Sr Scientist, R&D - Ingredient Development

Kraft Heinz • Glenview, IL

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Sr Product Development Scientist will have the opportunity to be a technical leader by providing category direction and lead execution of Specification Strengthening projects across all categories and brands to enable growth, productivity, ESG, and brand maintenance. The candidate should have a proven record of successfully leading, executing, and commercializing projects ranging in technical complexity with minimal guidance, and getting results in a variety of challenging and complex settings. The candidate should have experience leading business initiatives while exhibiting a collaborative approach and applying innovative solutions. Strong communication and collaboration skills are essential in this role, which operates in a dynamic and cross-functional environment. This will include interactions with cross-function partners to verify the appropriate testing methodology is being used and/or identify the appropriate methodology, validate other specification data and performing testing to confirm based upon the use and function of the ingredient in application.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s is a plus) - Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biological Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, or related field
• Minimum 4 years of Product Development and commercialization experience within a CPG or equivalent
• Project management experience, technical expertise, and food science/processing knowledge
• Excellent communication, influencing, project management and problem solving skills
• Highly motivated and able to multi-task varying degrees of complex projects
• Willingness/ability to learn new product categories and/or processing areas
• Demonstrated ability to influence, manage multiple projects concurrently with the ability to prioritize work, and solve problems effectively.
• Brings an entrepreneurial spirit and growth mindset
• Ability to manage through ambiguity
• Strong experience in commercialization
• Understanding of ingredient interactions/functionality
• Self-motivated problem solver and the drive to deliver objectives in a complex, fast-paced environment

Responsibilities

• Leads development and execution across multiple projects ranging from low to high technical complexity within Central Research.
• Manage multiple assignments/research projects concurrently and possess the ability to prioritize between a variety of business initiatives.
• Deep knowledge of commercialization processes and activities as the technical/R&D lead. Ability to troubleshoot challenges.
• Work with cross functional teams acting as the lead product developer to drive execution across multiple projects.
• Provide updates to cross-functional teams; Identify hurdles and propose solutions.
• Translate research findings and cross-functional inputs into actionable work streams.
• Mentor, coach and collaborate with other colleagues within and outside of your immediate team.
• Demonstrate the ability to develop relationships with and coordinate commercialization activities across internal and external manufacturing facilities.
• Lead and complete product testing, qualification, and commercialization in laboratory and production environments.

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: Senior