Sr. Counsel, Regulatory Commercialization

Kraft Heinz, Inc.; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 164,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligibility

Healthcare coverage

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

Kraft Heinz, Inc. invites a Senior Counsel, Regulatory Commercialization to lead the Food Regulatory team in a hybrid Chicago/Pittsburgh role.

You will provide strategic legal and regulatory guidance across food law, labeling, claims, and commercialization while partnering with Marketing, R&D, and Quality to balance compliance with business objectives. The role requires a J.D., active Bar membership, and extensive in-house or law-firm experience in food regulatory matters.

Qualifications

• Must hold a Bachelor’s degree and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active Bar membership in good standing is required.
• Significant food law, regulatory, and compliance experience.
• Experience leading regulatory teams and driving accountability.
• Strong knowledge of FDA/USDA regulatory frameworks.
• Ability to advise on labeling, claims, ingredients, packaging, and commercialization.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Food Regulatory team with clear expectations and accountability.
• Strengthen regulatory judgment, risk management, and recommendation quality.
• Set priorities and operating norms to improve consistency and impact.
• Provide strategic counsel on federal/state food law including labeling and safety.
• Advise cross-functional stakeholders on regulatory risks and opportunities.
• Navigate complex regulatory matters and evolving developments.
• Prepare Kraft Heinz regulatory positions with internal and external stakeholders.
• Improve regulatory processes, governance, and operating practices.
• Contribute as a senior leader within the Food Law and Regulation organization.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory judgment

Risk management

Cross-functional partnering

Education

Bachelor's degree + JD (J.D.)

Job description

This role leads and develops the Food Regulatory team while providing strategic legal and regulatory guidance on food law, labeling, claims, ingredients, packaging, commercialization, and compliance matters. It partners closely with cross‑functional stakeholders to assess regulatory risks, support business decisions, and strengthen regulatory processes, governance, and team capabilities. The position requires a J.D., significant food law and regulatory experience, strong leadership skills, and deep knowledge of FDA and/or USDA regulations.

Senior Counsel, Regulatory Commercialization at a Glance

The Senior Counsel, Regulatory Commercialization is a senior legal and regulatory leader with a central role in leading and strengthening the capability of the Food Regulatory team. This role provides strategic legal and regulatory counsel across a broad range of food law, labeling, claims, ingredients, commercialization, and compliance matters, while helping the team operate as trusted business partners to the business. This leader will help build a team of strong technical experts who use sound judgment, influence, and a practical, business‑oriented mindset to support business priorities through sound risk management. Working closely with cross‑functional partners including Marketing, R&D, Product Development, Quality, and Legal, this role will help shape the expectations, direction, and operating norms that enable both strong compliance and strong business partnership. This is a hybrid role requiring 3 days onsite weekly at our offices in Chicago or Pittsburgh.

What’s on the menu?

• Lead and develop members of the Food Regulatory team, building a high‑performing organization with clear expectations, strong accountability, and ongoing talent development
• Strengthen team capability in regulatory judgment, risk management, influence, and recommendation quality so the team can partner more effectively with the business
• Set clear expectations, priorities, and operating norms across the team to improve consistency, decision-making, and overall impact
• Provide strategic legal and regulatory counsel on federal and state food law requirements, including ingredients, formulas, claims, labeling, packaging, commercialization, food safety, and marketing
• Advise cross‑functional stakeholders by assessing and communicating legal and regulatory risks, opportunities, and emerging developments, and providing practical decision‑ready guidance, mitigation strategies, and recommendations that enable sound business decisions
• Navigate complex and ambiguous regulatory matters, including claims substantiation, labeling issues, ingredient and additive questions, food safety considerations, packaging‑related requirements, and other evolving developments
• Prepare and support Kraft Heinz legal and regulatory positions in collaboration with cross‑functional partners, including engagement with regulators, outside counsel, trade associations, and other external stakeholders as appropriate
• Help improve regulatory processes, tools, governance models, and operating practices that drive efficiency, consistency, and scalability
• Contribute as a senior leader within the broader Food Law and Regulation organization by sharing expertise, elevating talent, and strengthening enterprise capability

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school required
• Active Bar membership in good standing required
• Significant legal experience in food law, regulatory, and compliance matters, preferably in‑house, at a law firm, in government, or in a combination of those settings
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing regulatory teams, including setting direction, building capability, strengthening judgment, and driving accountability and performance
• Strong knowledge of federal and state food law requirements, including FDA and/or USDA regulatory frameworks
• Meaningful experience advising on labeling, claims, ingredients, commercialization, packaging, food safety, and broader food regulatory compliance matters
• Proven ability to build team capability in regulatory judgment, risk management, influence, and recommendation quality
• Excellent oral and written communication, research, and analytical skills, with the ability to provide practical, business‑oriented legal and regulatory advice and recommendations
• Strong business acumen and sound judgment, with the ability to balance legal and regulatory risk with business priorities in a dynamic environment
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills, with the ability to build trust, influence senior stakeholders, and develop strong cross‑functional relationships across the organization
• Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity, manage competing priorities, and deliver high‑quality outcomes in a fast‑paced environment
• Ability to build consensus, challenge the status quo, and drive change effectively
• High standards of integrity, professionalism, and discretion, including the ability to handle confidential information appropriately
• Commitment to continuous learning, development, and capability building across the team

Compensation

New Hire Base Salary Range: $164,200.00 - $205,200.00 Bonus: This position is eligible for a performance‑based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.

Benefits

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.

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

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.