Sr. Manager, R&D – Culinary Innovation Lab

Job Description

Job Purpose

We are seeking a strategic consumer-obsessed culinary leader to drive culinary-led innovation and unlock new growth opportunities for Kraft this role you will lead a team of culinary professionals within the Culinary Innovation Lab to build and scale a culinary innovation capability translating emerging consumer trends and insights into actionable ideas and innovation pipelines that support brand and business priorities. Working cross-functionally with Marketing Insights R&D and external partners you will lead end-to-end innovation - from identifying opportunity spaces to developing and testing concepts through rapid prototyping and consumer validation. Using agile methodologies you will guide teams through iterative development delivering Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) and accelerating speed-to-insight and speed-to-market. You will also lead the North America culinary trends program and help elevate culinary expertise as a strategic driver of innovation across the organization. The role plays a critical part in shaping future innovation pipeline and accelerating growth across Kraft Heinzs North America portfolio.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

Lead coach and develop a team of culinary professionals fostering a high-performance collaborative culture while building technical capability and leadership skills.

Lead the development and evolution of culinary-led innovation tools methodologies and processes to meet dynamic business needs

Translate North America business priorities and consumer insights into clear innovation opportunities and dig spaces

Facilitate cross-functional teams through ideation concept development and whitespace exploration

Guide culinary teams in rapid prototyping and iterative product development integrating consumer testing and learning plans

Champion agile ways of working to accelerate speed-to-insight and speed-to-market

Identify and build strategic partnerships (internal and external) to enhance innovation capabilities

Manage multiple projects simultaneously including oversight of budgets resources and timelines

Lead the North America culinary trends program identifying and translating trends into actionable ideas for brands and innovation pipelines

Partner with cross-functional teams to develop compelling culinary storytelling inspiration and communications

People Management Responsibilities

Team (salaried): 2 direct reports (culinary professionals)

Expected Experience & Required Skills

Bachelors degree in Culinary Arts Food Science or a related field.

8 years of culinary experience with demonstrated technical expertise

3 years of experience in a corporate R&D or food manufacturing environment preferred

Prior experience leading and developing teams preferred with a track record of coaching mentoring and driving high performance

Proven experience operating in agile innovation environments with rapid test-and-learn cycles

Demonstrated ability to lead through ambiguity with a strong strategic mindset and business acumen

Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence across functions and levels

Experience translating consumer insights and emerging trends into actionable innovation opportunities preferred

Growth mindset with a passion for continuous learning and curiosity

Exceptional collaboration skills across internal teams and external partners with a high degree of ownership and accountability

Ability to define communicate and execute a clear vision and strategy

Excellent communication project management and stakeholder management skills

Work Environment & Schedule

This position operates primarily in a hybrid work environment and 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 (Glenview IL).

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.