Senior Manager, R&D – Packaging Development

Senior Manager, R&D – Packaging Development Job Purpose

This is a Research and Development (R&D) Packaging managerial and technical role, responsible for the Meats category within the Meat, Cheese, Coffee & Snacking (MCCS) business unit.

Directly leading a team of developers and potentially contractors.

Responsible for creating and driving technical projects and demonstrating leadership within the packaging function of the business.

This candidate should also have a proven record of executing work plans and driving for results in a variety of settings.

This includes analyzing data, drawing conclusions, documenting, and communicating results.

Proven communication, teamwork, and people development skills are essential in this role, which operates in a cross‑functional environment.

Candidate will be responsible for not only packaging development, but collaborating with Business Unit Partners and cross‑functional peers to build yearly business plans aligned with Kraft Heinz strategy where packaging will/can be influential.

Candidate will be responsible for collaborating with cross‑functional network to help build a robust pipeline of Innovation, New Product Development, Brand Maintenance, and Value Engineering projects.

In addition, candidate will be consulted for troubleshooting, collaborating with manufacturing facilities, quality and equipment vendors.

• Building 1yp with Business Unit Partners
• Understanding of consumer behaviors relative to brand portfolio and translating understanding to meaningful packaging solutions
• Translating strategy and brand role/guardrails into execution plans and needs with Platform Innovation leader
• Independently lead packaging development and commercialization of material and packaging systems to deliver against short and long term business objectives
• Manage technical timelines, provide timely communication, raise issues and risks, and develop contingency plans leveraging strong project management skills
• Coordinate and conduct functional testing including lab testing, plant trials, package qualifications
• Responsible for identifying, defining, and solving technical packaging challenges
• Collaborate and partner with suppliers to identify new technology opportunities, optimizing the utilization of Kraft Heinz and supplier resources and tools
• Elevate the competence and know‑how of junior developers through training, coaching, and external networking
• Establish self as a technical subject matter expert in packaging materials, applications, testing and problem‑solving
• Management of junior staff including creation of development plans, building teamwork, and balancing of workload to help deliver in‑year and pipeline projects
• Strategic project influence in collaboration with OPS and marketing
• Help plan and execute budget needs for technical and capital execution
• Be consumer driven and elevate Innovative Packaging to help solve consumer pain points
• Self‑motivate with a sense of urgency to prioritize against Kraft Heinz overall strategic path, both within the role and from a broader company delivery
• Understand and be fluent in day to day routines and systems for commercialization
• Drive engagement for respective team while partnering with peers

• BS, MS, or PhD in Packaging, Materials Science, or Chemical Engineering
• Minimum 8+ yrs packaging development experience in the food or consumer products industry
• Proven ability to lead and execute technical complex packaging projects
• Experience with rigid plastics, flexible and semi‑rigid films, tray sealing, and MAP packaging is desired.
• Ability to lead, coach and motivate others
• Excellent communication, influencing, and problem‑solving skills
• Able to manage multiple assignments/tasks concurrently with the ability to prioritize work
• Ability to apply processes and improve with recommendation where needed
• Strong understanding of Design of Experiments
• Willingness to travel 30%

Normal office environment with moderate travel to customer locations, stores, manufacturing facilities, etc.; offices are open work spaces.

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.