Sr. Scientist, R&D - Product Dev Glenview, IL, US + 1 more

Kraft Heinz, Inc.; Glenview (IL); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 112,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Dental & Vision coverage

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

Kraft Heinz, Inc. in Glenview, IL, seeks an experienced Product Development Leader to drive innovation, renovation, and brand maintenance across multiple projects.

You will lead formulation, scale-up, and commercialization, while coordinating with cross-functional teams to meet aggressive timelines and ensure product quality. The role demands strong technical judgment, effective communication, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Life Sciences or related field with relevant product development experience.
• Strong knowledge of ingredients, formulation, processing systems and lab methods.
• Proven ability to lead development and commercialization across multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead product development across cross-functional projects within Away From Home / KHI.
• Lead projects from formulation to scale-up and start-up.
• Translate business objectives into development plans and drive execution.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to advance projects and meet timelines.
• Serve as R&D point person for manufacturing plants and support operations.
• Lead product testing, qualification, and commercialization across labs and production.
• Communicate findings and risks clearly to stakeholders.
• Manage timelines, raise issues, and adjust plans as needed.
• Balance multiple priorities including brand maintenance work.
• Interface with technical experts to understand technologies and business needs.
• Monitor trends and competitive activity within categories.

Skills

Product development leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Communication skills

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science/Chemistry/Chemical Engineering/Life Sciences

Master's degree (related field)

Job description

Responsibilities

• Lead product development across multiple cross-functional projects and product categories within the Away From Home / KHI business, including innovation, renovation, and brand maintenance work
• Independently lead product development projects from formulation through scale-up and start-up
• Translate business objectives into clear development plans and drive execution from concept through commercialization
• Partner with cross-functional teams to advance projects, resolve technical issues, and deliver against business timelines
• Serve as an R&D point person for manufacturing plants and support plant operations with troubleshooting, process design, and product quality-related issues to maintain business continuity
• Lead product testing, qualification, and commercialization activities across laboratory, pilot plant, and production environments
• Apply strong technical judgment to product, ingredient, process, and formulation challenges and develop recommendations and contingency plans based on findings
• Communicate technical findings, recommendations, risks, and implications clearly and in a timely manner to cross-functional stakeholders
• Manage technical timelines, proactively raise issues and risks, and adjust plans as needed
• Manage multiple priorities concurrently and identify tradeoffs, resource constraints, and priority conflicts across initiatives, including planned and unplanned brand maintenance work
• Interface with technical experts, category scientists, and cross-functional partners to understand technologies, applications, and business needs
• Monitor emerging trends and competitive activity within categories of responsibility
• Assist in scoping early-stage innovation ideas and participate in ideation sessions
• Conduct lab, pilot plant, and manufacturing trials to optimize formulations and processing systems
• Write specifications and maintain high-quality documentation that supports consistent, high-quality products
• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to learn new categories, technologies, and processing areas in support of business needs

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Life Sciences, or a related field, plus a minimum of 4 years of relevant product development experience within CPG, food and beverage, or a related industry; or master's degree plus a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience; or PhD plus a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience
• Strong knowledge of ingredients, product formulation, processing systems, ingredient interactions, and laboratory test methods
• Proven ability to lead product development and commercialization work across multiple projects and priorities
• Strong communication, project management, and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment with changing priorities
• Strong technical judgment and ability to design effective experiments, interpret results, and adjust plans as needed
• Self-motivated and able to deliver results with a high degree of ownership in a complex environment
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and collaborate across functions to deliver business objectives
• Demonstrated flexibility and ability to learn new products, technologies, and processes quickly
• Willingness to travel 30%, including travel to internal plants, co-manufacturers, suppliers, and other business locations within the United States
• Physical demands include, but are not limited to: Lift up to 30 lbs and navigate lab, storage, pilot plant, and manufacturing environments.

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.

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.

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 wellbeing 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