General information

All posting locations: Glenview, Illinois, United States of America, Warrendale, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Job Function: 10 - R&D

Date Published: 25-Mar-2024

Ref #: R-80778

Remote, Hybrid or Onsite: Hybrid

Description & Requirements

Here at Kraft Heinz, we grow our people to grow our business, because we believe that great people make great companies. When you join our table, you can expect access to an array of holistic wellness benefits* and perks, including medical, dental and vision coverage, 7% 401(k) matching, Business Resource Groups (BRGs) to help foster diversity, inclusion, and belonging for all employees, an industry-leading total rewards package that emphasizes a high discretionary bonus.

*Benefits begin 30 days after hire for hourly employees, and immediately upon hire for salaried employees.

Get a peek into life here at Kraft Heinz through our Instagram and TikTok channels!

Senior Scientist Product Development – Meals & Snacking at a glance...

This is a Research and Development (R&D) role leading Product Development initiatives under the Frozen Snacks and Refrigerated team within the Meals & Kits technical platform. The role supports multiple businesses such as Mexican (Taco Bell, Delimex) and Meals and Snacking (Lunchables, JCAE, P3, Bagel Bites). The candidate will be leading and driving technical projects to meet business initiatives focused on growth, productivity, ESG, and brand maintenance.

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 across multiple temperature states (frozen, refrigerated, ambient) and product categories (i.e. meals, appetizers, snacks, bakery, meats, and cheese) 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 the Meals & Kits BU

  • Manage multiple assignments/research projects concurrently and possess the ability to prioritize between a variety of business initiatives
  • Commercialization: Deep knowledge of commercialization processes and required activities 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; Identify hurdles and propose solutions
  • Translate research findings into meaningful business objectives
  • Champion an innovation approach and exhibit influence on the cross functional partners
  • Mentor, coach and 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

Recipe for Success - apply now if this sounds like you!

Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s is a Plus) - Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Life Sciences or related fields

  • 4+ years Product Development and commercialization experience within a CPG or equivalent
  • Project management experience, technical expertise, and food science/processing knowledge
  • Frozen, Refrigerated, and Shelf Stable packaged goods experience preferred.
  • Excellent communication, influencing, project management and problem solving skills
  • Highly motivated and able to multi-task varying 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 consumer centric, 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.

#LI-Hybrid

About Us

Kraft Heinz is a global food company with a delicious heritage. With iconic and emerging food and beverage brands around the world, we deliver the best taste, fun and quality to every meal table we touch. We’re on a mission to disrupt not only our own business, but the global food industry. A consumer obsession and unexpected partnerships fuel our progress as we drive innovation across every part of our company.

Around the world, our people are connected by a culture of ownership, agility and endless curiosity. We also believe in being good humans, who are 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 beloved and nostalgic brands. Good isn't good enough. We choose greatness every day by challenging the ordinary and making bold decisions. All while celebrating our wins - and our failures – as we work together to lead the future of food.

Challenging the status quo takes talent. We invest in your purpose and potential by developing skills and nurturing strengths that leave a legacy on our business and a lasting impact on your career. Because great people make great companies, and we’re growing something great here at Kraft Heinz.

Office Collaboration & Hybrid Work Environment

We believe our office environment fuels our collaboration, connection & community as an organization and allows our employees to grow toward greatness. We also believe providing a more flexible and agile model is essential in today’s workplace. A majority of our office-based employees will be able to work remotely for up to two days each week. Additionally, employees who are subject to this hybrid model will be eligible to work from anywhere for up to six weeks in a rolling 12-month period (in maximum two-week increments and according to benefits and tax guidelines). Some jobs may be required to be performed fully in office depending on the role’s responsibilities and requirements.

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 NATAI@kraftheinz.com.