External Manufacturing Lead

The Kraft Heinz Company • Chicago, IL

1d

About The Position

The Lead, External Manufacturing is accountable for end-to-end performance of a domestic network of co-manufacturers/co-packers supporting the Meat, Cheese, Coffee, and Snacks business unit. The role will lead the operating rhythm with external manufacturers (EMs) and internal partners, and drive excellence across safety, quality, service, and efficiency.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Food Science, Supply Chain/Operations, or related field.
• 8–10 years of operations or supply chain experience, including experience working with external manufacturers
• Strong knowledge of food safety/regulatory requirements:
• Strong cross-functional leadership, communication, and prioritization skills
• Experience leading commercialization at external sites, including trials and run-at-rate
• Demonstrated success integrating EMs into S&OP and capacity planning and improving yield and conversion cost performance.
• Comfortable with plant environments and frequent travel (25–50%).

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end performance of external manufacturers across safety, quality, food safety, service, and efficiency.
• Lead weekly operations and quarterly business reviews, maintain scorecards and key performance indicators, hold partners accountable for corrective actions and sustained results, and drive timely issue closure.
• Partner with Procurement and Legal to negotiate, execute, and manage commercial agreements with third-party manufacturers.
• Define and maintain service agreements and statements of work covering conversion pricing, capacity commitments, service levels, and change control, and manage renewals and pricing adjustments.
• Integrate external manufacturers into planning and weekly production schedules.
• Align demand forecasts with capacity and material needs, run scenario analysis, balance production across sites to manage constraints, promotions, and seasonality, and mitigate supply risks.
• Lead onboarding and technical transfers for external sites and lines.
• Conduct due diligence and capability assessments, plan and run validation trials, confirm performance at required production rates, manage formula, specification, and packaging changes through documented change control, and confirm launch readiness.
• Ensure partners comply with all food safety, regulatory, and company quality standards.
• Oversee internal and third-party audits, including regulatory inspections, monitor trends, and lead investigations and root cause analysis with verified corrective and preventive actions.
• Drive continuous improvement using Lean and Six Sigma.
• Improve schedule adherence, throughput, changeovers, and labor and utility efficiency, and deliver a prioritized, quantified pipeline of cost and waste reductions.
• Partner with Finance to manage external manufacturing financials.
• Track conversion costs versus standards, monitor inflation impacts, measure purchase and material price variances, support annual and long-range plans and monthly forecasts, and confirm realization of productivity savings.

Benefits

• 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: $141,500.00 - $176,900.00
• 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: 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level