Full Job Description
About Us
The Kraft Heinz Company is one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world, with eight $1 billion+ brands and global sales of approximately $25 billion. We’re a globally trusted producer of high-quality, great-tasting, and nutritious foods for over 150 years. While Kraft Heinz is co-headquartered in Chicago and Pittsburgh, our brands are truly global, with products produced and marketed in over 40 countries. These beloved products include condiments and sauces, cheese and dairy, meals, meats, refreshment beverages, coffee, infant and nutrition products, and numerous other grocery products in a portfolio of more than 200 legacy and emerging brands.
We spark joy around mealtime with our iconic brands, including Kraft, Oscar Mayer, Heinz, Philadelphia, Lunchables, Velveeta, Planters, Maxwell House, Capri Sun, Ore-Ida, Kool-Aid, Jell-O, Primal Kitchen, and Classico, among others.
No matter the brand, we’re united under one vision: To sustainably grow by delighting more consumers globally . Bringing this vision to life is our team of 39,000+ food lovers, creative thinkers, and high performers worldwide. Together, we help provide meals to those in need through our global partnership with Rise Against Hunger. We also stand committed to responsible, sustainable practices that extend to every facet of our business, our consumers, and our communities. Every day, we’re transforming the food industry with bold thinking and unprecedented results. If you share our passion – and are ready to create the future, build a legacy, and lead as a global citizen – there’s only one thing to do: join our table and let’s make life delicious!
Our Culture of Ownership, Meritocracy & Collaboration
We're not afraid to think differently. Embrace new ideas. Dream big. We empower our people at every level – from entry-level intern to senior leader – to own their work. We share a responsibility to think like Owners – to be mindful of the collective and sustained success of Kraft Heinz – which we apply to every situation, every day. As part of Kraft Heinz, you're supported to grow and achieve. You’re expected to bring your authentic self to work every day, to lead with humility, and drive outstanding performance at every level – and you’ll be rewarded. You’re given opportunities to leave a mark and build a legacy. But you won’t do it alone. You’re supported by passionate teammates along the way, and our collective, collaborative spirit fuels our incredible progress.
Job Description
Role Overview
This Product Development position will support the Canada Zone Beverage, Desserts, Infant, and Processed Cheese categories, be based in Glenview, IL and work on brands such as Heinz By Nature, Jell-O, Maxwell House, Cheez Whiz, Kraft, etc. The primary responsibility of this position is to execute innovation and renovation for product development and to support brand maintenance.
The candidate will be autonomous in executing technical projects to meet business initiatives focused on New Product Development. This includes designing and executing tests, analyzing data, drawing conclusions, documenting, communicating results, and commercializing products. Communication and teamwork skills are essential in this role, which operates in a dynamic and cross-functional environment with partners in Marketing, Operations, R&D, Quality, Procurement, Finance, Supply Chain, external ingredient/product suppliers, co-manufactures and other business partners. The candidate must also have a technical background and be able to apply prior learning or scientific principles to new situations.
This position requires an individual to manage multiple assignments/ tasks concurrently minimal supervisor guidance. The candidate is expected to lead his or her projects and exhibit a collaborative mindset to apply innovative solutions. Ready?
Responsibilities
Lead product development projects from formulation through scale up and start up.
Support extended cross functional team on initiatives to ensure speed to market.
Act as a R&D point person for the manufacturing plant and assist plant Operations with troubleshooting, design and/or product quality related issues.
Support general brand maintenance to ensure business continuity across multiple categories as needed.
Interact with Operations, Center R&D, US Business Units, equipment vendors, Quality, Regulatory, Finance and Marketing on an as needed basis to drive effective results as well as the dairy industry community.
Interface with all related technical experts and US category scientists to understand technologies and applications.
Manage technical timelines, provide clear and timely communication, raise issues and risks, and develop contingency plans leveraging strong project management skills
Monitor emerging trends and competitive activities in their categories of responsibility.
Conduct appropriate testing and develop recommendations/contingency plans based on findings.
Assist in scoping “fuzzy” front innovation ideas and participate/influence ideation sessions.
Conduct lab tests, pilot plant and large scale tests within manufacturing facilities to optimize formulation and/or process.
Write specifications that deliver consistent, high-quality products.
Maintain technical documentation.
Be a big dreamer.
Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree (Masters is a plus) - Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering
Minimum 2-3 years Product Development Experience (on cheese preferred) which require both formulation, packaging, and process to create.
Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
Understanding of ingredient interactions/functionality.
Executional excellence and personal leadership.
Self-motivated problem solver and the drive to deliver objectives in a complex, fast-paced environment.
The ability to plan, put together well thought out design of experiments, anticipate next steps and incorporate course corrections when hurdles appear.
Excellent verbal and written communication
Executional excellence, personal leadership and customer focus a must
Ability to learn new products and processes quickly
Willingness to travel 20% pending business needs. Travel could include (but not limited to): within United States and Canada to internal plants, co-manufacturers, and suppliers.
About The Kraft Heinz Company
The Kraft Heinz Company (NASDAQ: KHC) is the third-largest food and beverage company in North America and the fifth-largest food and beverage company in the world, with eight $1 billion+ brands. A globally trusted producer of delicious foods, The Kraft Heinz Company provides high quality, great taste and nutrition for all eating occasions whether at home, in restaurants or on the go. The Company’s iconic brands include Kraft , Heinz, ABC, Capri Sun , Classico , Jell-O , Kool-Aid, Lunchables, Maxwell House, Ore-Ida, Oscar Mayer, Philadelphia, Planters, Plasmon , Quero, Weight Watchers Smart Ones and Velveeta . The Kraft Heinz Company is dedicated to the sustainable health of our people, our planet and our Company. For more information, visit www.kraftheinzcompany.com .
The Kraft Heinz Company is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. Job seekers with disabilities who require accommodation during the recruitment process or would like more details about accessibility should contact: accessibility@kraftheinz.com.
IND123
#LI-Location
Glenview, IL
Location(s)
Glenview R&D Center
Equal Opportunity Employer–minorities/females/veterans/individuals with disabilities/sexual orientation/gender identity
