Manager, R&D - Packaging Margin Enhancement

Job Description

Job Purpose

The R&D Manager for Packaging Margin Enhancement leads medium-to-high complexity packaging margin enhancement projects and manages a team of packaging developers to deliver productivity and cost optimization across Kraft Heinz North America business units. This role partners directly with BU R&D and cross-functional teams to deliver technically complex, high-impact projects that improve packaging performance and profitability. Success requires a blend of technical packaging expertise, strong commercialization experience, and the ability to coach and develop a high-performing team, all while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Lead medium-to-high complexity packaging productivity projects across all categories and provide technical direction to developers from concept through commercialization

• Design and oversee plant-scale packaging tests and guide developers in data analysis, conclusions, documentation, and results communication

• Translate R&D findings into quantifiable business opportunities and present recommendations to cross-functional and BU leadership

• Partner with suppliers, plants, co-manufacturers, and internal technical experts to evaluate and implement packaging technologies and materials

• Ensure quality requirements are clearly defined and embedded into specifications, delivering consistent, consumer-ready products

• Serve as a primary R&D point of contact for BU R&D Leads, maintaining regular, transparent communication on project status and risks

• Support cross-functional teams (Marketing, Supply Chain, Procurement, Operations) to drive speed-to-market on packaging initiatives

• Own project timelines, risk assessments, issue escalation, and contingency planning across a portfolio of concurrent initiatives

• Manage team budgets and resource allocation to ensure delivery of in-year and pipeline projects

• Guide developers through project commercialization activities with strong technical rigor, ensuring statistical tools, technical excellence methods, and documentation best practices are consistently applied.

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of junior packaging developers through structured development plans, workload balancing, and performance feedback

• Elevate team capability through training, stretch assignments, and external industry networking

• Foster a culture of inclusion, sustainability, continuous learning, and owner-mentality

Expected Experience & Required Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field required;
Master's degree preferred.

• 6+ years of experience in CPG packaging R&D, with demonstrated progression in technical and leadership scope

• Proven track record of leading packaging commercialization projects end-to-end with high autonomy

• Experience managing or mentoring direct reports, with strong coaching and development skills

• Proficiency in Design of Experiments (DoE) and data-driven decision-making

• Strong understanding of packaging materials, structures, and their interactions with food products

• Exceptional project management skills and able to manage competing priorities across a complex stakeholder network

• High learning agility with the ability to adapt quickly in a dynamic, ambiguous environment

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with demonstrated ability to influence without authority

• Willingness to travel up to 30% domestically (U.S. and Canada), including visits to internal plants, co-manufacturers, and suppliers

Work Environment & Schedule

This position is considered a Normal office environment with limited travel or visits to external locations; offices are open work spaces Additionally, this role requires in office presence at least three days per week in compliance with hybrid work schedule.

Physical Requirements

Physical demands include but not limited to

• Lift up to 30 lbs, navigate lab, storage, and manufacturing environments.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain all duties or responsibilities that are required of the role. Duties or responsibilities…