Lead, State Affairs – West

Kraft Heinz • Chicago, IL

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The State Affairs Leader of the West Coast will play a critical role on the State Government Affairs team, driving Kraft Heinz Company's (KHC) state-level advocacy efforts to shape public policy and advance business objectives. This role is instrumental in promoting and protecting KHC's interests in priority states, ultimately contributing to the company's long-term success and growth. This role will report to the Associate Director of State Government Affairs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree
• Deep knowledge of state legislative/regulatory processes and state lobbying compliance.
• Exceptional advocacy, negotiation, and communication skills; ability to translate complex policy into clear business implications.
• Strong project, budget, and vendor management; KPI- and outcome-oriented.
• High integrity, nonpartisan judgment, and discretion with sensitive information.
• Willingness to travel
• 8+ years in state government (legislature, governor/AG office, or state agency) or state lobbying experience
• Proven record drafting/negotiating legislation and regulations, delivering testimony, and securing enactments or defeating adverse proposals.
• Established relationships with governors’ offices, legislative leadership, and key committee chairs across multiple states.
• Demonstrated SME depth in at least two areas relevant to KHC (e.g., food safety/labeling; agriculture and nutrition programs; packaging/EPR; tax/incentives; workforce/labor; environment/climate; privacy/data), evidenced by authored comments/testimony or task force participation.
• Experience managing external consultants/contract lobbyists and leading cross-functional issue teams.
• Coalition-building experience and engagement with state policy organizations (e.g., NCSL, CSG, NGA).

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree (JD, MA, MBA, etc.)
• Corporate experience on a state government affairs team
• Demonstrated senior-level experience within state or local government

Responsibilities

• Lead government affairs for a region of states to increase KHC’s influence on state legislation; set priorities and strategies
• Serve as the primary state lobbyist in priority states: draft/negotiates bill language and amendments, recruit sponsors, deliver testimony, and drive committee/floor outcomes.
• Support and maintain strategic, bipartisan relationships with governors’ offices, legislative leadership, and chairs of key committees; develop relationship maps and engagement plans.
• Act as a subject-matter expert in at least two KHC-relevant policy areas; produce position papers, model bill text, executive briefs, and public comments; represent KHC in rulemaking and stakeholder forums.
• Build and lead coalitions with companies, suppliers, retailers, chambers, NGOs, and trade associations
• Monitor and forecast state legislative, regulatory, and ballot initiatives; provide early-warning alerts with recommended actions.
• Manage external consultants/contract lobbyists, budgets, and performance; ensure state lobbying registrations, reporting, and ethics/pay-to-play compliance.
• Manage cross-functionally (Legal, Regulatory, R&D, Supply Chain, ESG, Commercial, HR, Communications) to support state-level crisis/issue response strategy

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.
• Events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.
• Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments
• Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training
• Employee Assistance Program, Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs
• 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

What This Job Offers

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