Sr. Brand Manager, AFH Innovation - Customer

Job Description

As a Senior Brand Manager for AFH Innovation, your purpose is to lead the strategic development and execution of the innovation pipeline for the Away from Home (AFH) Customer Innovation Platform at Kraft Heinz. You will drive the ideation, curation, and commercialization of innovative products that align with global trends and contribute to the company’s growth. By collaborating with cross-functional teams and fostering an innovation-driven culture, you will ensure that Away from Home serves as a key engine of innovation within the broader Kraft Heinz portfolio, while also supporting ESG initiatives and sustainability goals.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

· Lead the end-to-end innovation process for the Away from Home (AFH) Customer Co-Created Platform, overseeing the entire pipeline from ideation to product launch. This includes identifying opportunities, prioritizing projects, and managing the commercialization of new products in line with Kraft Heinz’s broader business objectives.

· Develop a strategic approach to innovation, ensuring the pipeline is aligned with market trends, consumer insights, and AFH’s growth objectives.

· Collaborate with customers and key stakeholders across multiple functions, including R&D, culinary, consumer insights, quality, legal, operations, sales, and finance, to ensure seamless execution of innovative initiatives.

· Foster a culture of innovation within the AFH division by championing creative thinking and new product development that reflects global trends and cultural shifts. Inspire teams to take calculated risks and challenge the status quo to drive transformational growth.

· Manage the innovation stage gate process, including all key deliverables, timelines, and approvals. Ensure that all projects are resourced appropriately and prioritized effectively to meet business goals.

· Manage agency relationships for the packaging design of new products and lead consumer validation efforts in partnership with the consumer insights team.

· Work with commercial teams to refine product positioning and messaging, ensuring that new innovations meet target customers' needs in the Away from Home market.

· Build and maintain strong partnerships with Customer, Sales, and Marketing BAP teams, as well as Platform, Global Disruptive Innovation, Canadad (Platform & AFH), and Global R&D teams, to ensure cohesive innovation plans and seamless execution for our AFH customers and Kraft Heinz.

· Utilize syndicated data sources to analyze internal and competitor innovation performance, providing actionable insights and recommendations to drive impactful business decisions.

· Maintain a consumer-first mindset and strong operator understanding, ensuring day-to-day decisions protect the brand/operator’s integrity while effectively balancing financial and operational considerations.

Expected Experience & Required Skills

· Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or a related field; MBA with a marketing focus preferred. Equivalent experience will be considered.

· 5 to 7 years in marketing, product innovation, or brand management, with at least 3 years leading product development from concept to market in the consumer goods sector.

· Proven ability to build, lead, and inspire high-performing teams, providing clear direction, coaching, and accountability.

· Experience setting strategic direction and mobilizing cross-functional teams to achieve common goals.

· Results-oriented, proactive in navigating complex challenges and ambiguity, with a track record of resolving obstacles.

· Strong verbal and written communication skills, with a history of building effective business relationships and presenting clear narratives.

· Passion for consumer marketing, culture, new product trends, and innovation, with the ability to foster an innovation-driven culture.

· Skilled at managing multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery within scope.

· Ability to translate data into actionable insights, driving product and brand strategies.

· Demonstrated ability to communicate vision effectively to executive leadership and cross-functional teams.

· Strong at navigating both formal and informal organizational channels to get things done, while delegating effectively.

· Ability to prioritize tasks for self and team, focusing on key objectives and removing roadblocks.

· Advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).

Work Environment & Schedule

Our office environment fosters collaboration, connection, and community, enabling employees to grow and thrive. We embrace a flexible and agile work model, recognizing its importance in today’s workplace. Most office-based employees may work remotely up to two days per w