Manager, Procurement - Innovation (Elevation)

Kraft Heinz • Chicago, IL

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

This role is responsible for executing the external innovation strategy development and deployment for Kraft Heinz’s food and beverage product categories. The Manager, Procurement - Innovation will manage the External Innovation Deployment process for new product innovations, guiding concepts from incubation through accelerated test market launches to full-scale factory production and national launch. This position will also support external manufacturing Category Managers on commercialization of scale-up innovations. Key responsibilities include strategic sourcing activities such as supplier selection, competitive bidding, negotiation of commercial terms (including IP and CAPEX strategies), contracting, and supplier onboarding. The role serves as the primary liaison between Kraft Heinz and vendors throughout the commercialization, launch, and initial product lifecycle. Additionally, the role involves fostering effective supplier relationships, driving performance accountability, and leveraging supplier expertise to accelerate the innovation pipeline. This includes conducting landscape analysis to identify and evaluate potential suppliers, facilitating forums to improve innovation processes, and implementing best practices in strategic sourcing, supplier development, and procurement's role in new product commercialization. The role also entails executing supplier segmentation and managing supplier relationships, including business performance reviews, continuous improvement, sustainability, quality, service, and cost management. Finally, the role will drive supplier-led innovation by aligning capabilities and technology with business needs and fostering collaboration between Kraft Heinz and external partners.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, operations, finance, business, or equivalent.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in Procurement ( i.e., Indirect, CAPEX , Ingredients, Packaging) , and/or Finance .
• Demonstrated knowledge or experience in food or beverage manufacturing process.
• Enjoy working in a fast-paced environment with other driven stakeholders.
• Results oriented, driven, and able to execute innovation strategies.
• Process-thinking mindset to drive new processes and value streams.
• Ability to effectively negotiate and influence business decisions and change.
• Strong written, verbal, and analytical skills, as well as interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Leadership role experience and preferably experience working in diverse teams and matrix organizations.
• Ability to quickly develop a level of organizational agility, i.e., know how to get things done both through formal and informal channels.
• Ability to balance competing priorities and spend their time and the time of others on what’s most important .
• Able to multitask and juggle projects at varying levels of complexity.
• Have strong analytical, planning, and execution skills, including exceptional attention to detail.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and have an understanding for source-to-pay tools (SAP, Ariba, etc.).

Nice To Haves

• MBA and/or advanced Procurement qualifications preferred (CPM, CPIM, etc.).
• Candidates with an equivalent combination of experience and/or education will be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Process engineering experience is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Execute the external innovation strategy development and deployment for Kraft Heinz’s food and beverage product categories.
• Execute the External Innovation Deployment process for new product innovations, taking product concepts and ideas from incubation at small scale pilot facilities through accelerated test market launches to full-scale factory production and national launch.
• Support for external manufacturing Category Managers on commercialization on scale-up innovations.
• Responsible for strategic sourcing activities related to supplier selection, including competitive bidding, sourcing selection, commercial terms negotiation, including IP and CAPEX strategies, contracting, supplier onboarding (system on-boarding and establishing ways of working), and being the primary relationship liaison between KHC and the vendor throughout commercialization, launch, and initial product lifecycle.
• Create and foster effective supplier relationships and performance accountability as well as leverage their expertise and capabilities to accelerate and streamline the execution of our innovation pipeline.
• Conduct landscape analysis to identify and evaluate existing and potential suppliers that have the required capabilities to execute our innovation projects.
• Facilitate forums to identify areas of opportunity within Kraft Heinz innovation processes and implement best practices, new ways of working, and/or processes to streamline efficiency and effectiveness related to strategic sourcing, supplier development, and procurement’s role in commercialization of new product(s).
• Responsible to effectively execute supplier segmentation according to Kraft Heinz principles and implement the corresponding supplier relationship management routines ; including business performance reviews, continuous improvement opportunities, sustainability, quality, service, and cost management.
• Execute supplier led innovation through Supplier relationships and internal stakeholder management aligning capabilities and technology with the needs of the business.
• Foster collaboration between Kraft Heinz and external partners to unlock growth and value.

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.
• 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: Manager