Job Description

Job Purpose

​​As theDesign & Innovation Leader,youwilllead a team ofpackaging innovationexpertsresponsible foridentifying, driving and leading innovative and disruptive packaging designinitiativesthat will be instrumental in delivering novel, competitively advantagedsolutions across the Kraft Heinz North America portfolio. Theteam’s objective is to deliverpackagingdesign strategies,translating brand strategiesandconsumer Jobs-To-Be-Done (JTBD)intoviable design solutions to meet growth, innovation and sustainabilityobjectives. In this role, youwillbe responsible forestablishing capabilities todevelop,prototype, consumer test and pilot novel pkg design solutionsThis individual will lead the team to buildplatformablepkg innovation solutions, identifying modular,platformabledesigns across brands and categories to fuel sustainable BU innovation pipelinesYou will partnerwith the Innovation, Process and Platform packaging teams as well as cross functional stakeholders to translateconsumer insightsand sustainabilityrequirements intocommerciallyviable,manufacturable solutionsThe role includes identifyingpackaging designsolutions, leveraging external design partners and internal consumer experience teams to translate insights into viable designs that resonate with consumers. The ideal candidate combines deep technical packagingcommercializationexpertise with strongdesign and innovationknowledge and proven experience managing complexdesignprojects and technical teams​

EssentialFunctions &Responsibilities

• ​​Leadand prioritize a portfolio of packagingdesignstrategies andinitiativesto deliver againstshort and long termbusiness objectives in the retail andfoodservicebusinesses. Gain alignment across key functions and prioritize initiatives and resources appropriatelyby balancing external partnerships with designthinking, leveraging DVF (Desirability, Viability, Feasibility)

• ​Build, coordinate and managecomplex partnerships across the value chaintodemonstratevalue and business case, address technicaland designhurdles, drive speed to market andenable competitive advantage

• ​Represent Kraft Heinzexternallyon critical industrycommitteesand forums,servingas oneexternalvoiceto advancepackaging design and innovation, making Kraft Heinz become recognized for packaging design and innovation leadership in the industry

• ​Develop strategic packaging design requirements(playbook)across NA categories

• ​Work directly, interface and influence cross-functional team (Marketing, Procurement, Operations and Supply Chain) and vendors.

• ​Work across enterprise (mentor and/or teacher) to expand capabilities of developers in area(s) of expertise – Design and Innovation

• ​Lead efforts to prioritize external design agencies, managing relationships with suppliers, design and innovation partners, to drive pkg disruptive, innovation solutions

• ​Leaddirect team to leadpkg design/technology award submissions with external sponsors, working with R&D platform teams and suppliers to build submissions for leadership/comms/marketing alignment

• ​Manage multiple/large initiatives with complex scopes and/or cross enterprise platforms concurrently

• ​Partnerwithlegal to build robust IP strategies, conduct explorationand helpbuild IP portfolio todrive competitive advantage

• ​Own project andportfolio-level budgets, resourcing strategies and capacity planningtoensuredelivery within approved financial guardrails.Developand maintain detailed project plans, schedules, budgets and resource allocationstomonitor progress, assess risk, escalate tradeoffs,and drive corrective actions

• ​Serve as an accountable owner for governance, escalation and go/no-go decisions Representpackaginginsteering forums and influencestakeholders.Provide technical leadership and oversighton packagingreviewstoensuredesign decisions align with enterprise standards, manufacturability, sustainability, and long-term platform strategy

• ​Serve as Subject Matter Expert by leading and driving functional training and process improvements for the pkg organization.

• ​Mentor, coach and trainjunior team members​

People Management Responsibilities

• Team (salaried):targeting 3direct reports

Key Outputs & Deliverables

• Deliverdesign training and process improvements for the pkg organization

• Deliverdesignstrategyand pipeline for North America portfolio, leading and directing team to deliver againstdesigninitiatives to addressinnovation, sustainabilityand value engineering.

• Lead and directa team of packaginginnovationexperts tosuccessfully deliver5to10concurrent complex packagingdesignprojects annually acrossflexible, rigid and thermoform materials and formats,meeting committed timelines, budgets, and technical performance targets from concept throughproof of conceptand handover.

• Ensure compliance with evolving sustainability and regulatory requirements for portfolio projects, including:

• Minimizing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fees

• Designing packaging solutions that avoid material bans and regulatory risks

• Advancing recyclable, reusable, and compliant packaging formats aligned with enterprise sustainability goalsand legislative requirements

• Deliver packaging designs to Performance-Based Specifications (PBS), ensuring solutions meet definedfunctional, quality, shelf-life, consumer experience, and manufacturing performance outcomes(rather than prescriptive designs)

• Build and sustain a high-performing packaging technical team, with clear capability deployment across the portfolio, improved bench strength, and consistent application of enterprise packaging standards.Manage, coach, mentor and retain employees, includinggoal-setting,performance management, salary planning and hiring.

• Build succession andupskilling plans for junior talent, maximizing apprenticeship with more senior/experienced team members

Expected Experience& Required Skills

• ​​BS/MS/PhDdegree inDesign,Engineering,PackagingEngineeringpreferredor related discipline.

• ​Minimum 11years ofR&Dpackagingdevelopment andcommercialization experience, with significant innovation and packaging design experienceand project leadership experience (consumer goods, food & beverage, pharma or similar preferred).

• ​Demonstrated experience managingend-to-enddevelopmentinnovationprojects,identifying and drivingpackaginginnovationinitiatives,leading strongexternal partnershiprelationshipsand coordinating cross-functional teams.

• ​Demonstrated experiencein peoplemanagement(up to2to3highly skilledinnovation/designindividuals)

• ​Strongpackaging designknowledge of materials(flexibles, rigids, fiber,etc),formats,converting processes (e.g.,cartoning,filling,web handling, labeling, molding), printing,bottle closureand dispensingsystems and manufacturing constraints.

• ​Proven project management/PMO skills; experience with project governance, risk management, budget managementand stakeholder reporting.

• ​Expertknowledge ofpackagingdesignand innovation, DVF (Desirability, Viability, Feasibility) experience a plus

• ​Excellent communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills; ability to influence at all levels.

• ​Previous experience leading complex, packaginglaunches.

• ​Industrial design experience for packaging materials, shapes, formats, with proven examples of commercialized innovations across multiple packaging formats

• ​Skilled at leading or directing consumer insights for packaging

• ​Skilled at translating consumer insights, consumer Jobs-to-be-done, and market trends into packaging design strategies

• ​Experience with pilot line setups and scale‑up to industrial production.

• ​Willingness and ability to travelup to 25% of the time​

Work Environment & Schedule

This positionoperatesprimarily in a hybrid work environment and is based at the Kraft Heinz R&D Innovation Center in Glenview, IL. Our hybrid model provides flexibility based on business needs, allowing employees to work virtually up to two days per week, with an expectation to work on-site at least three days per week at the Glenview Innovation Center(Glenview,IL)

Physicaldemandsinclude but not limited to

• ​​Regular officework

• ​Physical presence atlabs andmanufacturing sites(internal and external)to performexperimental and validation testing​

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:

$141,500.00 - $176,900.00

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)

Glenview R&D Center

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 NAZTAOps@kraftheinz.com for assistance.