This individual is responsible for ensuring Kraft Heinz compliance with existing and emerging federal and state food & food packaging laws, regulations and guidance documents. The role provides organizational leadership and engages with external partners, all while providing expertise to ensure company compliance, brand sustainability and excellence in regulatory management.
As a member of the Food Regulation & Strategy team, the Strategy and Innovation Manager will lead Kraft Heinz North America food and/or food packaging regulatory compliance strategies across our diverse product portfolio. This role will serve as a subject matter expert on food and/or food packaging regulations, ensuring our products meet all applicable compliance requirements while supporting innovation and market expansion initiatives.
The successful candidate will lead the end-to-end regulatory compliance cycle—monitoring and interpreting emerging requirements through proactive horizon scanning, assessing impact and advising internal stakeholders, and translating obligations into clear policies, controls, and implementation plans. Partnering across the Kraft Heinz business, the role will embed regulatory requirements into growth and commercialization activities, support strategic decision-making, and help shape the organization’s regulatory posture through timely guidance and constructive engagement with regulators and industry groups. The position will also oversee ongoing compliance monitoring and enforcement readiness, including issue escalation, corrective actions, and continuous improvement of the regulatory management framework.
By providing tools, programs, and actionable insights to enable risk-informed decision making for key business initiatives, the Strategy and Innovation Manager is able to demonstrate organizational leadership across the North America portfolio.
This is a hybrid role requiring 3 days onsite weekly.
Monitor and interpret evolving regulations from FDA, USDA, CFIA, and state/Province regulatory bodies regarding food safety, labeling, and ingredient requirements
Lead regulatory assessments for new product development, reformulations, market expansions
Develop and implement comprehensive compliance strategies for food products and food packaging across all product categories and markets – including strategies for food and color additives, packaging initiatives such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs, Minimum Recycled Content targets & reporting requirements, packaging materials strategies, and other ingredients, claims, and labeling requirements, as well as KHC-directed initiatives and commitments.
Manage regulatory submissions, notifications, reporting requirements, and correspondence with regulatory agencies as needed
Assist R&D and Quality communities in managing federal requirements for food packaging, including FDA safety requirements for food contact substances and materials and package fill requirements.
Work with suppliers to advance KHC expectations for packaging safety and compliance based on KHC intended uses and needs.
Conduct risk assessments and develop mitigation strategies for regulatory issues across the portfolio
Partner with cross-functional stakeholders such as R&D, Quality, Marketing, Supply Chain, and other teams to ensure regulatory requirements are integrated into product development processes and initiatives, and to integrate regulatory strategies within regular business planning sessions
Provide regulatory guidance during ingredient sourcing decisions and supplier qualification processes
Lead FRS and cross-functional teams through regulatory challenges and commercialization transitions
Train internal stakeholders on regulatory requirements, compliance protocols, and best practices
Transition regulatory support from development phases to full commercialization as appropriate
Assist Government Affairs, ESG, and other functions in monitoring emerging packaging requirements, identifying business, financial, and other implications for KHC, and developing KHC positions (internal and external) for proposed legal and regulatory requirements.
Actively contribute information to assist with cross-functional issue awareness and risk management.
Maintain deep expertise in food and/or food packaging regulations, color additive and other ingredient requirements, nutrition/labeling requirements, reporting, and certification processes
Horizon scanning - Track regulatory trends, proposed rule changes, and industry developments affecting food labeling, food safety, and packaging composition/substances of interest, and claims
Analyze competitive landscape and industry best practices for regulatory compliance across all focus areas
Develop and maintain regulatory procedures, job aids, guidance documents, and databases
Assess risks relevant to regulatory requirements and provide related strategic advice
Leverage regulatory developments and portfolio expertise to identify opportunities, risks, and implications for business growth
Stakeholder Management & Business Integration:
Build and maintain relationships with regulatory agencies, industry associations, external regulatory consultants, suppliers, customers, and certification bodies
Represent the company at industry conferences, regulatory meetings, and trade association committees
Communicate regulatory requirements and developments, risks, and strategies to all relevant cross-functional stakeholders to drive uniform understanding and clarity on next actions
Train and support key cross-functional stakeholders with food and/or packaging compliance-related responsibilities including R&D, Quality, Toxicology, Legal, Government Affairs, ESG, Businesses, Tax, Procurement Sales and Finance
Collaborate with legal counsel and other functions on regulatory enforcement actions and compliance matters
Maintain deep understanding of development and commercial processes relevant to regulatory requirements, including product development, manufacturing operations, logistics, procurement, commercialization, and customer relationships
Facilitate negotiations and influence business partners when dealing with highly complex regulatory situations
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:
$104,200.00 - $130,200.00
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)
Chicago/Aon Center, 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.
The Kraft Heinz Company is one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world, with eight $1 billion+ brands and global sales of approximately $25 billion. We’re a globally trusted producer of high-quality, great-tasting, and nutritious foods for over 150 years. While Kraft Heinz is co-headquartered in Chicago and Pittsburgh, our brands are truly global, with products produced and marketed in over 40 countries. These beloved products include condiments and sauces, cheese and dairy, meals, meats, refreshment beverages, coffee, infant and nutrition products, and numerous other grocery products in a portfolio of more than 200 legacy and emerging brands.
We spark joy around mealtime with our iconic brands, including Kraft, Oscar Mayer, Heinz, Philadelphia, Lunchables, Velveeta, Maxwell House, Capri Sun, Ore-Ida, Kool-Aid, Jell-O, Primal Kitchen, and Classico, among others.
No matter the brand, we’re united under one vision: To sustainably grow by delighting more consumers globally. Bringing this vision to life is our team of 37,000+ food lovers, creative thinkers, and high performers worldwide. Together, we help provide meals to those in need through our global partnership with Rise Against Hunger. We also stand committed to responsible, sustainable practices that extend to every facet of our business, our consumers, and our communities. Every day, we’re transforming the food industry with bold thinking and unprecedented results. If you share our passion – and are ready to create the future, build a legacy, and lead as a global citizen – there’s only one thing to do: join our table and let’s make life delicious!
