Lead, R&D - E2E Complex Projects, Process (Glenview, Illinois)

This job is with Kraft Heinz, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly.

Job Description

As the R&D Process Project Delivery Lead , you will own complex process development initiatives from early concept through scale-up, commercialization, and handover to operations. This role partners closely with Platform and Central R&D, Manufacturing, and cross-functional stakeholders to translate product concepts into robust, scalable processes to manufacture finished products. The ideal candidate combines strong product development and process engineering expertise with disciplined project leadership and has a proven track record of navigating technical risk, scale-up challenges, and cross-functional execution across the end-to-end development lifecycle.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Lead the full R&D lifecycle for process initiatives: ideation, feasibility, process design, modeling, validation, pilot trials, scale-up, and final handover to manufacturing and supply chain.
• Translate consumer, product, and business requirements into fit-for-purpose manufacturing processes that meet performance, quality, cost, and timeline targets.
• Serve as the technical integrator across process design and manufacturing capability.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Operations to assess process capability, equipment fit, line readiness, and scale-up risks.
• Lead and coordinate pilot runs, first-time-right trials, and process validation activities to ensure smooth transition from R&D to full-scale production.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate technical risks related to process robustness, variability, raw materials, and system interactions.
• Act as project owner and single point of accountability for assigned R&D programs.
• Collaborate with R&D, Quality, Regulatory, Procurement, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and external partners to define requirements, milestones, timelines, and success criteria.
• Build and maintain integrated project plans including technical deliverables, decision gates, budgets, and resource needs.
• Lead governance reviews, provide clear status reporting, and proactively escalate risks, trade-offs, and decisions.
• Lead technical reviews of processing parameters, yield, stability, and performance testing.
• Ensure compliance with quality, regulatory, food safety (as applicable), and shelf-life requirements.
• Support cost optimization, value engineering, and continuous improvement initiatives across new and existing products.
• Lead supplier and partner engagement related to processing technologies and external trials.
• Coordinate third-party testing, pilot activities, and sample approvals as needed.
• Apply R&D best practices including critical point risk assessment, failure mode effect analysis, and commissioning / qualification / validation.
• Author process design scopes, transformation flowsheets, and manufacturing procedure specifications.
• Contribute to the development of R&D processes, tools, and standards.
• Mentor junior scientists/engineers and strengthen technical project execution capability within the team.

People Management Responsibilities

• Team (salaried): 6 direct reports

Expected Experience & Required Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related discipline.
• Minimum 11 years of progressive experience in R&D product and process development within consumer goods, food and beverage, or similar industries, with increasing scope and accountability across scale-up, industrialization, and cross-functional leadership.
• Demonstrated experience leading end-to-end product and process development programs, from concept through commercialization.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, scale-up, and industrialization.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional technical teams and influence without authority.
• Solid project leadership skills, including planning, risk management, and stakeholder communication.
• Proficiency with project tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet, Excel); ERP experience (e.g., SAP) a plus.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Experience leading complex, multi-site or global product launches.
• Hands-on experience with pilot plants, process trials, and first commercial production runs.
• Background in process optimization, yield improvement, or manufacturing continuous improvement.
• Project management certification (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) preferred but not required.

Work Environment & Schedule

This position is considered a Normal office environment with moderate travel to customer locations, stores, manufacturing facilities, etc.; offices are open workspaces

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.

New Hire Base Salary Range:

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, and experience among other factors

Benefits: Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family's needs. Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

Wellbeing: We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.

You'll be able to participate in a variety of benefits and wellbeing programs that may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors, for example:

• Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments

• Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training

• Emotional - Employee Assistance Program , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs

• Financial - 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Location(s)

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for protected individuals, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact View email address on apply.placed-app.com for assistance.