Jobs › Kraft Heinz

Sr Sci, R&D Product Dev (Meals)

Kraft Heinz · Glenview, IL · $89,800–$112,200 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 17, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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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 meal product you commercialized from start to finish. What was the hardest part?

What they are checking: Whether they have truly led a launch through commercialization with minimal guidance.

Tell me about a time a plant trial failed. What did you do next?

What they are checking: Whether they stay calm, learn from the data and adjust quickly.

Tell me about a time you brought an innovative solution to a problem others thought was routine.

What they are checking: Whether they bring fresh thinking while still delivering results.

How do you keep marketing, operations and quality aligned during a launch?

What they are checking: Whether they collaborate across functions in a fast-moving environment.

What would you do

How would you renovate a mature brand like Kraft Dinner to improve product superiority?

What they are checking: Whether they connect consumer insight to technical changes that keep loyal buyers happy.

You have five projects, from simple to complex, all due this quarter. How do you prioritize?

What they are checking: Whether they can rank work by business impact and communicate tradeoffs.

How do you work with a licensed brand like Taco Bell differently from an owned brand?

What they are checking: Whether they understand partner approval and brand standards add steps to development.

About the work

What makes a shelf-stable pasta sauce or soup technically challenging to develop?

What they are checking: Whether they understand thermal processing, viscosity and ingredient stability in meals.

How do you handle Canadian labeling and regulatory requirements when developing a product?

What they are checking: Whether they know regulatory steps matter for Canadian launches and plan for them early.

What steps in commercialization do you never skip?

What they are checking: Whether they have deep knowledge of the commercialization process, as the posting requires.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Kraft Heinz.

Job Description Senior Scientist Product Development - Meals This is a Research and Development (R&D) role leading Product Development initiatives for Canada under the  M eals  portfolio of brands, such as Kraft Dinners, Classico, Taco Bell, Heinz soups, and  Crave . The candidate will be leading and driving technical projects to drive growth, product/pack superiority, and future  proofs  brands through innovative solutions. The Senior Scientist candidate should have a proven record of successfully leading, executing, and commercializing projects ranging in technical complexity with minimal guidance, and getting results in a variety of challenging and complex settings. The candidate should have experience leading business initiatives while  exhibiting  a collaborative approach and applying innovative solutions.  Strong communication  and collaboration skills are essential in this role, which  operates  in a dynamic and cross-functional environment. What's  on the menu? • Project Management: Leads development and execution across multiple projects ranging from low to high technical complexity for the business unit • Manage multiple assignments/research projects concurrently and  possess  the ability to prioritize between a variety of business initiatives • Commercialization: Deep knowledge of commercialization processes and  required  activities as the technical/R&D lead. Ability to troubleshoot challenges. • Collaboration: Work with cross functional teams acting as the lead product developer to drive execution across multiple projects • Communication: Provide updates to cross-functional teams;  Identify  hurdles and propose solutions • Use strategy to guide technology choices and unlock innovative solutions • Translate research findings into meaningful business objectives • Champion an innovation approach and exhibit influence on the cross functional partners • Mentor,  coach  and collaborate with other colleagues within and outside of your immediate team • Demonstrate the ability to develop relationships with and coordinate commercialization activities across internal and external manufacturing facilities. • Lead and complete product testing, qualification, and commercialization in laboratory and production environments Recipe for Success - apply now if this sounds like you! Bachelor’s Degree, Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering • Meals  experience preferred which can include formulation and processing experience with pasta, pasta sauce, frozen meals, and shelf-stable soups. • Skilled in basic processing equipment and ability to develop benchtop prototypes and scale to commercial operation. • 4+ years Product Development and commercialization experience within a CPG or equivalent • Project management experience, technical  expertise , and food science/processing knowledge • Excellent communication, influencing, project management and  problem solving  skills • Highly motivated and able to multi- task  varying degrees of complex projects • Willingness/ability to learn new product categories and/or processing areas • Willingness to travel up to 30%. Travel could include (but not limited to): United States and Canada to internal plants, co-manufacturers, and suppliers. • Experience delivering consumer  centric , innovative solutions. • Demonstrated ability to influence, manage multiple projects concurrently with the ability to prioritize work, and solve problems effectively. • Brings an entrepreneurial spirit and growth mindset • Ability to manage through ambiguity. 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: $89,800.00 - $112,200.00 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) 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.

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