Manager, R&D – Sensory Capabilities Lab

Job Purpose

TheSensory Capabilities Lab Managerserves as a technical lead for sensory science within the North American Zone. This roleprovidesexpert sensory guidance fostering a collaborative environmentwherescientific data drives product excellence. As a leader in the SensoryCoE you will focus on growing and mentoring a talented team of sensory support staff. Your goal is to provide the R&D organization with onsite sensory testing capabilities to deliver descriptive analysis discrimination testing and internal employee evaluations thatleverageboth executionalexpertiseand digital tools to ensure our products are consistently best-in-class.

EssentialFunctions &Responsibilities

• Team Development & Sensory Support Leadership

• Lead the growth and professional development of the sensory support team. Provide advanced technical mentorship to sensory technicians and associate scientistscoaching with methodological design protocol execution data hygiene and LIMS use.Support hiring onboarding training and performance management as the organization scales.

• Foster a team environment rooted in cross-functional partnership ensuring the sensory team is seen as an accessible and vital resource for the broader R&D community. Act as the primary liaison between executive leadership and the Sensory lab team to ensure team feelstrongsense of belonging and haveclearunderstanding of how theyimpacthigh level company goals.

• Provide thoughtful management of sensory lab resources and budgets ensuring the team has the necessary tools to provide high-quality panel execution and align lab capacity with business priorities.Set clear expectations and ensure accountability across projects.

• Panel Management & Executional Excellence

• Own planningtimelinesand execution across a high volume of simultaneous initiatives supporting Sensory testing and Cooking Validation for the NA zone. Partner with Sr Sensory Manager to ensure excellence in serving protocols and datamanagementincluding day-to-day execution oversight to ensure consistent high-quality data collection.

• Act as the primary consultant to R&D project teams on experimental design panel selection criteria serving protocols and data quality controls to ensure scientific integrity and reproducibility.

• Facilitate the adoption of best practices in sensory science across thezone.Lead technical reviews of sensory methodologies recommending methodological improvements and ensuring alignment with industry best practices and the Global Sensory Excellence network.Implement and enforce standard operating procedures for panel operations including protocols for blinding sample handling and FSQ product release control.

• Data systems analytics workflow & digital integration

• Lead technical implementation and day-to-day use of sensory LIMS and digital tools (e.g.RedJadeor similar) to capture manage and protect sensory data.

• Partner with internal IT and external sensory software providers tomaintainagile secure data collection capabilities and to adapt digital solutions for new sensory methodologies.

• Optimizedata management practices tofacilitatedigital integration: data capture version control metadata standards and collaboration with the analysis teams.

• Facility and Budget Management

• Own budgetary control for the sensory team: process POs approvals and receiving;monitormonthly variance from plan and communicate with R&D finance.

• Work closely with sensory support team and internal facilities tomaintainlab spaces equipment and supplies to meet the testing needs of the team in the Sensory Evaluation Centers in Glenview Il and Warrendale PA and Cooking Validation Lab in Warrendale PA.

• Represent the North AmericanCoEwithin the Global Sensory Excellence network contributing to a global community of practice and staying informed on emerging sensory trends and technologies that will improve executional efficiency.

• Manage vendor relationships for software equipment and panel services; negotiate and evaluate technical performance of external partners.

Expected Experience& Required Skills

• MinimumBS in Food Science or Physical Science. MS in Sensory Science isplusto support the technical mentorship requirements of the role.

• 6 years of dedicated experience in Sensory Science Sensory Research or Consumer Research within an FMCG/CPG environment (Food & Beverage preferred).

• Proven experience managing lab operations budgets vendorrelationshipsand coordinating with IT and external partners.

• A proven ability to grow mentor and inspire technical teams while fostering a collaborative team spirit.

• Exceptional communication skills with a focus on translating operationalobjectivesinto technical action plans to deliver results.

• Demonstrated technicalproficiencywith sensory methodologies (specifically QDA) and with sensory LIMS/tools such asRedJadeor equivalent integration with digital tools

• Possess the ability to influence and guide others throughexpertiseand partnership rather thanmandate;a people-first approach to leading technical teams.

• Have a proactive mindset focused on evolving processes and adoptingnew technologies. The ability to lead a team through transitionssuch as digital integration ormethodologyshiftswhilemaintaininghigh morale and operational excellence.

• Ability to see the big picture and ensure sensory executional activities are aligned with the long-term goals of the R&D organization.

• A steadfast commitment to providing exceptional executional accuracy that the organization can rely on for critical product and business decisions.

• Exceptional skills in working with internal R&D teams and external partners

Work Environment & Schedule

This positionoperatesprimarily in a hybrid work environment and is based at the Kraft Heinz R&D Innovation Centerlocatedin 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 (Chicago IL).

This job description is not designed to cover orcontainall duties or responsibilities that are requiredofthe role. Duties or responsibilities may change or be added with or without notice.