Lead, R&D Pilot Plant

Job Description

Job Purpose

The Lead R&D - Pilot Plants provides leadership of the Glenview and Warrendale Research & Development Pilot Plants department. This role has full technical responsibility for the results of the teams efforts and for the effectiveness of its overall integration with other R&D and cross-functional partners. This is a Center R&D-based technical leadership role providing leadership for the identification of process and product technology driven projects and platforms feasibility evaluation and future scale-up and in-home consumer test production across our North American businesses. The candidate will be responsible for testing and resource allocation of driving technical projects to meet strategic business initiatives as well as coaching respective staff. This candidate should have a consistent record of process and/or product development as well as carrying out work plans and committing to results in a variety of settings. This includes understanding the business need completing tests operational efficiency analyzing data drawing conclusions communicating results and piloting commercialization. Proven communication leadership and teamwork skills are crucial in this role which operates in a cross-functional environment. The Lead should also have a strong technical background coupled with the ability to apply prior learning and operational principles to new situations. Exhibiting a collaborative approach and applying innovative solutions are key to success as well as using technical knowledge to develop and mentor others through successful product and process development scale up.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

Manage and supervise the Glenview and Warrendale pilot plant facilities including capital resources and staffing needs across categories

Manage and supervise the Glenview Small Batch Manufacturing space

Centralized North America leadership of Glenview and Warrendale pilot plant operations to share standard methodologies and build a community of subject matter experts

Lead and guide team leaders on handling project prioritization across different categories of pilot plants foster an environment of professional development establish career plans for rotations/cross-training on categories and lead all aspects of performance process

Manage dedicated maintenance team help establish required preventative maintenance for all pilot plant equipment to deliver uninterrupted service to internal customers

Cultivate leadership to all team members on strict adherence to safety and GMP procedures

Partners with EHS representative and leadership on the latest training and facility requirements

Align the KHC enterprise strategy (both short and long term) objectives to the assignments of

the pilot plant

Identify technical gaps or confirm resources are in place for feasibility to deliver business objectives

Implement necessary technologies equipment and efficiencies to deliver both short- and long-term goals

Document and communicate takeaways across team and with cross-functionals (i.e R&D Quality Manufacturing etc.)

Coordinate the resources and budgets for the area to meet business objectives

Directs work assignments scheduling and reviews of work in progress

Review technical feasibility of proposed solutions to product and process development projects

People Management Responsibilities

Team: 6 direct reports 30 total team responsibility.

Key Outputs & Deliverables

Deliver pilot scale production across product categories to support BU projects in the 1- and 3-year plans for North America

Lead and sustain a team of high-performing managers and technicians with clear capability deployment across the portfolio and improved bench strength. Manage coach mentor and retain employees including goal-setting performance management and hiring.

Ensure full compliance with safety and quality policies for all Pilot Plant areas including audits for the Small Batch Manufacturing space

In partnership with the Central Process team implement scalable processes in the pilot plant on priority brands to enable right first time and minimize rework at factory trials

In partnership with the Central Process team create capability to produce products that can be utilized for in-home consumer testing

Expected Experience & Required Skills

Bachelors degree with 10 years of experience in food industry manufacturing required.

Bachelors degree in Mechanical Chemical Food or related Engineering fields required.

10 years of R&D Operations or Supply Chain Development and project leadership experience (consumer goods food & beverage pharma or similar) preferred.

Experience leading coaching motivating and inspiring large teams in a R&D Manufacturing Operations or Quality environment

Practical experience for the establishment of process and product specifications (and quality systems/procedures for management of specifications)

Ability to translate long-term business strategy into multi-year business plan and supports strategy and process development

Be uniquely experienced in HACCP and FSMA to build new small batch manufacturing capability with minimal coaching/support

Technical skills to manage the resources and budgets for projects and platforms to drive execution and measure results

Strong pilot-scale process and product data analysis skills (including environmental checks)

Knowledge of FSMA and FDA guidelines needed to establish production of in-home test samples from the pilot plant

Certification of general food safety principles desired

Working knowledge of HACCP Food Defense and other food quality attributes preferred

Demonstrated experience in people management

Work Environment & Schedule

This position is based at the Kraft Heinz R&D Innovation Center in Glenview IL. Our hybrid model provides flexibility based on business needs allowing employees to work virtually up to two days per week with an expectation to work on-site at least three days per week at the Glenview Innovation Center.

Physical Requirements

Physical demands include but not limited to

Physical presence in pilot plant for team and program leadership

Regular office work

This job description is not designed to cover or contain all duties or responsibilities that are required of the role. Duties or responsibilities may change or be added with or without notice.

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:

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 candidates 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 savingfor the future we offer plans tailored to meet you and your familys needs. Coveragefor 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 aphysical social emotional and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.

Youll 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 401kLife Accidental Death & Dismemberment Disability

Location(s)

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 for assistance.