About the Role
Job Description
Manager, R&D – Product Development
Come grow your R&D career at KHC with this exciting opportunity to join the Process Cheese team! This R&D Manager role will manage Process Cheese categories and brands and lead a team of developers to drive our core business across North America within the Meat, Cheese, Coffee, and Snacking Business Unit. This role interfaces directly with the business and offers the ability to lead technically challenging projects and initiatives focused on productivity, growth, renovation, and brand maintenance. Success in the role requires cross-functional collaboration, strategic influence, problem solving, thoughtful career development planning for the team, and prioritization to lead multiple projects simultaneously. Successful candidate will have a technical background in food science/engineering, demonstrated strength in the commercialization process, proven ability to design product testing at plant scale, a growth mindset, and powerful teamwork skills. If you’re looking to bring your leadership to a team that is technical and passionate about all things cheese, this is the place for you!
This role will be based out of the Glenview, IL Kraft Heinz Innovation Center and will require travel approximately 30% of the time.
Responsibilities
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Work directly with the business units, cross-functional teams, plants, and suppliers as the R&D category manager to manage projects and direct developers across all projects in the category
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Lead the resources and budgets for projects and initiatives within the category
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Assist in scoping and facilitating business opportunities
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Lead developers to design and implement tests, analyze data, draw conclusions, document findings, present results, and commercialize products
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Translate research findings into substantial business opportunities and communicate to cross-functional teams
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Communicate regularly with the BU R&D Leads
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Ability to direct developers across the category
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Support extended cross functional team on initiatives to ensure speed to market
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Interface with all related technical experts and internal category scientists to understand technologies and applications
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Collaborate with teams to understand and ensure product quality and food safety requirements are defined and delivered through the completion of raw material, finished product and quality specifications that deliver consistent, high-quality products
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Run technical timelines, provide clear and timely communication, complete risk assessments, raise issues, and develop contingency plans demonstrating strong project management skills
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Adopt a culture of diversity & inclusion, sustainability, learning, and working like an owner
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Elevate the competence and know-how of junior developers through training, coaching, and external networking
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Management of junior staff including creation of development plans, building teamwork, and balancing of workload to help deliver in-year and pipeline projects
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Drive engagement for respective team while partnering with peers
Requirements
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Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s is a plus) – Food Science, Dairy Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biological Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, or related field
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7+ years of experience in the CPG industry preferred
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Ability to lead, coach, develop, and inspire others
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Strong experience in R&D commercialization with a high degree of autonomy
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Strong learning agility and ability to think on the fly
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Ability to work effectively in a team environment, managing a complex network of stakeholders
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Understanding of ingredient interactions/functionality
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Self-motivated problem solver and critical thinker with the drive to deliver objectives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
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Manage multiple assignments/tasks concurrently with the ability to prioritize work for self and others
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Experience across a broad range of cheese and dairy ingredients, formulations, and manufacturing processes desired but not a prerequisite
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Understanding of Design of Experiments
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Excellent verbal and written communication
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Excellent influencing skills
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Willingness to travel 30% pending business needs. Travel could include (but not limited to): within United States and Canada to internal plants, co-manufacturers, and suppliers
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:
$102,100.00 – $127,600.00
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.
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:
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Physical – Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments
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Social – Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training
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Emotional – Employee Assistance Program , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs
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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 NAZTAOps@kraftheinz.com for assistance.
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.
