Associate Director, R&D Consumer Experience

EssentialFunctions &Responsibilities

• Leadhowconsumer needs identification experience trade-offs anddesigntargets are definedand activatedfor assigned categories/brands inNorth America Groceryacross renovation and innovation programs.

• Lead and be accountable forcategory-level consumer experience (CX) roadmapsfor assigned NA Grocery categories/brands including value curves and experience targets aligned to business priorities.

• Set and stewardCXcategoryknowledge and expectationsfor NA Grocery renovation/innovation programs ensuring experience requirements are embedded in processes and decision materials.

• Own and stewardkey CX business metrics and benchmarking outputsfor NA Grocery ensuring outputs are actionable and used to drive in-market improvements.

• Lead two key teams supportingNorth America Grocery brands; set priorities ensure consistent ways of working and develop talent.

• Serve as the primary CX business partner to Category R&D Brand and BU leadershipfor North America GroceryCategories translating benchmarking and performance monitoring into clear actions priorities and experience improvement plans.

• Co-leadCorporateGlobal Benchmarking program& Performance Monitoring program including governance/ways of working and performance tracking; translate global benchmarking insights into NA actions and roadmap priorities.

• Program-manage the integration roadmap for the Consumer Driven Specifications Program andDigital Modeling for key NA Grocery categories in partnership with Sensory and the Digital Modeling Sr Principal Scientist connecting consumer targets/benchmarking to specifications and predictive/digital approaches to enable adoption.

Expected Experience& Required Skills

• Bachelors Masters or PhD in Science (e.g. Engineering Industrial Design etc.) or Consumer Psychology disciplines with10years of progressive experience in consumer research UX design product innovation or related disciplines including direct exposure to product development and commercialization

• Proven track record leading brands categories or portfolios in a matrixed environment.

• Experience owning category or portfolio-level consumer strategy gate or development governance and value curves or experience frameworks.

• Proven people leadership including leading senior individual contributorsandmanagers.

• Strong ability to influence R&D Brand Marketing and Sensory partners.

• Deep understanding of food product development and commercialization.

• Strong business storytelling and executive communication skills.

• Ability to communicate insights and recommendations using standard business tools and platforms.

• Travel required based on project and business needs typically up to 10 to 15%.

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.