Sr Manager, State Government Affairs

Senior Manager, State Government Affairs

Location:

Washington, D.C / Chicago, IL (Remote Hybrid with up to 40% travel)

Reports to:

Associate Director, State Government Affairs

Position Summary

The Senior Manager, State Government Affairs plays an important role within the Government Affairs team by supporting Kraft Heinz Company's (KHC) state-level advocacy efforts. This role helps advance company policy priorities in key states by executing legislative and regulatory strategies, maintaining relationships with policymakers and stakeholders, and partnering cross-functionally to mitigate risk and support business objectives.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage government affairs activities for an assigned group of states in alignment with broader state and federal advocacy strategies.
• Serve as a state lobbyist in priority states, including drafting and negotiating bill language, supporting sponsor engagement, delivering or coordinating testimony, and assisting with committee and floor strategy.
• Develop and maintain bipartisan relationships with state legislators, executive branch staff, and committee members; support engagement plans and relationship-tracking efforts.
• Act as a policy subject-matter resource in one or more KHC-relevant areas; assist in preparing position statements, regulatory comments, briefing materials, and executive talking points.
• Represent KHC in state rule making processes and select external stakeholder or industry forums.
• Participate in building and maintaining coalitions with other companies, trade associations, chambers of commerce, and aligned organizations to advance shared policy goals.
• Monitor state legislative, regulatory, and ballot activity; summarize developments and provide timely updates with recommended next steps.
• Support the management of outside consultants and contract lobbyists, including coordination of work plans, budgets, and compliance requirements.
• Partner cross-functionally with Legal, Regulatory, R&D, Supply Chain, ESG, Commercial, HR, and Communications teams to support issue management and state-level response efforts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required
• Strong understanding of state legislative and regulatory processes, including lobbying and ethics compliance
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate policy developments into business-relevant insights
• Solid project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and work streams
• Sound judgment, high integrity, and discretion when handling confidential or sensitive matters
• Willingness to travel as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (JD, MA, MBA, or similar)
• Experience in a corporate or trade association government affairs function
• Prior experience working in or with state government (legislative staff, executive branch, or state agency)

Required Experience

• 6–8 years of experience in state government, public policy, or state lobbying
• Demonstrated experience supporting or executing legislative or regulatory strategies, including drafting materials and engaging policymakers
• Exposure to at least one or two policy areas relevant to KHC (e.g., food policy, packaging, agriculture, environmental policy, tax, workforce/labor)
• Experience working with external consultants or coalition partners preferred
• Familiarity with state policy organizations such as NCSL, CSG, or NGA is a plus

EEO Policy

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled and other protected categories.

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 candidate's 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…