Manager, R&D - Ingredient Development

Manager, R&D – Product Development​ 

Job Purpose  

​​This R&D Manager role will manage Kraft Heinz Ingredient Specification Strengthening across all categories and brands and lead a team of developers to drive our core business.  This role interfaces directly with the business and offers the ability to lead technically challenging projects and initiatives supporting productivity, growth, renovation, and brand maintenance. Success in the role requires strong cross-functional collaboration, strategic influence, problem solving, thoughtful career development planning for the team, and prioritization to lead multiple projects simultaneously. A successful candidate will have a technical background in food science or engineering, demonstrated strength in the commercialization process, proven ability to design product/ingredient testing at plant scale, a growth mindset, and powerful teamwork skills.​  

Essential Functions & Responsibilities  

• ​​Work directly with the business units, cross-functional teams, plants, Technical SMEs  and suppliers as the R&D platform manager to support strategy, manage projects, and direct developers.   

• ​Lead the resources and budgets for projects and initiatives within the category   

• ​Assist in scoping, prioritizing and executing specification work streams   

• ​Lead developers to design and implement work plans, analyze data, draw conclusions, document findings, present results, and complete work streams appropriately 

• ​Communicate regularly with the Business Unit R&D Leads and cross-functional partners   

• ​Ability to direct developers within workstreams 

• ​Interface with all related technical experts and internal category scientists to understand technologies and applications  

• ​Collaborate with teams to understand and ensure product quality and food safety requirements are defined and delivered through the completion of raw material, finished product and quality specifications that deliver consistent, high-quality products  

• ​Run technical timelines, provide clear and timely communication, complete risk assessments, raise issues, and develop contingency plans demonstrating strong project management skills  

• ​Elevate the competence and know-how of junior developers through training, coaching, and external networking