Sr Sci, R&D Product Dev (Meals)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401k

Paid time off

Flexible work arrangements

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Kraft Heinz in Glenview, IL is seeking a Senior Scientist Product Development- Meals to lead R&D initiatives for the Meals portfolio, including Kraft Dinners, Classico, Taco Bell, Heinz soups, and Crave. You will drive technical projects to growth, product and pack superiority, and futureproof brands with innovative solutions.

The role requires proven leadership across complex projects, cross-functional collaboration, and strong communication.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of product development and commercialization experience in a CPG setting.
• Experience leading multi-project R&D initiatives with cross-functional teams.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills; ability to influence stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel up to 30% domestically and to internal plants.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution across multiple projects within the meals business unit.
• Oversee commercialization processes and troubleshoot challenges.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to drive product development and launches.
• Translate research findings into business objectives and scalable processes.
• Mentor colleagues and manage relationships with internal and external facilities.

Skills

Project management

Food science

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Problem solving

Ambiguity management

Travel willingness

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Job description

Senior Scientist Product Development- Meals

This is a Research and Development (R&D) role leading Product Development initiatives for Canada under the Meals portfolio of brands, such as Kraft Dinners, Classico, Taco Bell, Heinz soups, and Crave. The candidate will be leading and driving technical projects to drive growth, product/pack superiority, and futureproof brands through innovative solutions.

The Senior Scientist candidate should have a proven record of successfully leading, executing, and commercializing projects ranging in technical complexity with minimal guidance, and getting results in a variety of challenging and complex settings.

The candidate should have experience leading business initiatives while exhibiting a collaborative approach and applying innovative solutions. Strong communication and collaboration skills are essential in this role, which operates in a dynamic and cross-functional environment.

What’s on the menu?

• Project Management: Leads development and execution across multiple projects ranging from low to high technical complexity for thebusiness unit
• Manage multiple assignments/research projects concurrently andpossessthe ability to prioritize between a variety of business initiatives
• Commercialization: Deep knowledge of commercialization processes andrequiredactivities as the technical/R&D lead. Ability to troubleshoot challenges.
• Collaboration: Work with cross functional teams acting as the lead product developer to drive execution across multiple projects
• Communication: Provide updates to cross-functional teams;Identifyhurdles and propose solutions
• Use strategy to guide technology choices and unlock innovative solutions
• Translate research findings into meaningful business objectives
• Champion an innovation approach and exhibit influence on the cross functional partners
• Mentor,coachand collaborate with other colleagues within and outside of your immediate team
• Demonstrate the ability to develop relationships with and coordinate commercialization activities across internal and external manufacturing facilities.
• Lead and complete product testing, qualification, and commercialization in laboratory and production environments

• Mealsexperience preferredwhich can includeformulation andprocessing experience withpasta, pasta sauce,frozen meals,and shelf-stable soups.
• Skilled inbasic processing equipment and ability to develop benchtop prototypes and scale to commercialoperation.
• 4+ years Product Development and commercialization experience within a CPG or equivalent
• Project management experience, technicalexpertise, and food science/processing knowledge
• Excellent communication, influencing, project management andproblem solvingskills
• Highly motivated and able to multi-taskvarying degrees of complex projects
• Willingness/ability to learn new product categories and/or processing areas
• Willingness to travel up to 30%. Travel could include (but not limited to): United States and Canada to internal plants, co-manufacturers, and suppliers.
• Experience delivering consumercentric, innovative solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to influence, manage multiple projects concurrently with the ability to prioritize work, and solve problems effectively.
• Brings an entrepreneurial spirit and growth mindset
• Ability to manage through ambiguity.

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.

New Hire Base Salary Range

$89,800.00 - $112,200.00

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.

Benefits

• 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.