Director, Disruptive Innovation

  • All Posting Locations: Chicago, IL, US
  • Job Functions: Marketing
  • Date Published: November 21, 2024
  • Ref#: R-87376

Apply

An office with Kraft Heinz product images on the wall
a 4 pack of raspberry jell-o

About the Role

Job Description

Director, Disruptive Innovation

Location of role can be Amsterdam, Toronto or Chicago

Job Description

Are you ready to reinvent a new way of working? Lead top innovators to create the biggest innovations across Kraft Heinz? Create new capabilities that reimagine how we innovate? As a leader of Disruptive Innovation, you will be a part of building both what we bring to market & how we do it that will be game changers.

Sitting in the Global Growth Office, this Director role reports to the Vice President of Global Innovation and leads a team of innovators pioneering new agile innovation methodologies to bring consumer driven innovation to market. The Director will create and drive the strategies for teams that bring new products, new business models or new channels to life by developing and implementing agile in-market experiments in pursuit of scaling the launch.

This position requires an innovation leader that can develop teams building the future of food. This approach to pioneering innovation is new within the growth organization so the individual needs to be flexible, have a growth mindset, and be comfortable with ambiguity.

Responsibilities

  • Leading a portfolio of dedicated Agile Pod teams (5 person cross-functional team focused on launching new innovation)
  • Build the strategic vision and pipeline approach for new products, models and channels for top innovation spaces
  • Own and design a fit-to-win capability to build out and rethink innovation at Kraft Heinz
  • Coach teams to develop and implement experiments to Test, Learn and Iterate solutions with consumers and retailers
  • Champion for disruptive thinking and agile approaches across KHC
  • Work across a diverse set of collaborators to support the success of your portfolio and team of innovators

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree required, MBA preferred
  • 8+ years of proven experience in marketing or innovation
  • Consumer centric self-starter & growth mindset – fail fast, learn faster
  • Deep functional innovation expertise
  • Prior or relevant experience working in Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)  a plus
  • Experience building capabilities and implementing new ways of thinking
  • Experience in both employee management & cross-functional team management; self confident individual who can lead a team and work collaboratively
  • Strong personal motivation in fast-paced, often ambiguous environment, with a bias for action
  • Demonstrated ability to influence teams and experience handling multiple partners
  • Strong “big picture” perspective, while also delivering the innovation initiative at hand
  • Outstanding verbal, written and interpersonal communications skills
  • Creative problem solver, strategic thinker, and analytical skills
  • Ability to simplify and make decisions quickly to drive constant forward progress

What we offer you:

  • An ambitious employer; we only want the best for you.
  • A fast career track like only few other companies can match.
  • A competitive salary and excellent bonus structure (above market); at KraftHeinz we strongly believe and live by ownership and meritocracy.
  • A hybrid working model; because we believe the future of work is based on a building modern, adaptable, and agile workplace culture.
  • Last and not least; there are always room for new insights: If you have an idea, please let us know, and we can set it in action!

Location(s)

Chicago/Aon Center

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer that prohibits discrimination or harassment of any type. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants who require an accommodation to participate in the job application or hiring process should contact NAZTAOps@kraftheinz.com.

Digital at Kraft Heinz

The
Builders

Our Digital team empowers every aspect of our business.

Discovering what’s next in food using Python, Azure ML and Alteryx. Building and designing apps. Improving our supply chain.

We’re bringing agility to beloved brands across the globe — making life delicious for our customers and communities, today and tomorrow.

A group of people sitting around a laptop
a jar of Kraft Crunchy Peanut Butter

HR at Kraft Heinz

The
Facilitators

People are what makes Kraft Heinz great. Today. And tomorrow.

In Human Resources, we’re finding and developing great talent to continue our legacy. We’re here for every colleague, for their performance and their wellbeing.

Together, we’re helping everyone to grow their own way.

A woman is talking to another woman at an event.
a jar of Heinz Garlic Sauce

Manufacturing at Kraft Heinz

The
Makers

Our Manufacturing team is a fully-integrated end-to-end supply chain. We’re the backbone of Kraft Heinz. The people behind the products, delivering the highest quality and value.

Whether you’re a seasoned manufacturing veteran or new to the world of plants, there’s tons of opportunity for career growth and development.

NEED ALT
a squeeze bottle of Wattie's Steak Sauce

Marketing at Kraft Heinz

The
Strategizers

Our Marketing team are the voice of our consumers. Connecting the right people, to the right products, with the right messages and campaigns.

We’re the architects of category growth, making sure our brands are front and center — winning the battle for attention in the minds of people everywhere.

A group of people sitting around a table with a laptop.
a package of Maxwell House Vanilla Iced Latte foam

R&D at Kraft Heinz

The
Creators

Our Research and Development team creates high-quality products that push the boundaries of what’s possible. Innovation is what gets us up in the morning!

Whether you want to develop your technical skills or grow as a people manager, there’s a place for you here to advance your career.

NEED ALT
a box of Delimex Chicken Taquitos

Sales at Kraft Heinz

The
Connectors

Our Sales team drives multibillion dollar distribution strategies. And we do this across channels and across the whole world!

We thrive wherever consumers can meet iconic and innovative brands — in retail, on-trade, and B2B. We’re the closest people to our customers, getting our products to the right people, in the right places.

Man smiling and sitting at a table
a package of Heinz by Nature tomato mozarella pasta
Collage of Traci

Hear from
our people

“Kraft Heinz doesn’t just talk about their values, they live it every day.”

Traci
Senior Customer Sales Manager

Collage of photos of Michael

Hear from
our people

“The best is yet to come at Kraft Heinz. I’ve experienced the launch of a new purpose, new vision and values. Now I’m seeing all of those things truly take shape and that is very exciting.”

Michael
Associate Director Pension

Headshot of Manetta

Hear from
our people

“The best thing about working at Kraft Heinz are the benefits and opportunities for growth and career development.”

Manetta
Talent acquisition Specialist

A group of people standing in front of a wall of photos of Kraft Heinz brand products.

About Us

Kraft Heinz is a global food company with a delicious heritage.  Our emerging and iconic food and beverage brands deliver the best taste, fun, and quality to every table we touch. Worldwide.

We’re on a mission to disrupt not only our own business, but the global food industry. Consumer obsession and unexpected partnerships fuel our progress. As we drive innovation company-wide.

Our people are connected by a culture of ownership, agility and endless curiosity. We believe in being good humans — working to improve our company, communities, and planet.

We’re proud of where we’ve been and even more thrilled about where we’re headed as we nourish the world and lead the future of food.

Why Us

We grow our people to grow our business. We champion great people who bring ambition, curiosity, and high performance to the table as the guardians of our iconic and nostalgic brands.

Good isn’t good enough. We choose greatness every day by making bold decisions and challenging what’s ordinary. All while celebrating our wins – and failures – as we work together to transform the future of food.

An office with Kraft Heinz product images on the wall