Senior Manager, R&D - Pod Lead

The Kraft Heinz Company
United States
Workplace: HybridFull timeUSD 120,800 - 151,000 annuallyFunction: Research & Scientific (R&D)Experience: 8+ yearsSkills: ["Collaboration","Mentoring","Entrepreneurial mindset","Consumer focus","Creative problem-solving"]

Lead an R&D innovation pod within the Taste Elevation platform, translating ambiguous ideas into testable hypotheses and hands-on prototypes. Guide iterative development from early feasibility through scalable plant trials and test market launches, including in-market validation and supply chain/specs work. Collaborate across cross-functional partners to evolve ways of working, generate IP strategy, champion Agile methodologies, and mentor technical talent across product, packaging, processing, quality, safety, operations, and regulatory requirements.

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The Kraft Heinz Company
The Kraft Heinz Company
1 week ago

Senior Manager, R&D - Pod Lead

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Last checked: 4 hours agoStatus: Live

Job Summary

Lead an R&D innovation pod within the Taste Elevation platform, translating ambiguous ideas into testable hypotheses and hands-on prototypes. Guide iterative development from early feasibility through scalable plant trials and test market launches, including in-market validation and supply chain/specs work. Collaborate across cross-functional partners to evolve ways of working, generate IP strategy, champion Agile methodologies, and mentor technical talent across product, packaging, processing, quality, safety, operations, and regulatory requirements.
Location: United States
Workplace: Hybrid
Employment Type: Full time
Job Function: Research & Scientific (R&D)
Seniority: Sr. Manager level

Key Responsibilities

  • •Translate ambiguous ideas into technical plans and testable hypotheses for innovation projects.
  • •Manage complex workflows with internal and external partners to drive pod execution.
  • •Lead product/pack/process development from early prototyping through scalable plant trials and test market launches.
  • •Drive rapid experimentation to validate assumptions and refine product features.
  • •Provide technical leadership across feasibility, development, scale-up, specifications/supply chain, and in-market validation; guide Agile stage gate and commercialization process adaptation.
Travel: Medium travel

Pay and Benefits

Salary: USD 120,800 - 151,000 annually
Perks:MedicalDentalVision401kPaid LeaveFlexible Work

Key Requirements

  • •BS or MS (or PhD) in Chemical Engineering, Biological Engineering, Packaging Engineering/Science, Materials Engineering, Food Science, Food Engineering, Consumer Science, or a related field.
  • •8+ years of relevant experience (or 7+ with a Master’s, or 6+ with a PhD).
  • •Extensive experience commercializing products end-to-end in the food or consumer products industry.
  • •Experience translating ambiguity into concrete technical plans and testable hypotheses.
  • •Strong collaboration skills to influence stakeholders and evolve processes; experience mentoring junior scientists.
Experience:8+ yearsFoodConsumer productsAgileR&DProduct commercialization
Education:
Skills:CollaborationMentoringEntrepreneurial mindsetConsumer focusCreative problem-solving
Tech Stack:AgileAgile methodologies

Company Brief

The Kraft Heinz Company
The Kraft Heinz Company is a global food and beverage company producing iconic packaged foods and condiments across categories like cheese, meals, condiments, and beverages, serving retail, foodservice, and consumer markets worldwide.
Industry: Food & Beverage
Company Size: Enterprise (1,001+ employees)
Revenue: USD 1B+
Growth: Public Company
Valuation: Public Company (Market Cap in USD)
Funding: IPO / Publicly Listed
Headquarters: Chicago, United States
Founded: 2015
WebsiteLinkedIn