Sr Sci, R&D - Packaging Dev
About The Position
Join Kraft Heinz Research & Development as a Senior Packaging Scientist! This role involves leading packaging development projects across various platforms, including brands like Jell-O, Kraft Mac & Cheese, Stove Top, and Crystal Light. The Senior Packaging Scientist will be responsible for the technical development and commercialization of complex projects, focusing on scoping, developing, validating, and scaling innovative technologies. This position requires balancing business needs such as sustainability, compliance, and value engineering. Strong communication and teamwork are essential for partnering with multiple business units and cross-functional teams. The role demands an independent, self-driven individual capable of managing multiple concurrent assignments with minimal guidance.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Packaging, Chemical, or Mechanical Engineering (or related field) with minimum 4 years of experience; or Master’s with 3 years; or PhD with 2 years of relevant CPG experience.
- Actively challenges the status quo, identifies inefficiencies in legacy processes, and introduces methodologies to optimize how work gets done.
- Takes personal pride in delivering high-quality, robust packaging solutions that elevate brands and delight consumers.
- Proven ability to solve complex primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging challenges ranging across innovation, sustainability, and cost optimization.
- Strong communication and influencing skills, deep understanding of roles and responsibilities of cross-functional teams, and willingness to lead, coach, and motivate junior engineers.
- Demonstrated history of driving complex projects from front-end ideation through to commercial launch.
- Thorough understanding of commercialization processes including feasibility screenings, risk identification, and working through manufacturing line constraints.
- Expert ownership of Packaging R&D timelines, risk mitigation plans, and designs of experiment.
- Proficient in navigating and maintaining packaging specification systems (PLM, SAP, etc.) to ensure absolute data quality and accuracy.
- Highly organized with a demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize multiple assignments/tasks concurrently without loss of quality.
- Willingness to travel 20-40% to manufacturing plants and vendor facilities.
Responsibilities
- Complete the design and development of primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging formats with a strong understanding of numerous packaging materials (Flexible films, rigid plastics, barrier technologies, fiber, etc.).
- Lead technical problem solving for packaging projects through complex Designs of Experiment (DOE), statistical analysis, and structured root-cause investigations to evaluate, validate, and troubleshoot new technologies.
- Contribute to technical documentation and knowledge sharing (e.g., summaries, test reports, learnings) to support team capability-building and consistency.
- Translate technical research findings and trial data into clear business cases, documented test reports, and actionable business decisions for cross-functional stakeholders.
- Manage multiple assignments/projects concurrently and possess the ability to prioritize between a variety of business initiatives.
- Own all phases of packaging commercialization including material selection, spec creation, trials, lab testing, shelf-life, and iterative development in laboratory and production environments.
- Support prototyping development for consumer testing, pilot line setup, and scale-up as required to enable commercialization.
- Adapt and apply scientific principles to new situations, technologies, and products.
- Exhibit a collaborative attitude and apply innovative solutions to day-to-day challenges.
Benefits
- 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
- Eligible for a performance-based bonus
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
