Manager, R&D – Packaging Margin Enhancement

The Kraft Heinz Company • Glenview, IL

23h • Hybrid

About The Position

The R&D Manager for Packaging Margin Enhancement leads medium-to-high complexity packaging margin enhancement projects and manages a team of packaging developers to deliver productivity and cost optimization across Kraft Heinz North America business units. This role partners directly with BU R&D and cross-functional teams to deliver technically complex, high-impact projects that improve packaging performance and profitability. Success requires a blend of technical packaging expertise, strong commercialization experience, and the ability to coach and develop a high-performing team, all while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
• 6+ years of experience in CPG packaging R&D, with demonstrated progression in technical and leadership scope
• Proven track record of leading packaging commercialization projects end-to-end with high autonomy
• Experience managing or mentoring direct reports, with strong coaching and development skills
• Proficiency in Design of Experiments (DoE) and data-driven decision-making
• Strong understanding of packaging materials, structures, and their interactions with food products
• Exceptional project management skills and able to manage competing priorities across a complex stakeholder network
• High learning agility with the ability to adapt quickly in a dynamic, ambiguous environment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with demonstrated ability to influence without authority
• Willingness to travel up to 30% domestically (U.S. and Canada), including visits to internal plants, co-manufacturers, and suppliers

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead medium-to-high complexity packaging productivity projects across all categories and provide technical direction to developers from concept through commercialization
• Design and oversee plant-scale packaging tests and guide developers in data analysis, conclusions, documentation, and results communication
• Translate R&D findings into quantifiable business opportunities and present recommendations to cross-functional and BU leadership
• Partner with suppliers, plants, co-manufacturers, and internal technical experts to evaluate and implement packaging technologies and materials
• Ensure quality requirements are clearly defined and embedded into specifications, delivering consistent, consumer-ready products
• Serve as a primary R&D point of contact for BU R&D Leads, maintaining regular, transparent communication on project status and risks
• Support cross-functional teams (Marketing, Supply Chain, Procurement, Operations) to drive speed-to-market on packaging initiatives
• Own project timelines, risk assessments, issue escalation, and contingency planning across a portfolio of concurrent initiatives
• Manage team budgets and resource allocation to ensure delivery of in-year and pipeline projects
• Guide developers through project commercialization activities with strong technical rigor, ensuring statistical tools, technical excellence methods, and documentation best practices are consistently applied.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of junior packaging developers through structured development plans, workload balancing, and performance feedback
• Elevate team capability through training, stretch assignments, and external industry networking
• Foster a culture of inclusion, sustainability, continuous learning, and owner-mentality

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.
• 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: Manager