About the Role
Job Description
Senior Scientist – Next Gen Ingredients
The individual will support the Next Generation Ingredients Team working from the Glenview, IL R&D facility. This position offers the candidate an excellent opportunity to lead innovative and disruptive ingredient research while creating competitive advantage across the global Kraft Heinz portfolio.
The candidate will identify and lead ingredient technology development initiatives. The candidate should be able to identify future technology, prioritize research pathways, demonstrate proof of concept, develop prototypes, conduct technology scale-up trials, validate technologies in model systems and applications, conduct consumer testing, and commercialize technologies. This includes understanding of business needs, designing and executing tests, analyzing data, drawing conclusions, documenting, and communicating results to both technical and non-technical audiences. Proven communication and collaboration skills are essential in this role.
The candidate must also have a proven strong technical background, leadership, ability to think critically to apply prior knowledge and scientific principles to new situations, and project management skills. Technical background should include general food science as well as ingredient knowledge, functionality, and interactions. Experience with sweeteners, flavor, taste, aroma, and color ingredient science and applications is preferred. The candidate should also have demonstrated cross-functional team leadership within their own organization and within the scientific community. They will need to interact and build research collaboration programs within external ecosystems while progressing research pathways internally.
Responsibilities:
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The individual will identify, scope, design and develop technology research to support different KHC product categories renovations and innovations initiatives, assessing business case and risk.
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Design and execute experimental plans and apply learnings to drive product renovation and /or innovation.
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Be able to embrace all aspects of ingredient technology development including the fuzzy front end, ideation, design, development and commercialization.
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The candidate will need to also understand fundamentally other product technologies associated with applications.
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Conduct bench top, pilot plant and plant trials to explore, optimize formulation and processes.
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Work cross–functionally with other team members to progress research projects.
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Responsible for technology scouting and discovery.
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Build /have external connection to research partners such as universities, research institutes, consultants.
Technical Requirements:
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B.S. degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, or related fields with minimum of 7 years of relevant experience or M.S. in the above fields with 5+ years of relevant experience or PhD in above fields with 2+ years of relevant experience
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Strong food science background in ingredient functionality and interactions.
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Experience with sweeteners, flavor, taste, aroma, and color ingredient science and applications is preferred.
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Demonstrated record of conducting research development projects and leading research programs individually and in collaboration with other teams
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Demonstrated executional excellence in technology discovery, scale up and commercialization experiences
Additional Requirements:
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Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage complexity and demonstrated success of individually developed research programs
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Demonstrated ability to deal with ambiguity
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Demonstrated track record of creative, out of the box thinking with ability to define and prioritize research pathways that will ensure success
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Possess excellent industry external ecosystem and relationships, ability to manage multiple industry collaborations
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Possess technical /intellectual curiosity. Insulate technology to create KHC competitive advantage.
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Ability to manage projects with a high degree of autonomy
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Excellent verbal and communication skills
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Ability to build strong relationships and network
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Willingness to travel up to 20% of the time
EEO Policy:
Kraft Heinz is an EO employer – Minorities/Women/Vets/Disabled and other protected categories
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:
$88,000.00 – $110,000.00
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.
