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This position has closed. Kraft Heinz removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 6, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Engineering Lead – Taste Elevation

Kraft Heinz · IL · Remote available · $141,500–$176,900 a year · Full time

Posted Oct 2, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 5, 2026

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a capital project that went over budget or late. What happened, and what did you change afterward?

What they are checking: Whether they own project misses honestly and turn them into better controls on later projects.

Tell me about a time you mentored a site engineer or project manager who was struggling with a big project.

What they are checking: Whether they build capability in others rather than taking over the work themselves.

What would you do

Food Safety, EHS, FM Global, roofing and PSM all want the same maintenance dollars. How do you prioritize?

What they are checking: Whether they can rank competing needs by risk and business impact and get cross-functional leads to accept the call.

A project manager asks to use contingency funds for scope that wasn't in the original request. How do you decide?

What they are checking: Whether they protect contingency for true risk and push scope creep through proper change control.

You need to give a North American committee a portfolio update and three projects are red. How do you present it?

What they are checking: Whether they report bad news clearly with a recovery plan rather than softening it for senior leaders.

About the work

Walk me through how you would build a multi-year Maintenance and Growth capital plan for a group of plants.

What they are checking: Whether they can turn site needs into a realistic, cash-flowed capital plan that holds up across several years.

How do you make sure new equipment is installed safely and meets food plant and company standards before it runs product?

What they are checking: Whether they know commissioning, sanitary design and safety sign-off steps that prevent problems at startup.

How would you plan a project so it doesn't cause an unplanned hit to production or customer service?

What they are checking: Whether they plan outages, tie-ins and cutovers around the business instead of letting construction drive the schedule.

What does lean construction or teaming mean to you in practice on a plant project?

What they are checking: Whether they know practical lean project methods that cut waste and rework, not just the vocabulary.

How do you work with the Fixed Asset team to keep CWIP under control?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the finance side of capital, including closing out projects and capitalizing assets on time.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Kraft Heinz from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Kraft Heinz.

Job Description Essential Functions & Responsibilities Capital Planning & Budgeting: • Working with global zones sites, SCD and the capital PMO drive the multi-year and annual Maintenance and Growth capital planning process for assigned sites / manufacturing POD. Collaboratively work to prioritize the Maintenance budget across the cross functional team including Food Safety & Quality, EHS, External Suppliers, FM Global, Roofing, PSM, Manufacturing and Supply Chain leads. Ensure capital plans are obtainable, projects do not have unplanned impact to operations/service, and capital and expense cash flows are planned. • Accountable for the health, compliance and successful delivery of Maintenance and Growth projects within assigned plants / manufacturing POD. • Ensure safe construction practices are followed and new equipment installed is safe, effective and in compliance with KHC and applicable industry standards. • ​Mentor site Engineering and Capital Project Managers on using lean construction teaming, quality, safety, cost and delivery techniques. • ​Approve project change control request and use of contingency or supplemental funds. • ​Prepare and provide portfolio status reports to Global and North American committees. • ​Work with Fixed Asset team monitoring and controlling CWIP. Project Management: • ​ Lead capital projects consisting of both internal and external partner firms and professionals to achieve approved project objectives from conceptual design through vertical startup. Project objectives include safety, asset or system capability or capacity, budget, schedule, and compliance. • ​Define and decide the final project budgets and schedules. Lead the Capital Appropriations Requests (CARs) submission serving as the speaker, advocate to capital investment committees. • ​Determines the project structure, resource needs and associated skills to successfully execute the project securing external resources when appropriate to deliver investments per the agreed timing and scope. • ​Ensure compliance to safety and environmental policies, procedures, and work rules for project personnel, contractors, and subcontractors from design through operational verification. • ​Develops a risk management strategy for the project and implements associated processes and tools to ensure effective identification, monitoring and mitigation of project risk. • ​Develop and maintain effective communication with project team, governance teams, business partners and other stakeholders. Prepares and provides routine progress reports ensuring sponsors and stakeholders remain informed throughout the life of the project. • ​Implement robust project and financial controls, including procedures for change control / management, cost control / forecasting, physical progress / productivity measurement, and invoice review / payment. • ​Ensure overall commissioning and vertical start-up aligns with the agreed handover strategy and the committed operations forecast. Capital Appropriation Requests (CAR) • ​​Audits, health checks • ​Work with PMO, Global / International on KHMS updates. Management System (Kraft Heinz Management System internally - KHMS) • Audits, health checks • Work with PMO, Global / International on KHMS updates. ​Project Management Standards, Tools • ​ Work with PMO in driving continuous improvement of capital project management activities for all KHC entities, and initiative projects to improve capital business process. • ​Develop and share best practices and key performance indicators (KPI's) to drive optimal Capex Management and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). • ​Build, maintain and administer on-boarding and training to site and network Engineering and Capital Project Managers. • ​Work with plant teams to develop cost savings opportunities and convert the prioritized ideas into projects. ​Performance & Talent Management • ​ Manage, coach, mentor direct & indirect reports including on-going feedback and annual reviews. • ​Work closely with Engineering, Technical Services, and HR partners to develop team members and help them reach career goals. Provide inputs, suggestions, and feedback on development plans to help your team members reach the next level. • ​Accountable for organizational change management and pulling in cross functional partners (HR) where needed. ​ Knowledge Management: • ​Ensure projects are aligned with the appropriate technical solutions while meeting cost targets and supporting project goals • ​Support Post Implementation Reviews (PIRs) to ensure change has been embedded into the Ways of Working. ​ Customer and Contractor / Vendor Management: • ​Partner with procurement early in project development to align sourcing strategy with scope, schedule and budget objectives. • ​Ensure the project has clearly defined technical requirements and specs to enable competitive, accurate bidding. • ​Along with procurement, lead key bid evaluations using KHC tools.​ Expected Experience & Required Skills • ​​​Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from an accredited engineering school or related field is required. • ​Experience in engineering, project management and /or technical leadership across multiple sites. Prior experience with a in plant technical role (Operations, Maintenance, Plant Engineering) is preferred. • ​PMP certificate strongly preferred. • ​Experience with strategic and annual capital planning. • ​Strong background in process and packaging equipment for the food industry and / or plant facility engineering and maintenance including building construction and components, building utilities, mechanical and electrical systems, ammonia refrigeration systems, electrical controls systems, computer applications, facility support equipment, and water and wastewater systems. • ​Demonstrated ability to Direct/Lead/Manage cross functional teams on large capital project/programs of $20MM or more. • ​Understanding of capital financial and manufacturing Key Performance Indicators. • ​Ability to work in matrix environment. • ​Proficient understanding of project management practices; including project initiating, planning, execution, monitoring/controlling, and closeout. • ​Working knowledge of pre-design and pre-construction, building systems/components and technology, contract management, project delivery methods and team building. • ​Hands on experience in the negotiation and management of contracts and agreements with engineering contractors, vendors, regulatory and government agencies. • ​Experience reading and understanding construction drawings (Architectural, Mechanical, Electrical, Process, Plumbing, Structural, Fire) and construction specifications. • ​Excellent verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills required.​​ Work Environment & Schedule This position is considered a Field based environment; role requires frequent travel to customer locations, stores, manufacturing facilities, etc. Additionally, this role requires willingness to travel to locations outside of home state for extended periods (up to 50%) as needed and the demonstrated ability to work remotely with little supervision. Ability to work to flexible schedule including days, afternoons, nights and overtime as needed. Physical Requirements • This role requires inspection of sites to detect safety concerns. Occasional need to scale heights and traversal of workplace. • Must be able to complete tasks in a noisy environment. 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) Employee's Home - Geo 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.