Sr Principal Scientist, R&D - Product Dev

Kraft Heinz Company; Glenview (IL); On-site; USD 118,000 - 148,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Principal Scientist for their R&D Bakery Technology team. This pivotal role involves leading product development initiatives across various snacking product lines, including Lunchables and Oscar Mayer Bites. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in product development within the CPG sector, particularly in bakery products. You will thrive in a dynamic environment, managing multiple projects while collaborating with cross-functional teams. This role not only demands technical expertise but also strong leadership and communication skills to drive innovative solutions. Join a company committed to excellence and diversity, where your contributions will significantly impact product innovation and customer satisfaction.

Benefits

Healthcare Coverage

Wellbeing Programs

Paid Time Off

401k

Life Insurance

Disability Coverage

Qualifications

• 8+ years of Product Development experience in CPG, especially Bakery.
• Strong understanding of ingredients and food laboratory test methods.

Responsibilities

• Lead product development efforts with cross-functional teams.
• Manage and execute product testing in lab and production environments.

Skills

Product Development

Food Science

Project Management

Communication Skills

Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science

Master’s Degree in related fields

Job description

Job Description

Senior Principal Scientist, R&D – Product Development

This is a Research and Development Bakery Technology role leading Product Development initiatives within the Snacking Team. The role offers support across various businesses within our Snacking product lines (Lunchables, Oscar Mayer Bites, and P3) for the North America Zone. The Senior Principal Scientist is expected to provide leadership for and execution of projects across categories. The candidate should have a proven record of executing work plans and driving results in challenging and complex settings across multiple categories. Strong communication and teamwork skills are essential, as this role operates in a dynamic, cross-functional environment. The position requires managing multiple projects simultaneously and completing work with minimal guidance, demonstrating a collaborative mindset and innovative solutions.

Key Responsibilities

1. Lead product development efforts with cross-functional teams to drive execution across multiple projects.
2. Learn new product categories and processing areas as needed.
3. Translate research findings and communicate them effectively to cross-functional teams.
4. Manage and execute product testing and qualification in laboratory and production environments.
5. Prioritize and manage multiple projects, addressing conflicts between business initiatives.
6. Mentor, coach, and collaborate with colleagues within and outside your immediate team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s is a Plus) in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Life Sciences, or related fields.
• Minimum 8+ years of Product Development experience within a CPG or similar, with at least 5 years in Bakery.
• Strong understanding of ingredients, processing equipment, ingredient interactions, and food laboratory test methods.
• Executional excellence, leadership, and customer focus.
• Self-motivated problem solver with the drive to deliver results in complex environments.
• Ability to design experiments, anticipate next steps, and adapt to hurdles.
• Excellent communication, influencing, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to lead, coach, and motivate others.
• Highly motivated with the ability to multi-task complex projects.
• Willingness to travel up to 30%, including to the US and Canada.

Compensation & Benefits

Base Salary Range: $118,400 - $148,000. This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus. Compensation will vary based on geographic region, experience, and other factors.

Benefits include healthcare coverage, wellbeing programs, paid time off, recognition, training, and financial benefits like 401k, life insurance, and disability coverage.

Location: Glenview R&D Center

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to diversity and inclusion. For accommodations in the application process, contact [e-mail].