Lead, R&D - Product Development
About The Position
The R&D Lead for the Hydration Beverages business unit drives near-, mid-, and long-term product development strategies for brands including Capri Sun, Kool-Aid, and Mio. The role oversees innovation, renovation, productivity, service continuity, and other initiatives across North America, while providing strategic direction, technical coaching, and team development. It is based at the Glenview, IL Innovation Center and follows a flexible hybrid schedule requiring at least three days per week at a KHC facility, with approximately 20% travel. The R&D Lead partners with business units, cross-functional teams, plants, and suppliers to develop category strategies and guide projects from concept through commercialization. The role includes category resource planning and budget management, translating research and consumer insights into recommendations, guiding developers through testing and commercialization, and ensuring project priorities, timelines, risk plans, product quality, food safety, regulatory compliance, and speed to market. The Lead also monitors competitors and emerging technologies, evaluates technical options with experts, and develops team members and succession plans. The position is in a normal office environment with open workspaces and moderate travel to customer locations, stores, and manufacturing facilities. The advertised new-hire base salary range is $141,500 to $176,900, and the position is eligible for a performance-based bonus. The employer describes employee benefits and wellbeing programs that may vary by role and region.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical field and at least 11 years of relevant experience, or a master’s degree and at least 10 years of relevant experience.
- Technical experience in beverages, such as ready-to-drink products, powders, or liquid concentrates.
- Demonstrated experience leading R&D product development and commercialization in a complex, cross-functional environment.
- Strong understanding of ingredient functionality, ingredient interactions, and Design of Experiments.
- Ability to develop, coach, and lead others while fostering a collaborative, high-performing team environment.
- Strong project management skills, including managing multiple priorities, allocating resources, assessing risk, and prioritizing work for self and others.
- Self-motivated problem-solving ability, capacity to work independently, and ability to deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to translate technical findings into clear business opportunities and actionable recommendations.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, influencing, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to apply scientific principles and prior learning to new challenges and opportunities.
- Willingness to travel up to 20% based on business needs.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the R&D category lead, partnering with business units, cross-functional teams, plants, and suppliers to develop category strategies and guide projects from concept through commercialization.
- Lead category resource planning and budget management to support business priorities.
- Scope and advance business opportunities by translating research, consumer insights, and technical findings into actionable recommendations.
- Guide developers in designing and executing tests, analyzing data, documenting findings, and commercializing products.
- Establish project priorities, technical timelines, risk assessments, and contingency plans, and provide timely updates to business and R&D leaders.
- Partner with cross-functional teams to support commercialization excellence, product quality, food safety, regulatory compliance, and speed to market.
- Monitor category competitors and identify emerging technologies and external partnerships that can enable differentiated innovation.
- Collaborate with technical experts and category scientists to evaluate technologies, applications, raw materials, and product specifications.
- Lead, coach, and develop team members, build succession plans, and foster a high-performing, collaborative, and inclusive culture.
Benefits
- Performance-based bonus
- Healthcare coverage for employees and eligible dependents
- Paid time off
- Company holidays
- Leave of absence
- Flexible work arrangements
- Recognition
- Training
- Employee Assistance Program
- Wellbeing programs
- Family support programs
- 401k
- Life insurance
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment coverage
- Disability coverage
- Medical coverage
- Prescription drug coverage
- Dental coverage
- Vision coverage
- Screenings and assessments
- Physical, social, emotional, and financial wellbeing resources and learning opportunities
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
