Manager, R&D - Packaging Materials Specifications

Job Purpose

As the R&D Manager of Packaging Performance Specifications, you will lead the development, deployment, and governance of Performance-Based Specifications (PBS) for packaging across the Kraft Heinz North America portfolio. The objective is to ensure packaging solutions are specified and delivered against defined functional, quality, shelf‑life, consumer experience, and manufacturing performance outcomes rather than prescriptive designs. You will partner with Packaging R&D, Innovation, Process and Platform packaging teams, Quality, Operations, Procurement, and external partners to translate requirements into clear, testable, and compliant performance specifications that enable scalable commercialization and consistent execution.

• Own and evolve the PBS framework for packaging, including definition, structure, required content, and linkage to performance outcomes.
• Lead development and rollout of enterprise PBS templates and best practices, guiding the writing of measurable requirements and acceptance criteria.
• Translate cross‑functional requirements into PBS by partnering with Packaging R&D, Innovation, Process/Platform teams, Quality, Operations, and other stakeholders to ensure specifications are complete, testable, and fit for manufacturing.
• Establish and run specification governance, including review cadence, approval workflows, escalation paths, and go/no‑go readiness requirements.
• Ensure specifications enable manufacturable solutions by aligning performance requirements with converting processes and manufacturing constraints.
• Drive consistency and compliance by ensuring specifications reflect relevant sustainability and regulatory considerations and are maintained as requirements evolve.
• Build tools and processes for specification lifecycle management, including version control, change management, and communication of updates.
• Define and align testing/validation expectations tied to PBS, including performance verification criteria and documentation needed to support proof of concept, scale‑up, and handover.
• Enable training and adoption by developing training materials and coaching teams on PBS thinking, high‑quality requirement writing, and applying enterprise packaging standards.
• Measure PBS effectiveness using quality and execution metrics such as right‑first‑time specifications, reduction in rework, fewer late‑stage changes, and improved launch readiness.

• Team (salaried): targeting 2 direct reports.

• Enterprise PBS framework and templates that standardize how packaging performance requirements are defined and documented.
• A governed PBS library with maintained specifications, version control, change management, and clear ownership.
• Project‑ready PBS deliverables enabling teams to deliver packaging designs that meet defined performance outcomes.
• Specification readiness criteria embedded in project governance to support timely handover from concept through scale‑up and commercialization.
• Training and enablement materials to drive consistent application of PBS and enterprise packaging standards.

• BS/MS/PhD degree in Engineering, Materials, Chemical, or Packaging Engineering—or related discipline.
• 6+ years of R&D packaging development, commercialization, and project leadership experience (consumer goods, food & beverage, pharma, or similar).
• Strong technical knowledge of packaging materials, formats, and manufacturing/converting constraints.
• Demonstrated experience building performance specifications as well as packaging development and commercialization and cross‑functional project leadership.
• Strong ability to translate business, technical, and consumer needs into clear, measurable performance requirements.
• Proven capability with project governance, risk management, and stakeholder reporting.
• Working knowledge of design of experiments, statistics, and technical problem‑solving.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to influence across functions and levels.
• Familiarity with sustainable packaging solutions and alignment with evolving sustainability and…