Sr. Brand Manager, AFH Innovation - Customer

Heinz; Glenview (IL); Hybrid; USD 137,000 - 172,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Brand Manager to lead the innovation pipeline for its Away from Home Customer Innovation Platform. This role involves driving product ideation, development, and commercialization while collaborating with diverse teams to align with market trends and consumer insights. The ideal candidate will foster a culture of innovation, manage project timelines, and utilize data to inform strategic decisions. Join a dynamic environment that values creativity and teamwork, where your contributions will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of product offerings. If you’re passionate about consumer marketing and innovation, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

Flexible Work Arrangements

Paid Time Off

Employee Assistance Program

401k Plan

Health Coverage

Wellbeing Programs

Qualifications

• 5-7 years in marketing or brand management, with experience in product development.
• Ability to lead high-performing teams and inspire innovation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the innovation process for the Away from Home Customer Co-Created Platform.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure execution of innovative initiatives.

Skills

Team Leadership

Strategic Direction

Communication Skills

Project Management

Data Analysis

Innovation Management

Consumer Insights

Marketing Knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business or marketing

MBA with a marketing focus

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Job Description

As a Senior Brand Manager for AFH Innovation, your purpose is to lead the strategic development and execution of the innovation pipeline for the Away from Home (AFH) Customer Innovation Platform at Kraft Heinz. You will drive the ideation, curation, and commercialization of innovative products that align with global trends and contribute to the company’s growth. By collaborating with cross-functional teams and fostering an innovation-driven culture, you will ensure that Away from Home serves as a key engine of innovation within the broader Kraft Heinz portfolio, while also supporting ESG initiatives and sustainability goals.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

1. Lead the end-to-end innovation process for the Away from Home (AFH) Customer Co-Created Platform, overseeing the entire pipeline from ideation to product launch. This includes identifying opportunities, prioritizing projects, and managing the commercialization of new products in line with Kraft Heinz’s broader business objectives.
2. Develop a strategic approach to innovation, ensuring the pipeline is aligned with market trends, consumer insights, and AFH’s growth objectives.
3. Collaborate with customers and key stakeholders across multiple functions, including R&D, culinary, consumer insights, quality, legal, operations, sales, and finance, to ensure seamless execution of innovative initiatives.
4. Foster a culture of innovation within the AFH division by championing creative thinking and new product development that reflects global trends and cultural shifts. Inspire teams to take calculated risks and challenge the status quo to drive transformational growth.
5. Manage the innovation stage gate process, including all key deliverables, timelines, and approvals. Ensure that all projects are resourced appropriately and prioritized effectively to meet business goals.
6. Manage agency relationships for the packaging design of new products and lead consumer validation efforts in partnership with the consumer insights team.
7. Work with commercial teams to refine product positioning and messaging, ensuring that new innovations meet target customers' needs in the Away from Home market.
8. Build and maintain strong partnerships with Customer, Sales, and Marketing BAP teams, as well as Platform, Global Disruptive Innovation, Canadad (Platform & AFH), and Global R&D teams, to ensure cohesive innovation plans and seamless execution for our AFH customers and Kraft Heinz.
9. Utilize syndicated data sources to analyze internal and competitor innovation performance, providing actionable insights and recommendations to drive impactful business decisions.
10. Maintain a consumer-first mindset and strong operator understanding, ensuring day-to-day decisions protect the brand/operator’s integrity while effectively balancing financial and operational considerations.

Expected Experience & Required Skills

1. Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or a related field; MBA with a marketing focus preferred. Equivalent experience will be considered.
2. 5 to 7 years in marketing, product innovation, or brand management, with at least 3 years leading product development from concept to market in the consumer goods sector.
3. Proven ability to build, lead, and inspire high-performing teams, providing clear direction, coaching, and accountability.
4. Experience setting strategic direction and mobilizing cross-functional teams to achieve common goals.
5. Results-oriented, proactive in navigating complex challenges and ambiguity, with a track record of resolving obstacles.
6. Strong verbal and written communication skills, with a history of building effective business relationships and presenting clear narratives.
7. Passion for consumer marketing, culture, new product trends, and innovation, with the ability to foster an innovation-driven culture.
8. Skilled at managing multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery within scope.
9. Ability to translate data into actionable insights, driving product and brand strategies.
10. Demonstrated ability to communicate vision effectively to executive leadership and cross-functional teams.
11. Strong at navigating both formal and informal organizational channels to get things done, while delegating effectively.
12. Ability to prioritize tasks for self and team, focusing on key objectives and removing roadblocks.
13. Advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).

Work Environment & Schedule

Our office environment fosters collaboration, connection, and community, enabling employees to grow and thrive. We embrace a flexible and agile work model, recognizing its importance in today’s workplace. Most office-based employees may work remotely up to two days per week. Additionally, those in our hybrid model can work remotely for up to six weeks within a rolling 12-month period, in increments of up to two weeks, subject to benefits and tax guidelines. Work location requirements vary by role.

If you choose to be based in our downtown Chicago office, you must be willing and able to travel to the Glenview R&D Center at least once per week.

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.

New Hire Base Salary Range: $137,400.00 - $171,700.00

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:

• 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)

Chicago/Aon Center, 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.