Director, R&D - Product Development - Beverages

Director, R&D - Product Development - Beverages

Kraft Heinz seeks an innovative leader to lead all aspects of R&D for our Beverages portfolio. You will lead a team of experts to drive new product development, process improvements, and technology adoption across North America.

• Track consumer trends and technical innovations to push forward new ways of bringing products to market via process optimizations, new ingredient or equipment technologies, or creative extensions of current portfolio.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with category management, culinary, packaging, marketing, sales, and global business partners.
• Lead multiple assignments/development projects concurrently to meet R&D timelines.
• Engage with internal and external groups to establish relationships with internal teams, suppliers, key customer contacts, industry groups, and universities.

• 12+ years of R&D and technical service experience in the beverage industry.
• Strong background in product development and track record of leading successful R&D teams.
• Deep understanding of ingredient functionality and the interrelationship of ingredients, processing, and packaging.
• Experience leading large teams (15+ people) and managing leaders.
• Willing and able to travel approximately 30% of the time for site visits and meetings with vendors.
• Strong collaboration skills with diverse personnel from product developers to global leadership.

Glenview R&D Center

Base Salary: $ - $
Performance‑based bonus and equity (LTI).

Healthcare, vision, dental, flexible work arrangements, 401k, life insurance, and wellbeing programs.

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to any protected characteristic.