Director, Innovation - Meals

Posted 14 Hours Ago
Be an Early Applicant
Chicago, IL, USA
In-Office
190K-238K Annually
Expert/Leader
Food
The Role
Lead multi-year innovation strategy and pipeline for Kraft M&C and Velveeta. Develop new categories, manage cross-functional teams and direct reports, oversee stage-gate execution, consumer validation, packaging agency relationships, and translate syndicated data into actionable recommendations to drive brand and financial growth.
Summary Generated by Built In
Job Description

About Us 

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. 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. 

 

Our Culture of Ownership, Meritocracy & Collaboration 

We're not afraid to think differently. Embrace new ideas. Dream big. We empower our people at every level – from entry-level intern to senior leader – to own their work. We share a responsibility to think like Owners – to be mindful of the collective and sustained success of Kraft Heinz – which we apply to every situation, every day. As part of Kraft Heinz, you're supported to grow and achieve. You’re expected to bring your authentic self to work every day, to lead with humility, and drive outstanding performance at every level – and you’ll be rewarded. You’re given opportunities to leave a mark and build a legacy. But you won’t do it alone.  You’re supported by passionate teammates along the way, and our collective, collaborative spirit fuels our incredible progress. 

 

Job Description 

The Director, Innovation, M&C and Shelf Stable Meals will lead innovation development across several critical areas of responsibility, with a focus on building the long-term growth pipeline for Kraft M&C and Velveeta. 

This role will be responsible for: 

  • Leading expansion and whitespace opportunities for Kraft M&C and Velveeta, including building the 5-year innovation pipeline 

  • Developing new categories for Kraft M&C and Velveeta to bring growth plan ambitions to life 

  • partnering across multiple innovation teams at KHC, including Disruptive Innovation Pods, AFH, and Canada, as well as R&D, Operations, Brand Teams, and Finance 

  • Building strong, two-way cross-functional relationships that foster collaboration, idea-sharing, and effective execution 

  • Serving in a highly visible leadership role on the Meals Leadership Team while leading and developing a team of direct reports with a broad range of experience 

  • Managing the creation and validation of a multi-year innovation strategy rooted in meaningful consumer pain points 

  • Managing agency relationships for packaging design of new products and leading consumer validation in partnership with the Consumer Insights team 

  • Owning innovation through the stage gate process, providing visibility to senior leadership on opportunities and aligning stakeholders to next steps and tradeoffs 

  • Leveraging syndicated data sources to assess internal and competitor innovation performance, and translating insights into recommendations that drive business impact 

  • Bringing a consumer-first mindset to day-to-day decisions while protecting brand integrity and balancing financial and operational considerations 

 

Qualifications 

  • 10+ years of experience
  • Experience managing direct reports and setting strategic direct for a team 
  • Advanced experience in product management, brand management and managing a P&L 
  • Experience in cross-functional team management 
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills 
  • Ability to handle simultaneous projects and deliver within agreed upon time frames. 
  • Ability to effectively lead discussions and share vision with Executive level of KHC  

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:

$190,300.00 - $237,900.00

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

Long-Term Incentive (LTI): In addition to base salary and bonus, this role is eligible for additional compensation in the form of equity.

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

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer that prohibits discrimination or harassment of any type. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants who require an accommodation to participate in the job application or hiring process should contact [email protected].

Skills Required

  • 10+ years of experience
  • Experience managing direct reports and setting strategic direction for a team
  • Advanced experience in product management, brand management, and managing a P&L
  • Experience in cross-functional team management
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills
  • Ability to handle simultaneous projects and deliver within agreed upon time frames
  • Ability to effectively lead discussions and share vision with Executive level of KHC
Am I A Good Fit?
beta
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.

The Company
26,710 Employees
Year Founded: 1869

What We Do

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.

Similar Jobs

Zscaler Logo Zscaler

Sales Engineer

Cloud • Information Technology • Security • Software • Cybersecurity
Easy Apply
Remote or Hybrid
7 Locations
8697 Employees
171K-244K Annually

Chamberlain Group Logo Chamberlain Group

Revenue Operation Analyst

Automotive • Hardware • Internet of Things • Mobile • Software • App development • PropTech
Hybrid
Oak Brook, IL, USA
5769 Employees
77K-124K Annually
In-Office
Deerfield, IL, USA
2450 Employees
33K-46K Annually
Hybrid
Deerfield, IL, USA
2450 Employees
105K-169K Annually

Similar Companies Hiring

McCain Foods Thumbnail
Food • Retail • Agriculture • Manufacturing
Florenceville-Bristol, NB
20000 Employees
Munchkin, Inc. Thumbnail
Consumer Web • eCommerce • Food • Kids + Family • Design • Manufacturing
Milton, Ontario
325 Employees
Amalgamated Sugar Thumbnail
Food • Greentech • Agriculture • Industrial • Manufacturing
Boise, Idaho
768 Employees

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account