Manager, R&D - Ingredient Development

Kraft Heinz • Glenview, IL

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This R&D Manager role will manage Kraft Heinz Ingredient Specification Strengthening across all categories and brands and lead a team of developers to drive our core business. This role interfaces directly with the business and offers the ability to lead technically challenging projects and initiatives supporting productivity, growth, renovation, and brand maintenance. Success in the role requires strong cross-functional collaboration, strategic influence, problem solving, thoughtful career development planning for the team, and prioritization to lead multiple projects simultaneously. A successful candidate will have a technical background in food science or engineering, demonstrated strength in the commercialization process, proven ability to design product /ingredient testing at plant scale, a growth mindset, and powerful teamwork skills.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s is a plus) - Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biological Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, or related field.
• 6 years of Product Development and commercialization experience within a CPG or equivalent.
• Ability to lead, coach, develop, and inspire others.
• Strong experience in R&D commercialization with a high degree of autonomy.
• Strong learning agility and ability to think on the fly.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment, managing a complex network of stakeholders.
• Understanding of ingredient interactions/functionality.
• Self-motivated problem solver and critical thinker with the drive to deliver objectives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Manage multiple assignments/tasks concurrently with the ability to prioritize work for self and others.
• Understanding of Design of Experiments.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Excellent influencing skills.
• Willingness to travel 30% pending business needs. Travel could include (but not limited to): within United States and Canada to internal plants, co-manufacturers, and suppliers.

Nice To Haves

• Experience across a broad range of food types, ingredients, formulations, and manufacturing processes desired but not a prerequisite.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with the business units, cross-functional teams, plants, Technical SMEs and suppliers as the R&D platform manager to support strategy, manage projects, and direct developers.
• Lead the resources and budgets for projects and initiatives within the category.
• Assist in scoping, prioritizing and executing specification work streams.
• Lead developers to design and implement work plans, analyze data, draw conclusions, document findings, present results, and complete work streams appropriately.
• Communicate regularly with the Business Unit R&D Leads and cross-functional partners.
• Ability to direct developers within workstreams.
• Interface with all related technical experts and internal category scientists to understand technologies and applications.
• Collaborate with teams to understand and ensure product quality and food safety requirements are defined and delivered through the completion of raw material, finished product and quality specifications that deliver consistent, high-quality products.
• Run technical timelines, provide clear and timely communication, complete risk assessments, raise issues, and develop contingency plans demonstrating strong project management skills.
• Elevate the competence and know-how of junior developers through training, coaching, and external networking.
• Management of junior staff including creation of development plans, building teamwork, and balancing of workload to help deliver projects.

Benefits

• Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.
• Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments
• Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, 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