Senior Manager, R&D – Consumer

Job Description

Senior Manager, R&D – Consumer Experience

As the Senior Manager, NA R&D – Consumer Experience, you will lead Consumer Experience execution for a portfolio of brands within the Kraft Heinz North American Zone (NAZ). You will be responsible for translating consumer needs into product design, technical requirements, and experience models that enable winning renovation and innovation across Food, Beverage, Snacks, and adjacent categories. This role leads a team of Consumer Experience scientists and partners closely with Marketing, Innovation, Insights, and R&D leaders in Product Design, Process Development, and Packaging to create, develop, and qualify products and packages that meet consumer needs and business objectives.

The Senior Manager is accountable for day-to-day Consumer Experience delivery, people leadership, and ensuring projects enter and exit development with clear, validated consumer experience direction.

• Lead a high-performing Consumer Experience team that enables strong renovation and innovation outcomes.
• Translate consumer needs, behaviors, and Jobs-to-Be-Done into clear product and experience requirements.
• Design and execute consumer learning plans to support renovation, innovation, and technology platforms.
• Partner with R&D, Brand, Innovation, and Sensory teams to guide concept, prototype, and experience validation.
• Build and deploy consumer models, frameworks, and tools that support product development and qualification.
• Coach and develop Consumer Experience scientists in research design, insight quality, and business influence.
• Identify emerging consumer needs and trends that inform future Jobs-to-Be-Done and innovation opportunities.
• Prioritize work, manage resources, and ensure projects are delivered on time and to quality expectations.
• Provide technical and business judgment to guide product and portfolio decisions.
• Foster a culture of consumer centricity, learning, and innovation within R&D.

Team (salaried): 3 to 4 direct reports.

• Bachelor's, Master's or PhD in Science (e.g., Engineering, Industrial Design, etc.) or Consumer Psychology disciplines with 7 to 10 years of progressive experience in consumer research, UX design, product innovation or related disciplines, including direct exposure to product development and commercialization
• Demonstrated experience in Consumer Experience, Product Research, or applied consumer insights supporting product development and commercialization.
• Proven ability to translate consumer learning into product and technical decisions.
• Strong people leadership and team-building skills.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration with Brand, Marketing, Sensory, and R&D partners.
• Ability to prioritize work, manage multiple projects, and allocate resources effectively.
• Strong communication and storytelling skills to influence diverse stakeholders.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.
• Willingness to travel up to 20% based on project and business needs.

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.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain all duties or responsibilities that are required of the role. Duties or responsibilities may change or be added with or without notice.

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.

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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,…