R&D Pilot Plant Production Manager

Kraft Heinz • Glenview, IL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The R&D Pilot Plant Production Manager is responsible for the safe, efficient, and compliant execution of all production activities across Kraft Heinz’s pilot plant facilities in Warrendale, Glenview, and Glenview Small Batch Manufacturing (SBM). This role owns the production floor, including scheduling and running trials, managing Technicians and Production staff, ensuring GMP and food safety compliance in every run, and delivering consistent output quality against R&D project requirements. Oversight of projects, sanitation, maintenance, and materials & logistics sits with the R&D NA Pilot Plant Operations Lead, R&D and this role partners closely with those functions to ensure seamless production delivery.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with 5+ years of experience in R&D, pilot plant operations, food manufacturing, or a closely related environment
• 3+ years of people leadership experience, including direct management of technical or operations teams.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a production schedule, meet output targets, and resolve day-to-day operational problems under time pressure.
• Experience working within GMP and food safety frameworks in a regulated production environment.
• Working knowledge of HACCP, GMP requirements, and sanitation standards in a food production setting.
• Familiarity with food safety regulations including OSHA, FDA, USDA, and EPA requirements applicable to food manufacturing.
• Experience with production scheduling, variance reporting, and basic labor cost management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Teams)
• Hands-on, floor-present leadership style; comfortable working alongside the team in a production environment.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent production activities without losing attention to detail.
• Clear, direct communicator; able to give production updates and flag issues concisely to the Lead and cross-functional partners.
• Solutions-oriented problem solver; able to troubleshoot production issues quickly and keep runs on track.
• Collaborative team player who works effectively within a structure where strategic decisions sit above this role.
• Responsible for wearing proper PPE, compliance of safety training, policy & procedures, and reporting any unsafe safety conditions to management.
• Responsible for safely operating any production equipment and tools.
• Participate in any internal and external quality audits and assist in the development of procedures and corrective actions.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with ERP or production management systems (e.g., SAP) is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own the day-to-day and weekly production schedule for pilot plant and SBM activities across Warrendale and Glenview, coordinating with the Pilot Plant Operations Lead on project priorities and resource availability.
• Ensure production lines are appropriately staffed, equipped, and ready for each scheduled run.
• Monitor and report on production output, volume, labor utilization, and schedule adherence, while escalating variances and risks promptly to the Pilot Plant Ops Lead.
• Ensure strict adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), SOPs, HACCP protocols, and Kraft Heinz product specifications on the production floor at all times.
• Oversee and lead the implementation of the KHMS quality and food safety programs and operational standards in partnership with the Quality Manager.
• Liaison between R&D Developers, R&D Leaders, Quality, Marketing, and other cross-functions for ideation, planning, trialing, and production in the pilot plants.
• Implement necessary technologies, equipment and efficiencies to deliver both short and long-term goals.
• Support the set up, run, and close out of production trials when needed in accordance with approved protocols, SOPs, and R&D project requirements.
• Lead the team that we are the first line of quality oversight during production runs; identify non-conformances in real time and initiate corrective actions.
• Participate in quality audits and support execution of corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs) as directed by the Pilot Plant Ops Lead.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, FDA, USDA, and EPA regulations as they apply to pilot plant production activities.
• Track and report quality defect trends from production runs, partnering with the Pilot Plant Ops Lead to identify root causes and eliminate recurring failures.
• Directly supervise Pilot Plant Technicians and production staff, providing clear direction, performance feedback, and day-to-day coaching.
• Support hiring, onboarding, and performance management processes for production team members in partnership with the Pilot Plant Ops Lead.
• Deliver required GMP, safety, and job skills training to production staff; maintain up-to-date training records.
• Foster a team culture of accountability, quality, and continuous improvement on the production floor.
• Maintain a safe production environment through consistent enforcement of the Kraft Heinz Safety Process on the floor.
• Conduct regular area safety inspections; identify and escalate hazards promptly; administer corrective actions within scope.
• Lead accident investigations for production-floor incidents; communicate findings and corrective actions to the Pilot Plant Ops Lead and EHS.
• Ensure all production staff complete required safety training and that safety procedures are followed without exception.
• Prepare and maintain accurate production records, trial reports, and required regulatory documentation.
• Develop and report on production KPIs including volume output, schedule adherence, labor efficiency, and quality conformance.
• Communicate production status, issues, and outcomes clearly and consistently to the Lead and relevant cross-functional partners.
• Support the Pilot Plant Lead in preparing broader operational cost and variance analyses by providing accurate production-level data.

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.
• 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