The Procurement Manager for Innovation connects Kraft Heinz business strategy, brand ambition, and supplier capability to bring new products to life. This role sits at the center of innovation, partnering across the business and with external suppliers to identify new concepts, unlock emerging technologies, and enable strong commercialization outcomes. This innovation procurement role is designed to embed procurement early in the innovation process, anticipate future supplier capabilities, and translate business and brand strategy into scalable supplier solutions. The role also connects business unit innovation with core procurement teams — including Ingredients, Packaging, and External Manufacturing — to ensure preferred supplier alignment, supplier readiness, contracting, and seamless launch execution. For externally manufactured innovation, this role leads end-to-end sourcing and commercialization support, from supplier selection and contracting through onboarding, development, launch, and early lifecycle management. After launch, the role ensures a smooth transition to the appropriate base business procurement team. The ideal candidate is strategic, collaborative, digitally savvy, and energized by the opportunity to shape what’s next. They are curious by nature, strong in influence and storytelling, comfortable navigating ambiguity, and passionate about building supplier partnerships that accelerate innovation and drive growth.
Partner with brand, business, and cross-functional teams to understand innovation strategy, pipeline priorities, and future capability requirements
Identify and develop supplier partners that can enable innovation strategy, conduct continuous landscape assessments for the category, elevate commercialization, and unlock new growth opportunities through proactively shaping supplier partnerships to meet business needs
Serve as a key connector between business unit innovation and core procurement teams, including Ingredients, Packaging, and External Manufacturing, to align preferred suppliers, supplier readiness, contracting, and launch support for internally manufactured innovation
Lead external manufacturing sourcing and commercialization activities for applicable innovation projects, including supplier identification, strategic sourcing, commercial negotiation, IP and CAPEX considerations, contracting, onboarding, and supplier ways-of-working setup
Act as the primary point of contact for external manufacturing innovation partners through development, commercialization, launch, and early lifecycle support
Drive supplier relationship management for innovation partners, including performance management, collaboration routines, issue resolution, and launch readiness
Drive continuous improvement, process efficiency, and best practices across innovation sourcing, supplier collaboration, and commercialization processes
Facilitate cross-functional forums (working with finance, operations, marketing, sales, legal, quality, R&D) and lead working sessions that strengthen alignment, simplify complexity, and improve procurement’s impact on innovation delivery
Execute supplier segmentation and supplier relationship management routines in line with Kraft Heinz principles, including business reviews and continuous improvement across quality, service, sustainability, cost, and performance
Expected Experience & Required Skills
Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, operations, finance, business, engineering, or a related field; MBA and/or advanced procurement qualifications preferred
Experience in Procurement, including areas such as Ingredients, Packaging, CAPEX, External Manufacturing, or related categories; Finance or process engineering experience is also valued
Literacy in and curiosity about AI solutions, with interest in how they can improve insight generation, decision making, and ways of working
Strong strategic thinking and business acumen, with the ability to connect procurement decisions to brand, category, and business strategy
Ability to prioritize effectively, balance competing priorities, assess trade-offs, and focus time and resources on the highest-value work to deliver innovation with speed and rigor
Advanced storytelling and communication skills, with the ability to turn complex ideas into clear, compelling messages for different audiences . Strong written, verbal, and analytical skills, as well as interpersonal and presentation skills.
Change leadership capability, including the ability to influence adoption, align stakeholders, and move work from concept to execution
Risk sensing and scenario planning capability, with the ability to anticipate issues, evaluate alternatives, and build practical paths forward
Strong process orientation and continuous improvement mindset, with the ability to drive efficiencies, simplify complexity, and establish scalable best practices
Strong analytical, planning, and execution skills, with attention to detail across multiple priorities and projects
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and have an understanding for source-to-pay tools (SAP, Ariba, etc.).
Work Environment & Schedule
This position is considered a Normal office environment with limited travel or visits to external locations; offices are open workspaces To create a more agile and modern workplace, we allow Chicago/Aon Center based employees to work virtually for up to two days each week and expect them to work in-person during the defined core days at their assigned work location at least three days per workweek.
Our Total Rewards philosophy is to provide a meaningful and flexible spectrum of programs that equitably support our diverse workforce and their families and complement Kraft Heinz’ strategy and values.
New Hire Base Salary Range:
$104,200.00 - $130,200.00
Bonus: This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.
The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors
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. Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.
Wellbeing: We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.
You’ll be able to participate in a variety of benefits and wellbeing programs that may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors, for example:
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
Location(s)
Chicago/Aon Center
Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for protected individuals, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact [email protected] for assistance.
