Influence functional partners in Procurement, Legal, Quality and Operations to evolve ways of working
• Lead product and package developer support on project tasks and innovation process
• Champion Agile methodologies and mentor teammates on technical skills
• Understand stage gate process and commercialization process and how to adapt Agile methodologies to existing processes

Expected Experience & Required Skills

• BS or MS in Chemical Engineering, Biological Engineering, Packaging Engineering / Science, Materials Engineering, Food Science, Food Engineering, Consumer Science, or related field
• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience with a Bachelor’s or 7 years of relevant experience with Master's or 6 years of relevant experience with PhD
• Extensive experience in successfully commercializing products end-to-end in the food or consumer products industry
• Can influence stakeholders and evolve processes through strong collaboration skills
• Is excited by quick‑paced environments and continuous learning
• Naturally curious and creative, eager to explore alternative solutions
• Empathetic and consumer focused
• Experience in translating ambiguity into a concrete plan
• Brings an entrepreneurial spirit and growth mindset
• Exposure, implemented or led Agile ways of working and strategy
• Enjoys mentoring junior scientists through hands‑on work experience and collaboration

Work Environment & Schedule

This position is considered a Normal office environment with moderate travel to customer locations, stores, manufacturing facilities, etc.; offices are open workspaces Additionally, this role requires This positionoperatesprimarily in a hybrid work environment and is based at the Kraft Heinz R&D Innovation Center in Glenview, IL. Our hybrid model provides flexibility based on business needs, allowing employees to work virtually up to two days per week, with an expectation to work on‑site at least three days per week at the Glenview Innovation Center (Glenview, IL).

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's strategy and values.

New Hire Base Salary Range:

$120,800.00 - $151,000.00

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 savingfor the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family's needs. Coveragefor 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 aphysical, 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:

• 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(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.