Sr Sci, R&D - Packaging Dev

Kraft Heinz•Glenview, IL

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Join Kraft Heinz Research & Development as a Senior Packaging Scientist! This role involves leading packaging development projects across iconic brands like Jell-O, Kraft Mac & Cheese, Stove Top, and Crystal Light. You will be responsible for the technical development and commercialization of complex projects, including scoping, developing, validating, and scaling innovative technologies that meet business needs such as sustainability, compliance, and value engineering. Strong communication and teamwork are essential as you partner with multiple business units and cross-functional teams. This is an independent role requiring self-driven individuals 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 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.