Senior Scientist, R&D - Exports

Job Purpose

As the Senior Scientist for R&D Exports, you will serve as a technical lead for product and packaging, acting as the confident R&D authority for development initiatives across Kraft Heinz North America Exports. The role is focused on back‑end commercialization and market execution, with hands‑on formulation and benchtop development performed as needed to support business demands. You will operate with high autonomy in a dynamic, cross‑functional, and globally integrated environment.

• Lead end‑to‑end product and packaging commercialization across internal and external manufacturing facilities, independently executing complex workplans, troubleshooting technical challenges, and identifying innovative workarounds.
• Act as the product and package authority within cross‑functional and cross‑country teams, building and leveraging R&D networks across North America BUs and global partners.
• Lead and execute product and package testing, qualification, and optimization, including lab testing, benchtop prototyping, shelf‑life studies, pilot plant trials, and factory trials.
• Partner with Legal and BU R&D leads to assess risks associated with disclosing proprietary product and packaging information to foreign governments and external entities.
• Anticipate technical and execution risks, actively manage technical timelines, identify issues, and create contingency plans to maintain business continuity and launch integrity.
• Develop and maintain detailed product and packaging specifications and comprehensive technical documentation, ensuring specification data accuracy and resolving gaps.

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Packaging, Chemical Engineering, Material Science, or related discipline.
• 3 to 5 years of hands‑on product and/or packaging commercialization experience, including formula development, plant trials, performance testing, and specification creation, with an emphasis on late‑stage development and commercialization support.
• Experience in CPG/FMCG or comparable manufacturing environment with strong technical product and/or packaging focus.
• Proven ability to perform in highly complex, ambiguous, and autonomous operating environments.
• Demonstrated strength in cross‑functional execution, influencing without authority, and technical leadership.
• Strong critical thinking, troubleshooting, and problem‑solving skills in fast‑paced environments.
• Excellent communication, project management, and prioritization skills.
• Demonstrated growth mindset, willingness to experiment, and comfort being “uncomfortable”.
• Ability and desire to learn new product categories, technologies, and processes quickly.
• Strong personal executional excellence, accountability, and customer focus.
• Ability to travel domestically up to 10% of the time based on project needs.

The position operates primarily in an office environment with limited travel. The role follows a hybrid work model: on‑site minimum three days per week at the Kraft Heinz Innovation Center in Glenview, IL, with the option to work remotely up to two days per week, based on business needs and project requirements.

• Ability to sit for extended periods while working at a computer.
• Ability to stand and walk in laboratory and manufacturing environments.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull materials and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to bend, reach, and perform repetitive motions during testing and trials.
• Ability to operate laboratory and pilot‑scale equipment.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Ability to work near operating equipment and in varied temperature and noise conditions.

New Hire Base Salary Range: $88,000.00 – $. Position is eligible for a performance‑based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.

Coverage for employees and eligible dependents through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and savings for the future. Benefits are in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

Events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well‑being lifestyle for employees and their families. Programs may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors.

Glenview R&D Center, Glenview, IL.

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes. for reasonable accommodation assistance.