Senior Manager, R&D - Pod Lead

Job Description

Job Purpose

Are you an innovative engineer ready to disrupt the status quo? We are seeking a dynamic Technical Lead to join our Global Innovation R&D team. In this role, you will collaborate with a cross-functional innovation pod supporting projects within our Taste Elevation platform. You will be tasked to uncover consumer insights and rapidly develop innovative food and packaging solutions. You will provide hands-on technical leadership through all stages of development, from developing the technical strategy and learning plan to executing early prototypes and subsequent scale-up and commercialization.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Set technical direction for assigned innovation initiatives, translating ambiguous concepts and consumer or business needs into technical roadmaps, testable hypotheses, and clear success criteria.
• Lead and prioritize a portfolio of technical initiatives, balancing business value, feasibility, risk, resource requirements, and speed to market.
• Lead integrated product, packaging, and process development from early prototyping through pilot and plant trials, test-market launch, and commercialization, as appropriate to the project scope.
• Direct rapid, hypothesis-driven experimentation, applying scientific methods and root cause analysis to validate assumptions, resolve technical challenges, and inform development decisions.
• Provide technical oversight of material, product, packaging, and processing-equipment interactions to deliver solutions that meet defined performance, quality, cost, and manufacturing requirements.
• Own technical scale-up and readiness assessments, coordinating feasibility testing, specifications, supply-chain readiness, and required food-safety, quality, and regulatory reviews with accountable functional partners.
• Lead R&D technical commercialization activities, including equipment and product validation, fit checks, factory acceptance testing, and first-production readiness, in partnership with Engineering, Operations, and Quality.
• Manage complex internal and external development partnerships, establishing clear deliverables, timelines, responsibilities, and escalation paths.
• Develop technical risk assessments and mitigation plans, communicating trade-offs and evidence-based recommendations to project teams, governance forums, and leadership.
• Partner with business and functional leaders to evaluate commercial viability, including development cost, capital requirements, manufacturing feasibility, and supply-chain implications.
• Develop and execute IP strategies in partnership with Legal, identifying protectable inventions and opportunities to create differentiated technical solutions.
• Lead and develop technical team capabilities through coaching, clear ownership, effective delegation, and alignment of resources with project priorities.
• Engage directly in hands-on technical and mechanical work when needed to accelerate learning, troubleshoot critical issues, and support the team.
• Integrate Agile ways of working with stage-gate and commercialization requirements, strengthening learning speed while maintaining technical rigor and required approvals.
• Influence cross-functional partners in Procurement, Legal, Quality, Engineering, and Operations to resolve barriers and improve innovation execution.
• Define and track technical delivery measures, assess test-market and launch outcomes with cross-functional partners, and transfer learning and technical knowledge to receiving teams.

Expected Experience & Required Skills

· BS/MS/PhD in Chemical Engineering, Biological Engineering, Packaging Engineering / Science, Materials Engineering, Food Engineering, or related field

· Minimum 8 years of relevant experience with a Bachelor’s or 7 years of relevant experience with Master’s or 6 years of relevant experience with PhD

· Demonstrated experience leading end-to-end product, packaging, or process development and commercialization in the food or consumer products industry, from concept through scale-up, launch, and post-launch assessment

· Ability to influence stakeholders and evolve processes through strong collaboration skills

· Is excited by quick-paced environments and continuous learning

· Naturally curious and creative, eager to explore alternative solutions

• Ability to translate consumer insights into measurable product, packaging, and technical requirements
• Brings a curious, creative, and consumer-focused mindset, with an entrepreneurial approach to navigating ambiguity, exploring alternative solutions, and learning rapidly in a fast-paced environment

· Enjoys mentoring junior scientists through hands-on work experience and collaboration

• Demonstrated ability and willingness to engage directly in hands-on technical and mechanical work

Work Environment & Schedule

This position is considered a Normal office environment with moderate travel to customer locations, stores, manufacturing facilities, etc.; offices are open workspaces Additionally, this role requires This position operates primarily in a hybrid work environment and is based at the Kraft Heinz R&D Innovation Center in Glenview, IL. Our hybrid model provides flexibility based on business needs, allowing employees to work virtually up to two days per week, with an expectation to work on-site at least three days per week at the Glenview Innovation Center (Glenview, IL).

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:

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:

• 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

Location(s)

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

INCLUSION MATTERS TO US

Everyone is welcome at our table. In fact, we thrive on learning and growing from our diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Doesn’t matter who you are, where you’re from, or who makes your heart sing. We want you to show up as your authentic self, excited to work with amazing colleagues to solve complex challenges and innovate in an ever-changing industry.

We’re committed to:

• Hiring and growing talent from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

• Growing our Business Resource Groups — vibrant, celebrated communities that enhance our business through thought leadership employee engagement and professional development opportunities.

• Providing our managers and leaders high quality learning experiences to explore how to foster inclusion and belonging.